Chapter One

Adriana

At twenty years old, I had become someone unrecognizable from the innocent girl I once was. The past four years had hardened me, each day a step closer to avenging my father’s death. Every smile I gave, every drink I served, was part of a carefully constructed facade. I was no longer Adriana Gorga, the girl who lost everything. Now, I was Adriana Grimaldi, making bank as one of the city’s best bartenders.

However, I’d always known that getting close to the Capuzzo family wouldn't be easy. It had taken years of planning, sacrifice, and waiting for the right opportunity. I had reinvented myself completely, shedding my past and adopting a new identity. Adriana Grimaldi was a facade, a beautiful, captivating mask I wore to hide the pain and fury that simmered beneath the surface.

When I heard about the Velvet Room, I knew it would be the perfect place to gather information about the elusive mafia boss. The man would be difficult to locate, for starters. Getting past his goons would be another story. The club itself was a hotspot for the city's elite, a place where deals were made, and secrets were shared. It was also owned by the Capuzzo family, making it a prime target for my infiltration. The first step would be getting a job there. I wanted it so badly I could taste it. However, the Velvet Room had a reputation for being exclusive, a den of sin and secrets, and their hiring process was notoriously selective. Getting hired there wouldn’t be easy, even though I’d developed a good reputation around town for my work ethic, speed, and showmanship tossing bottles in the air like they were the soft toys of child’s play.

That's when I met Vince. He was one of the bartenders at the Velvet Room, a man with a reputation for being sleazy but well-connected. I had seen him around the neighborhood a few times, always with a drink in hand even when he wasn’t working and a lecherous smile on his face. I knew he was my way in, but I also knew it would come at a cost. I’d never been with a man before, but if what I wanted came at the price of my virginity, I was willing to sell.

The night I approached Vince, I was determined to do whatever it took. After shimmying into a barely-there dress that left little doubt as to my assets, I found him at a local dive bar, nursing a whiskey on the rocks and chatting up a couple of young women. I waited until he was alone before making my move, sliding onto the barstool next to him and flashing him a smile.

"Hey, Vince," I said, letting my voice drop into a sultry tone. "Got a minute?"

He looked me up and down, his smile widening. "Adriana Grimaldi. For you, pretty girl, always. What can I do for you?"

"I've been thinking," I began, leaning closer so that he could get a view of my cleavage. "I really want to work at the Velvet Room like you. It’s the hottest place in town and I know I could get more tips there. But I heard it's tough to get in. Do you think you could put in a good word for me?"

Vince's eyes gleamed with interest, and he licked his lips. "I might be able to help you out. But what's in it for me?"

I forced a seductive smile, ignoring the revulsion bubbling up inside me. "Why don't we discuss that in private?"

He didn't need any more convincing. After downing the rest of his drink in one gulp, he slapped a few bills on the shiny surface of the bar and rose from his stool, leading me out of the establishment with his hand placed possessively on my lower back. I discovered that his apartment building was located only two blocks away and I teetered on my heels during the short walk there to make him think I’d had too much drink. Let him believe I was just another na?ve, stupid girl who didn’t really know what she was getting herself into instead of using him as a means to an end that had nothing to do with a job. What would happen next would be a necessary evil, another sacrifice I had to make to get closer to Carmine Capuzzo.

Alone in the elevator, Vince grabbed me roughly and pulled me to him, cupping my ass cheek and giving it a squeeze. I could feel his dick harden against my thigh. He nuzzled my ear. “Show me how much you want to work at the Velvet Room, sweetheart.”

I rubbed his length beneath the fabric of his pants. “I’ve got a secret,” I whispered. “This will be my first time. You don’t mind, do you?”

Vince sucked in his breath and his cock got even harder. “Baby, if that’s true, you’re gonna make my night. Maybe my life.”

“It is,” I purred. With a boldness I hoped won’t fade before the deed was done, I dropped to my knees, grabbing his belt buckle to undo it.

He pushed me away. “Wait, wait, wait. Slow down, little girl. We haven’t even gotten to my place yet. Don’t want the doors of this thing to open and give some kid a show, do we?”

I grinned. “Whatever you want.”

“Jesus, that’s hot,” he said, running a hand through his greased-back black hair, making it stand on end. The elevator slowed to a stop and the steel doors rolled open.

Grabbing my hand, Vince hurried me down the carpeted hallway. Pausing at his door, I shifted from foot to foot while he retrieved his key from his jacket pocket and fumbled with the lock. Finally, the door swung open, and he led me inside the darkened interior of his apartment. The lights of the city at night streamed in through the uncovered windows, throwing the furniture into relief. Without another word, he took me into his arms, his movements confident and sure. The world spun as he twirled me, and I found myself pressed back against the cool surface of the door, his body a firm line against mine. His knee slid between my thighs, a bold move that elicited an involuntary gasp from my lips.

