Mafia Princess & Her Boy Toys (Varano Mafia Book 1) Page 2

  Everything seemed calm and peaceful, so maybe whoever had broken in was long gone. Hell, maybe the realtor or someone had forgotten to lock the door, although I didn’t believe that was the case.

  Shouts sounded from the house, but there were no shots fired, so I hurried for the door to see what was going on, my gun in my hand. As I stepped inside, I saw my men holding someone, but Matteo was blocking my view, so I couldn’t tell who it was.

  “Who the fuck are you?” Matteo yelled. “Answer me!”

  “What’s going on?” I asked as I approached, and then my gaze fell on the face of a handsome stranger. Oh, look at that.

  Had someone left me a gift?

  The guy’s gray eyes briefly met mine from under a mop of sandy blond hair as he tried to free himself, but my men had his arms in a tight grip. He wasn’t going anywhere.

  I holstered my gun.

  “No ID,” Matteo said as he inspected the things in his hand. “A car key, and a dollar and fifty cents.”

  A pained look crossed our intruder’s face, as if Matteo had just taken everything from him. One look at his worn-out plain black shirt and jeans, and I had a feeling that maybe Matteo had found all of his possessions.

  “Who the hell are you? Who do you work for?” Matteo got into the intruder’s face and he looked scary as hell.

  And hot.

  But I was sure our intruder didn’t agree with me.

  “My name is Colton,” the intruder said. “I’m sorry I broke into your house. I really am. If you let me go, I promise you’ll never see me again.”

  Matteo snorted. “Let you go? Alive? Are you fucking serious?”

  “Matteo,” I said, and he stepped away from Colton and turned toward me.

  “I don’t think it’s safe for you to stay here,” Matteo said, lowering his voice. “I don’t know who that guy is, but he has to be working for someone. He could be stalling for time. He might’ve already called his employers when he heard us approach. I say we kill him and get the hell out of here.”

  I glanced at Colton, who had stopped struggling and was now eyeing my men with resignation. “But who could’ve known this place is ours? And why would he stay behind and risk his life? He isn’t even armed.”

  “Then we should take him with us and make him talk.” Matteo’s eyes were hard.

  “Oh, come on. Look at him. I don’t think he’s a threat to us.”

  “That’s exactly what he might want us to think. It could all be a ploy.”

  “Please,” Colton said, his gaze trained on me. He must’ve figured out that I was in charge here and that I was the one he should try to convince to let him live. “I thought this house was abandoned and that no one lived here. I don’t know who you are and I won’t tell anything to anyone about this. I didn’t take anything of yours. I swear.”

  “Do you really expect us to believe that shit?” Matteo laughed.

  I took a good look at Colton. Maybe I was wrong, but I didn’t think he was lying. There was just something about his eyes that made it easy for me to believe him.

  “I only needed a place to sleep and wash my clothes. That’s all. I don’t have any money to give you, but you can keep my car. Please.” Colton’s eyes bored into mine, and there was now a hint of desperation in them, and maybe even hopelessness.

  He didn’t think we were going to let him go, and I had a feeling that, deep down, he was cursing his bad luck.

  “So what?” Matteo said, aiming his gun at Colton’s face. “You’re homeless and you picked this fucking place out of all of them to hide? Yeah, right. I say we end this.”

  “No,” I said, and it seemed as if I’d sucked the air out of the room because everyone looked at me in surprise. “Put down the gun.”

  “What?” Matteo blinked at me, lowering the gun. “Are you saying we should let him go?”

  “No. I’m saying we’re not going to kill him just yet. I’m tired and hungry. It doesn’t look like anyone’s coming for us, so let’s just get something to eat and take a break.”

  “What about him?” Matteo indicated Colton with a jerk of his head.

  “Bring him to the living room.” My eyes met Colton’s. “If he tries to run or struggles, put a bullet in him.”

  It was up to Colton how things were going to go. If he tried something, he was dead. But if he didn’t, then maybe I’d find a solution for him.

  Matteo gave me a puzzled look, but he inclined his head. I headed to the living room, plopping onto a large red sofa with a sigh.

  “Sit down,” I said to Colton, who was watching me with a combination of distrust and curiosity, and he settled on the other edge of the sofa.

  I looked at Matteo. “Tell Rush to make us all some soup. My favorite.”

  It was good to have men with different skillsets. I always made sure to hire people I could use for more than just one purpose. Rush was both a good fighter and an excellent cook.

