Prologue

Prologue

New York City - 1922

Clara

My best friend was marrying a mob boss' son.

Heck, she was the granddaughter of another mob boss. All things she'd kept from me, but I wasn't holding it against her. I wouldn't want to admit being Don Bianco's granddaughter, either. He was a real bad egg. Hailey was a good girl; all she wanted to do was help people, just like me.

Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to get her out of her marriage. I'd already tried once, and all I'd gotten for my troubles was Don DiNardo's nephew sniffing around my skirts. Granted, Giovanni DiNardo had a heck of an attractive mug, but I wasn't interested in becoming some gangster's moll.

I had better things to do.

Like saving Hailey from having to become a DiNardo…

But she wasn't making it easy on me.

"Oh my goodness, you look amazing!" I burst into the room where Hailey was getting ready, throwing my arms wide, as though I hadn't a care in the world. Rushing past Don DiNardo's guard dog, I ran up to Hailey, who looked totally stupefied.

She did look amazing, though. Her wedding dress was gorgeous, covered with lace and beads. It brought out the auburn in her hair against the stark white.

I threw my arms around her in a big hug, smirking because I knew the men behind me were buying my act. They all did. Big blue eyes, pale blonde hair, legs for days, and no one ever took me seriously. It used to bug me, but now I used it to my advantage.

"Just say the word, and we'll do a bunk," I whispered in Hailey's ear, holding her tightly. "I have the car ready and everything."

Before any of the men behind me could get suspicious about the length of our hug, I stepped back from her, holding onto her hand as I looked her up and down. She really did make a stunning bride. Too bad I was pretty sure she didn't want to be one. The car really was outside, ready to go. If she said the word, I'd pull the gun I had tucked into my thigh holster and shove her out the third window on the right.

It was a bit of a fall since we were on the second story, but I'd done what I could to hide a mattress behind the big bush in the garden. As long as it was still there, we'd probably be okay. At the very least, we should be able to make it to the car on time.

The cab was waiting just around the corner with the meter running. Don DiNardo's cash stash was a little lighter than it had been the night before, though I wasn't sure he knew it yet. Normally, I spread the funds around a little more, but I figured saving Hailey from the mob was a worthwhile cause.

Beaming at her, I squeezed her hand.

"You are the most beautiful bride!"

She stared at me, a horrified expression on her face. "What are you doing here?"

Good grief, she had no acting skills. She was not at all prepared for this life. At least she hadn't blown my cover by asking about the car. I hadn't expected her to be this frozen, though. I thought she'd be a little quicker on her feet.

"Clara is your maid of honor. Every bride needs one." As her grandfather spoke, Hailey's head jerked up to look at him.

Now, he didn't need any lessons in acting. His tone was the perfect blend of caring grandfather doing a favor for his granddaughter mixed with menace. Yeah, yeah, you're a big bad mob boss, we get it. He'd be the second person I shot if Hailey decided to make a run for it.

I wished I could make him the first, but the big bruiser beside him at the door was the bigger threat. Physically, her grandfather wasn't much of a danger but I would shoot him for the sheer satisfaction of it. Granted, going on the run from mobsters wasn't something I wanted to do, but I would for Hailey. I already had the route south planned out. We could go to Washington D.C., where the mob hadn't gotten a foothold, and set up shop there.

Eventually, I'd probably have to take care of Don Bianco, if I didn't get him with the first shot, but that's what friends were for.

"Thank you so much for coming," Hailey said, looking into my eyes. Her gaze brimmed with emotions. I could see her fear and also her determination. "I'll appreciate having a friend with me at the altar." She squeezed my fingers.

Well, I'd appreciate it if she took my offer seriously. Before I could figure out a sneaky way to tell her it was legit, there really was a car, and that she was making the wrong choice, her grandfather was already speaking.

"Come on, it's time." Don Bianco made it sound so sinister.

I placed the biggest smile I could on my face as I turned around to face him. Maybe another opportunity would come up for Hailey to make a run for it. Or maybe she'd come to her senses after she'd said her vows.

Granted, I really didn't want to totally piss off two mob families, but if I had to shoot the DiNardo heir, too, then that's what I would do.

