ELEVEN YEARS AGO

Every future mafiaboss gets the opportunity to attend college. Some future mafia bosses do, and some don't. Even though you have the street smarts to run your family's enterprise, it's important to have a college education. And to have a little fun before you sit on the throne.

At twenty-three, my father made arrangements for me to court Norah Aiello. Her father, Torrance Aiello, had connections with suppliers my family didn't. Her father agreed to give us access to the suppliers upon me putting a promise ring on her finger. Right before I'd take the throne Norah and I would wed.

This hadn't been what I wanted. For a while, I thought about giving my brother the throne. That's how much I didn't desire the union. In our world, arranged marriages are common. However, the Pituccos had so many deals we didn't need this one.

Norah was beautiful on the outside, but her insides had to have been a pukish green color. I'd been sure of it. Her vile attitude and the way she had played up the princess to the throne shit didn't sit well with me.

Despite my efforts to avoid Norah, I couldn"t escape her watchful eye.

She had transferred from Harvard to Penn State with the sole purpose of keeping an eye on me.

Leaving the prestigious Harvard seemed like a crazy decision to me. Nora and my sister Natalia were in the same class at Harvard, both being twenty years old and part of the same group of friends. I couldn"t fathom how Natalia could be friends with her.

The audacity of this woman to monitor my actions. I'm a grown ass man and could choose to be with whoever I want. Our marriage would only be a business arrangement, after all.

As my fourth year of college progressed, I found myself attending classes less and less to avoid running into Norah. Even though I was supposed to graduate the previous year, I chose to prioritize partying instead.

Exiting chem class, I glared at the F at the top of my exam. I'm smarter than this. I'd attend my most important classes more often. A small figure rams into my chest.

"Sorry, I didn't see you," a soft voice says.

I take my eyes off the test and meet her chestnut brown eyes. It feels like all the air leaves my lungs as I stand there, cemented in place.

Her attire is much different from the other students. Everyone pretty much wears sweats, jeans, and t-shirts. She's wearing beige slacks, an oversized black sweater, and casual dress shoes. Her brown hair is pulled into a low bun. My gaze skates over her pecan face and those plump nude-colored lips.

I snap out of my trance. "Are you ok?"

Her brows shoot up. "Am I ok? I bumped into you."

I chuckle. "But I'm a big guy who's solid muscle."

She visibly swallows, and her tongue glides over her lower lip. I think she likes what she sees.

"I'm Nick and you are?"

"Late for class," she bites back.

"Ok, late for class. Have a good day."

She rolls her eyes. "The names Kinsley."

The beautiful ray of sunshine darts off down the hallway.

I peek at the door ahead and gesture for my bodyguard to approach.

"What's up, boss?"

"Axe, I want you to follow the young woman I was talking to. I also want to know her class schedule."

"Boss, I'm not supposed to leave you."

I nod. "Boulder's in the Yukon. I can make it from here to there."

His brows bunch together. "But if your father finds out."

"I'm the acting boss right now. And I'm giving you a direct fucking order to find out all you can about Kinsley."

He smooths a hand over his short brown hair.

"All right, boss." He stalks down the hallway toward Kinsley.

Shit, I can be such an asshole sometimes. He's just doing his job. If something happens to me, my father wouldn't give a fuck about my new obsession. My only obsession. How can I call her an obsession? I don't know her. But I want to know everything there is to know about her.

I can't wait to crush those plump lips.

"Hey you. Aren't you supposed to be in business finance class?" she asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

I glance over at Norah. She"s wearing skintight jeans and a pink tank top that barely covers her navel under a wool coat. She loves showing off her body whenever she can.

She links her arm through mine. "We"re getting takeout for dinner tonight. I have a test to study for."

Norah gives me a fake smile as we walk. "So what were you and Axe talking about?"

"Business," I reply sharply.

"I"ve already warned all the girls who stare at you in the cafeteria, student center, and library. They are not to even think about talking to my fiancé. If any of these idiots try to come between us, I"ll cut them open. They"ll all bow down to me when I"m sitting next to my husband on his throne. I can"t wait." An evil grin curls her lips as she stares out into space like she envisions sitting on the mafia throne.

Every other day, she talks about sitting at my side on the throne. She doesn't know I've started the process of becoming the boss because my father has had some health issues lately.

She reminds me of the Bertozzis. They're one of the five mafia families. The Magarellis, Espositos, Romanos, and the Pituccos make up the rest of the families. The other bosses and I hate the Bertozzis. They go against the mafia code whenever they handle business. And they have no problem killing women and children.

The other four families wouldn't harm the innocent.

I come to a sudden stop and turn to face her. "You need to mind your fucking business. I"ve told you countless times, who I sleep with is not your concern," I scoff and shake my head.

"You want the throne? Fine, take it. You"re like a rotten apple, all appearances on the outside, but nothing edible inside."

Her eyebrows furrow in anger. "How dare you speak to me like this?"

