Once she has the money in her hands, I have Johnny see her out. More than likely I’ll see her again, when I’m forced to go after her for the money she owes me, until I know she has nothing left to give. Will I actually drag her here to work for me? Hell no. I prefer all my woman to come willingly, but if she knows that, she won’t even bother to attempt to pay me back. More than likely, she’ll lose her house then she’ll sell her car. Soon after that, she’ll rack up whatever credit cards she has. After she’s gone down all those avenues, she’ll borrow money from her family or a close friend, and once she’s out of options and she’s hit rock bottom—because they always do—Don will have to take over. Either way, I’ll be getting my money back with interest. Because unlike Ashley, who has no idea what she got herself into, Don knows I don’t fuck around. I have a reputation to protect, and in the business I’m in, your reputation is all you have.
I’m Giovanni Valentino, and my family runs one of the most powerful crime organizations in Italy as well as Nevada, and I run one of the most exclusive brothels in the United States. I am also one of the biggest loan sharks on the West Coast.
My grandfather, Joe Valentino, is now retired and lives in Italy with my younger brother, Mario, who runs a hotel and restaurant over there. My other brother, Nico, runs the hotels and casinos here in Las Vegas while my father and his adopted brother Stefan, who is Cecilia’s dad, deal with the underground aspects of the business, which includes the illegal gambling as well as the exporting and importing of various contraband. We knew from an early age our grandfather and father were powerful men. This life we live is not for the weak.
My brothers and I are spaced two years apart. Me, the eldest at thirty-two years old, Mario at thirty, and Nico is the youngest at twenty-eight. Our poor mother had her hands full raising three boys growing up in the organization while trying to be the perfect mob boss’s wife, but she knew from the beginning what she was getting herself into. She was working in one of the bordellos my father owned in Italy before he sold them and moved here. According to her, he saved her life and in return, she keeps her ears covered, eyes closed, and cheek turned pretending my father is the perfect husband. When the truth is, while he might be the perfect boss and businessman, he is a horrible fucking husband by normal standards. I don’t doubt he loves my mother in his own fucked up way, but he has no idea how to be faithful, and she chooses to let it all go and accept him the way he is because he makes sure she’s taken care of the only way he knows how.
My mother wants for nothing when it comes to materialistic possessions. She belongs to country clubs and takes vacations whenever she wants to. But it’s all given to make up for the fact that my father’s only true loyalty is to the Valentino organization. While she’s busy being the perfect wife at their home in Summerlin, a community in between the bordello and Vegas, he’s out running the organization and getting his dick wet all over Vegas. Her life is put at risk every day, and everywhere she goes, she’s accompanied by bodyguards—we all are. It’s always been our way of life, and I don’t know any other way.
Which is why I made the decision early on to never get married. My mom claims I’m being dramatic. She says I’m still young and will change my mind one day, but when I see the emptiness in her eyes she’s in denial of, I know I’m making the right decision. I could never do that to someone. The people we bring into our lives are always at risk. My grandmother was shot going to the corner market in Italy by another organization. My mother has been in life threatening situations too many times to count. I would never want someone I love to be in harm’s way for choosing to be with me. Just because it’s the life I was born into doesn’t mean I’m going to willingly bring someone else into this life.
Besides, why would I want to settle on one piece of ass forever when I can have any woman I want, any time I want? Who wants to eat the same food every day? It’s human nature to want variety. My dad chose to get married so he could have a family, but instead of spending his life being the man my mom deserves, he’s spent their entire marriage cheating on her. I’d rather stay single and not have to remain faithful to any one woman or be responsible for her wellbeing. I’ll leave it up to my brothers to pass down the Valentino name.
I grab my jacket from the back of my chair, throw it on, and head to the holding cell to deal with the senator. Caesar—one of my bodyguards—joins me on my way down the hall. “I saw her, Boss. She’s pretty fucked up.” My fists tighten at my sides as I stalk toward the holding cell. I’m going to kill this motherfucker.
It’s as if he reads my mind. “You know you can’t kill him.” Caesar grabs ahold of my shoulder, pulling me back before I open the door.
“What do you mean I can’t kill him?” I’ll be damned if this piece of shit lives to hurt another fucking woman.
“This shit needs to be handled properly. He’s the senator and running for reelection, and he owes you a shit ton of money.”
“I don’t give a fuck about the money!”
“You make him disappear and questions will be raised. You don’t want that attention, especially while you’re in the middle of negotiations with the Lorenzo family.” He’s right about that. I have enough cops in my pocket to make shit go away if need be, but I’d be pushing my luck if shit goes down with the Lorenzos. We’re in the middle of renegotiating the terms of our agreement and they aren’t exactly known for compromising.
I swing the door open to find Rome—another one of my enforcers—standing over Senator Weston Hightower. Weston’s fists are raised and bound together with a steel chain that’s hooked in the ceiling. For a man in his late fifties, he’s in decent shape. Gray hair trimmed neatly, probably from the stress of trying to keep control of a state which can’t be controlled. He’s shirtless and there are several nail markings covering his chest. The entire room is nothing but concrete and is completely empty.
“I heard you hurt one of my girls tonight, Hightower.” I get in his face, looking him right into his frightful eyes.
“I-I didn’t mean to…” He stutters over his words, terrified. Bet he wasn’t stuttering when he was hurting Natalie. It’s so easy for a man to exude his power and strength over a woman, but just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
“Didn’t mean to do what, exactly?” Placing my hand on his throat, I squeeze his jugular just enough so it cuts off his airflow.
“Hurt her.” His voice is raspy from the lack of oxygen and that has me grinning on the inside.
“Rome, what exactly did the senator do to my girl?” I squeeze his throat tighter, causing his face to turn a light shade of red. Most people don’t know this, but it takes more than a good squeeze to kill someone. It takes several minutes of completely cutting off their oxygen before the body gives up and the heart stops pumping.
“He choked her with his belt, Boss.”
I look down at his pants and see his belt is missing. “And?”
“A gun, Sir.”
My head whips around to Rome, keeping my hand around the senator’s throat. “What the do you mean, a gun? Did he shoot her?” I take my gun out from the back of my waistband and point it directly at Weston’s forehead, while choking him harder. His chest is rising and falling faster than before, his heart working overtime to keep him alive since he’s lacking the oxygen needed to breathe properly.