“Is this okay?” he asked, a hint of playfulness in his tone.

“Y-yes,” I stammered. But then his tongue traced the seam of my lips, seeking entrance, and I lost myself to the sensation. I opened to him, inviting him in, and the kiss deepened, igniting fires I didn’t know could burn within me.

“God you’re beautiful,” he said huskily, stepping back and letting his eyes roam over me.

I stared out the window behind him, looking out on the darkened cityscape, refusing to look at him. Traffic streamed over the curving freeways like swarms of fireflies.

“Your body is perfect. Did anyone ever tell you that before?” He was breathing heavily now. “I can’t wait to find out what you’ve got under that dress.”

Placing his hand on my decollete, he began to trace my neckline with his fingertips.

I wanted to pull away. I wanted to slap him. I wanted to get out of the room. But I did none of those things. The golden ring was so close. I could almost feel the metal in my grasp.

His hand moved to my breast and squeezed ever-so-gently. “Do you like that? Tell me you like that.”

My throat went dry. If I was going to do this, then I’d let him get his rocks off and go home to try to forget this ever happened.

I murmured my assent.

Bending his head, he began to kiss my neck, his tongue snaking over my skin.

“You do like this, don’t you, Adriana.” Vince whispered. “I promise to make this worth your while. You may even enjoy this if you relax. I can help you.”

Pulling back, he took my hand in his. “Why are you shaking? Do I make you nervous?” He moved his thumb in small circular movements over my skin. “There. There. This should be fun. It’s a win-win situation, Adriana.”

I pulled my hand out of his grip. But I didn’t move away. My head was spinning.

He reached for it again and continued to rub it gently, silently. The feeling was surprisingly soothing. “Come closer.”

And just like that, I did as he commanded, following orders like a child obeying an adult.

“Closer.”

I move closer still.

“Good girl. Now sit with me.”

He moved to a chair, pulling me onto his lap.

“Breathe. Breathe. There you go. Deep breath in. Now let it out slowly.” He did it with me, our chests rising and falling in rhythm. As we continued to breathe, he steadily worked his fingers along the back of my dress, pulling the zipper down slowly.

All I could think was please just take me. Take me now.

Vince slid the sleeves of my dress down my arms and off, letting it pool around my waist. He bit his bottom lip as he stared at my breasts.

“Fucking hell, you’re sexy!”

I swallowed at the feel of his hard bulge beneath my thigh.

He bent his head, putting his lips on the outside of my lace-covered bra. “I want you so fucking bad.”

My nipples stood to attention as he rubbed his face over my bra. “There we go. There’s my pretty girl.”

Flicking his tongue over the bare flesh of my chest and neck, he slid his fingers under my bra and pinched my nipples hard. The sensation sent chills through me, instantly making me wet. He pulled hard, looking at me with a smile in his eyes. Then, one more hard tug until a noise escaped me that was somewhere between a moan and a painful-but-in-a-good-way groan.

Reaching one hand behind my back, he then deftly unhooked my bra. I felt beads of sweat breaking out over my forehead.

“You’re flushed, baby,” he said in a raspy whisper. “Come.”

Lifting me into his arms, he carried me into a small bedroom down the hall and threw me onto the bed, ripping the rest of my dress down my legs and tossing it into a corner.

Then he was on top of me, whispering how much he wanted me while he unbuckled his belt and removed his pants. Like an out of body experience, I watched him undress completely. My thong was the only thing between us now.

“You’ve got such a fuckable ass. If you weren’t a virgin, I’d fuck it right now.” His voice was low and raw, sending shivers down my spine. I gasped, feeling the roughness of his touch as he plucked at my nipples again.

“I can’t wait to get my dick inside of you,” he murmured close to my ear, his breath hot and heavy against my neck. “I’ve never had a virgin before. I bet you taste good too. I’m definitely going down on you before I fuck you. I want to taste your sweet juices all over my tongue.”

His fingers moved the thin fabric of my panties off and he began to stroke my slit, curling up and over my nub. With his other hand he spread my legs wider apart. “You’re so wet. I know you want this.”

The moment his tongue met the sensitive flesh at my core, I gasped, a jolt of pleasure shooting through me despite myself. My body was responding to his touch in ways I’d only dreamt of, but never experienced. I hadn’t considered the fact that I might actually enjoy the act of sex itself, even though I felt nothing for the man who currently had his face in my pussy. I threaded my fingers through his hair, guiding him, urging him on without words as my back arched off the soft bedding. He found a rhythm that had my toes curling,

He lifted himself up, hovered over me, and stared straight into my eyes. “Do you see what you do to me?” He signaled for me to look at his engorged cock. “That’s for you.”