I narrow my eyes at her. "It"s easy when you talk about killing women who simply flirt with me from far away."

She runs a bright pink fingernail down my chest. "I mean it," she hisses, her voice dripping with venom. "Nobody will stop me."

***P***

Kinsley had been hard to pin down. Three times Kinsley refused to go out with me. She said her studies were most important. I promise if she agrees to go out with me, I won't keep her out late.

I drive us to a little Italian restaurant that's about twenty minutes away from Penn State. Keeping my eyes off her is impossible. We talk about our classes, favorite things to do, and our favorite foods. Kinsley's not just sexy. She's funny. If I were to judge her based on the casual business attire she wears, I wouldn't have learned that she's truly special. Maybe I'm biased because I like her.

On our second date I drive to a secluded lake.

"What are we doing here?" she asks.

"We're going fishing," I say.

A smile lifts her cheeks. "This is different. I'm intrigued."

Fishing would give us a chance to talk in a relaxed setting.

I had asked Natalia to keep Norah occupied. That's a huge favor seeing as though Norah's a piece of work.

My sister is a tough cookie. She can handle Norah.

"Do you know how to fish?" I asks as I open her door.

She steps out of the Yukon, zips up her jacket, and places a hand up, shielding her eyes from the sun. "I fished when I was a girl. My dad took me and my mom."

Her smile withers. I gingerly touch her arm as we approach the back of the Yukon. "What's the matter?"

"My father passed away when I was eight."

I pull her close. "I'm so sorry for your loss."

"Thank you," she replies.

"We should've gone bowling," I say.

"No, this is good. It's a nice day. Let's enjoy it." She smiles, brushing a few strands of brown hair out of her face.

"Wait by the lake. "I'll bring our chairs, lunch, and supplies."

"I'm not helpless." Kinsley reaches into the trunk grabbing the tackle box, and a camping chair.

She slings the chair strap over her shoulder.

"I don't mind doing everything for you," I tell her truthfully as I watch her ass in those jeans as she walks.

We'll go bowling next time. It'll be another excuse to persuade her to wear jeans.

"I'm in college to become a doctor. Sitting around acting helpless isn't my thing." She halts at the edge of the lake.

Norah would beg to differ.

I didn't know what to expect when we were together. She could've been boring. But she wasn't. She mentioned her mother"s hard work to put her through private school and how her college education is now covered by her father"s life insurance policy.

I shared that my father also worked hard for our family.

I'd never taken the time to get to know any woman the way I do with Kinsley.

After we set up, we stand beside each other and toss our lines into the lake.

"I bet I catch the first fish," she grins.

I chuckle. "If you do, you'll have to cook it for dinner tonight."

"Thought this was a nice little afternoon date. It seems you're trying to extend our date."

"Yeah, I am. I love spending time with you," I admit.

Her face softens. "Nick, I'm not looking for anything serious."

"I understand. Me either. It's just when I'm with you I can relax. Forget about life." I smirk.

"Kinsley, there"s something I need to know." I move closer, still holding onto the fishing rod with one hand.

"What is it?" she whispers.

My hand comes up to cup her cheek. "I need to know how your lips taste."

She blushes and my lips crash down on hers with a desperate hunger. It"s electrifying and I can feel her responding.

She pulls away. "You shouldn"t have done that."

"But you enjoyed it," I say confidently.

"That"s the problem." Her eyes revert back to the lake.

We both know we"re fighting against our carnal desires to rip each other"s clothes off.

"Don"t worry, I won"t let things go too far," I assure her.

She bursts into laughter. "Liar."

My chest rumbles with laughter. "That kiss will definitely be on my mind tonight."

Although I wanted nothing more than to be with her completely, I had to control myself. I couldn"t let anything happen to her. It was risky enough sneaking around with her without any bodyguards present. Just me and Kinsley. Deep down, I knew what we were doing was wrong. As much as my desire drove me to see her every chance I got, I couldn"t be with Kinsley.

The trips to the lake house had become a regular occurrence, and on one particular night, my bodyguard paid me a visit. He informs me that he has taken care of the task I assigned him.

A surge of anger courses through me, and I grab his neck tightly. "I specifically told you not to come here. She can"t find out about this side of my life," I bite out.

"You're in the mafia. It"s impossible to hide it," he struggles to say.

"Nick?" Kinsley"s voice interrupts us.

Reluctantly, I release my grip on Axe"s throat. He stumbles backwards, gasping for air. "Goodbye, boss," he manages to choke out.

"Have a good night, Kinsley." He staggers out the patio door.

Trying to suppress my rage is nearly impossible at this moment; all I want to do is kill Axe for exposing my secret.

"Are you part of the mafia, Nick? Or are you the leader?" she questions.

Kinsley shakes her head in disbelief, "I could never be with a man involved in the mafia. You knew that I wouldn't have been able to date you if I knew about this."

She was always such a good girl, firmly believing in what"s right and wrong.

The evening began on a high note but ended in sorrow, leaving me with a broken heart.