Unfortunately, she didn't come to her senses.

The ceremony went by, then the reception, and Hailey barely glanced at me, much less gave me an opportunity to talk to her by herself. Though she wasn't as sanguine as she was pretending—my girl had a knife hidden away in her bouquet. I couldn't see her using it, but desperate times called for desperate measures. Maybe she had more of a ruthless streak than I thought.

She was Don Bianco's granddaughter, after all.

At least the food at the reception was good. I didn't eat much, though, as I kept an eye on Hailey and Jack, her new husband.

"Excuse me. May I have this dance?"

The deep voice sent tingles up my spine. I'd been aware of his approach, though I'd pretended otherwise.

I turned my head, widening my eyes as if in surprise.

"Gio. How nice to see you again. I'd love to dance." I hopped up, beaming at him like the dizzy girl he thought I was. I'd met him the night he and Jack had come to fetch Hailey. He'd done his best to distract me—and he was very distracting—while Jack pursued Hailey.

At the time, I hadn't realized what was going on, or I would have gotten us out of there. I'd recognized him, but I hadn't known they were there for Hailey.

I'd actually been quite sure they were there for me, that they'd realized I was the thief they'd been looking for.

It hadn't taken me long to realize they didn't suspect me at all.

Holding out his hand, Gio smiled as I took it, though the smile didn't quite reach his eyes. I wasn't sure his smiles ever did. None that I had seen so far. He was a cold man, possibly even a cruel one, yet my body lit up like a match every time he was close.

"What a beautiful wedding it was," I said with a happy sigh as he pulled me onto the dance floor.

Of course, the music changed as he did so, going from a swinging beat to a smooth, slow one. Gio didn't look at the band, but somehow, I knew he'd arranged it that way. Call it feminine instinct.

I beamed up at him as he put his arms around me, still acting like I hadn't any more sense than a squirrel. Sadly, the little shiver that went through my body when I felt his hand against the small of my back didn't require any acting. He was big and scary, and he made me want to melt and do wicked, delightful things that I'd only ever read about.

"Didn't you think it was beautiful?" I asked when he didn't answer. He loomed over me, so much taller and broader, making me feel petite and cute. I hated it and loved it at the same time. He wasn't trying to intimidate me right now, but I felt the difference in our sizes like a threat because I knew that size could easily be used against me.

But he doesn't suspect anything, so there's no reason for him to.

"Sure."

He was placating me, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Instead, I babbled at him about how beautiful everything was—the flowers, the dresses, the venue—while he swayed me around the dance floor. Whatever I could do to make him regret asking me to dance.

To my surprise, he kept his gaze on me the whole time. Was he actually listening to my nonsense? I didn't know how I felt about that.

"I hope Jack will be able to make her happy," I said, glancing over to where the two of them were standing together, speaking with guests. I looked up at Gio. "Do you think he'll make her happy?"

He grunted in reply.

I narrowed my eyes at him. I'd already established that I was protective of Hailey, so I didn't have to pretend I wasn't.

"He'd better make her happy."

Gio's lip curled up.

"Or else what?"

"Or I'll find a way to make him unhappy." I sniffed derisively. "I do still work for the police force, you know."

"I know. I'll make sure he does, too." For once, real amusement flashed through Gio's eyes.

Great, the only time I could put a genuine smile on his face was when I threatened him. Granted, threatening them with the force was a joke. I already knew Chief Barnes was in the Bianco family's pocket and had been for years. Still, it would be nice to get a little respect.

Except the whole point is to make him underestimate you.

One day, I would find someone who would actually see me and respect me for it.

Still, I was annoyed enough with Gio that I patted his chest when the song ended.

"Thanks for the dance," I said perkily, going up on my tiptoes like I was going to brush my lips against his. He was too tall, though, unless he bent his head down, which he didn't. It didn't matter. I'd gotten what I wanted. "It was nice."

Pulling away from him, I kept my hands in front of me as I sauntered off through the room. I didn't have to glance over my shoulder to know that he was watching me leave. Which was just fine. I wanted him focused on my backside and not on the pocket watch I was now hiding in my palm.

Men.

They were so easy sometimes.