Prologue

Demi

W hat do you get the Mafia Don for his birthday? The only thing I can think of is not exactly a thing, it's a who. Ghost. He's a two-faced, double-crossing, slimy little snake and the perfect gift for Daddy Jay this year. If I can get rid of this little problem for my Italian stallion, then we can spend some much needed time together somewhere far away, warm, and on a beach in Italy. A one-way trip home sounds especially nice.

I laugh. It's all too perfect. When a little bird told me Edward was looking for girls to auction off at his annual event, I started to concoct a diabolical plan for revenge. For weeks I waited for my informant to tell me that Ghost cleared his application and was validated as a bidder.

My phone chimes, it's a new message with the application to be auctioned attached. What a good little bird Cecile is. We all know good little birdies get rewarded. In her case, she'll be accompanying us on our one-way trip to Italy. My tongue darts out to wet my lips. I'm determined to make the big four-oh, an extra special day for Daddy Jay . If I play my cards right, and I will, that won't be the only big ‘O' of the weekend. The diabolical giggle rolls off my lips smoothly as I think about everything I could do to the motherfucking Ghost. Besides, take his money and send him six feet under. My lips curl up at the thought of slicing him open to watch him bleed. Jay isn't the only one who has a personal vendetta against him. He took Jay's twin brother from him, his business partner, and best friend. Thinking about it erupts a white hot rage that pulses through my body. A tear threatens to escape and I pinch the bridge of my nose. I will carry out justice; occhio per occhio, an eye for an eye.