I licked my lips instinctively.

“Fuck me, Vince. Now.”

Growling, he pushed his dick inside me. I moaned, arching my back, allowing him to go deeper. A second later, he pulled out and waited. “Are you ready for more?”

“Yes,” I said breathlessly.

Pushing hard into me again, he kept going, over and over again.

He was so deep inside me; I couldn’t be still. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. Every ounce of me was tingling, pulsing with heat and energy towards something just beyond reach.

He stopped suddenly. “What’s wrong? I’m not hurting you, am I?”

I gulped. I grabbed his hips and pulled him toward me again. “No, nothing’s wrong. I’m just…getting used to it.”

He grinned and reached up to stroke my hair. “That’s it, baby. Practice makes progress.” He moved inside me again while simultaneously licking and biting my nipples. My body was contorting in ways I didn’t know it could.

I finished before he did, my body practically levitating off the bed with the powerful spasms. I was drenched in sweat, my heart practically pounding out of my chest.

He came then, his cum filling my core and spilling down my inner thighs.

“I knew you were a good girl, Adriana,” he whispered when he was done. “I’ll pass your name along to the man in charge at the club and see what I can do for you.”

***

Vince was true to his word. He spoke to Ignacio, the manager at the Velvet Room, and a few days later, I was offered a position as a server. I should have known I wouldn’t get a bartending gig; Vince certainly hadn’t talked up my skills in the kitchen. But I played my part well, charming the patrons, keeping my head down, and listening for any useful information. Every night, I carried a knife in my pocket, hoping that one day I would get the chance to use it. I’d been working at the club six months though, and there was still no sign of Carmine Capuzzo. However, I was keenly aware of the hulking presence of the bodyguards standing at every entrance and doorway of the club, flexing their enormous biceps and straining the dark fabric of their shirts.

Tonight, the air was thick with the usual haze of smoke and alcohol. The music pulsed through the dimly lit room, mingling with laughter and the clinking of glasses. I moved through the crowd, balancing a tray of drinks with practiced ease. My uniform, a tight black dress, clung to my curves, designed to draw the eyes of the patrons.

I realized quickly that the Velvet Room was a place of decadence and danger, where the city's elite came to lose themselves. The patrons were a mix of businessmen, politicians, and criminals, all looking for a taste of something forbidden. The dancers moved sensually on stage, their bodies illuminated by the soft, colored lights. The air was filled with the scent of expensive perfume, cigar smoke, and the underlying hint of desperation.

"Adriana," a gruff voice called from behind me. I turned to see Ignacio, the club’s manager, standing with his arms crossed, his expression serious. Ignacio was a tall, imposing figure with a shaved head and thick beard. He rarely spoke to the servers unless it was something important.

"Yes, Ignacio?" I replied, keeping my voice neutral.

"You’re needed in VIP," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Mr. Capuzzo stopped in tonight. You'll be assigned to his table only. Make sure you take good care of him."

My heart skipped a beat. This was the opportunity I had been waiting for. "Mr. Capuzzo" could only mean one person: Carmine Capuzzo, the man who had murdered my father. This was my chance to get close to him, to finally exact my revenge.

"Of course," I said, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice. "I'll make sure he has everything he needs."

Ignacio nodded. "Follow me."

I followed him through the crowd to a closed door to the left of the main stage. He nodded to the bodyguard there, a giant of a man wearing a heavy gold chain, who stepped dutifully aside, opening the door for us. Ignacio led me up a set of stairs to the VIP section. The atmosphere changed as we ascended, the noise of the main floor fading into a more subdued, exclusive ambiance. The lighting was dimmer, the furniture more luxurious. This was where the real power players came to play.

The private area was definitely designed to impress. Plush velvet couches lined the walls, and the tables were adorned with fine crystal and silver. The lighting was low, creating an intimate and private atmosphere. It would be the perfect place for the city's elite to conduct their business away from prying eyes.

Ignacio stopped in front of a heavy, velvet curtain. "Remember," he said, looking me in the eye. "Do not disappoint Mr. Capuzzo."

"I won't," I promised.

He pulled back the curtain and ushered me inside. The room was spacious, with plush seating and a large, polished table in the center. A single man sat at the table, facing away from me. The room was dark, the only light coming from a few scattered candles.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to do. My hand slipped into the pocket of my dress, fingers curling around the hilt of the knife I carried with me for this purpose. I moved quietly, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it.

I approached the man from behind, my steps silent on the thick carpet. When I was close enough, I pulled out the knife.

"This is for Giuseppe Gorga," I hissed, holding it to his throat and pressing the blade firmly against his skin.