  When Matteo left the room, my men lined up along the wall with their weapons ready. I was as safe as I could be, but I didn’t think Colton was a threat.

  “Does the name Varano mean anything to you?” I asked Colton.

  His eyes widened for a fraction of a second, and when he opened his mouth, I thought he was going to lie. “I might’ve heard of it.”

  “I’m Nadia. Nadia Varano,” I said with a wide smile.

  His brow furrowed, but he kept his mouth shut. He was probably thinking what my revelation meant for his future.

  “Tell me, Colton. How did you get in here? The alarm didn’t go off.” I was pretty sure I’d asked for an alarm to be set up.

  If we’d been alerted of anyone breaking in, we would’ve never come here, just sent someone to see what was going on. But there had been no alert.

  He bit down on his lip, which was impossibly cute for some reason.

  Keep your hands to yourself, Nadia. He might still be your enemy.

  “I disabled it.”

  I cocked my head at him. “And how did you do that?”

  “I figured out its power source was outside. I swear I didn’t think anyone lived here. I thought it was someone’s vacation home and that they wouldn’t be coming here anytime soon.”

  Hmm. Maybe, just maybe Colton didn’t have to die.

  Chapter 4

  THERE WAS NO TIME FOR me to find out more about Colton and get some rest because my father summoned me for an urgent meeting. So we took Colton with us as our prisoner for now, until I could figure out what to do with him.

  As I made my way down the hallway of my father’s mansion toward his office, I furrowed my brow.

  “What do you think could be so urgent?” I glanced at Matteo who was right by my side.

  He wasn’t happy about my decision when it came to Colton, but he hadn’t said a word about it at all. Still, the truth was written all over his face, or maybe I just knew him too well.

  “I don’t know,” he said. “Your father might’ve heard about what happened, and maybe he wanted to make sure you were safe.”

  “Yeah, right.” I gave him a skeptic look.

  It wasn’t like I had a spy among my men who reported everything I did to my father. Sure, my father was always going to find out about a lot of it eventually, but I didn’t think anyone could be this quick.

  What if I’d really done something wrong and messed up his plans?

  “Don’t worry about it.” Matteo offered me a small smile. “Your father loves you. I’m sure that whatever is going on isn’t serious. We would’ve known about it already if it were.”

  “I guess.” I’d thought I’d be happy when I was finally able to talk to my father and tell him about my accomplishments, but now my stomach was doing nervous flips and I was closer to throwing up than calming down. “Why the hell didn’t he just tell me what he wanted over the phone?”

  “You know doing that would be risky.”

  “Well, yeah, but that means that whatever he has to say is important.”

 
“Or he just doesn’t want anyone to have any proof against you or him.” Matteo’s hand brushed my back. “Relax.”

  “Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who has to face my father.”

  “True, but I’ll be your moral support. Just yell for me if you need me.” Amusement filled his eyes, and I let out a groan.

  “That’s very comforting.” But I did feel a bit better.

  It was just my father. I could handle him.

  When my father’s guards opened the door to his office for me, I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, lifted my chin, and strode inside. I buried any fear or nervousness under a tight mask so my father wouldn’t think that I easily caved under pressure.

  “My beautiful daughter.” My father got to his feet and spread his arms for me, a wide smile stretching across his lips.

  “Hey, Dad,” I said in my sweetest voice as I stepped into his embrace and let him plant a gentle kiss on my forehead.

  “Sit.” He motioned with his hand toward the chair across from him, and I took a seat, glancing around his spacious office.

  His sturdy desk and a shelf behind him were the only things that weren’t black. I studied his face for any clues, but he was giving me nothing. His graying brown hair was perfectly combed, and his hazel eyes—a shade darker than mine—were glued to me.

  “So what’s all this about?” I asked after a few moments of silence. “I was on my way here anyway. What’s so important that it can’t wait?”

  “Where were you?”

  His question made me narrow my eyes at him. He knew, didn’t he? “At my safe house. I took care of something for you.”

  “Yes, I’ve heard all about it.”

  “Good news travels fast, huh?”

  “It does, and I appreciate what you did, but that’s not why I called you here.”

  “Then what is it?” I cocked my head at him. “Is Mom okay?”

  “Oh yes, everything is fine. Don’t worry.” The corners of his lips pulled up into a smile. “We have a chance to make a very important alliance. One that could change everything. With your help.”

  I frowned, unsure what he was talking about.

  “I’ve negotiated a deal with the Accardis.”

  My jaw went slack.

  The Accardis were our biggest rivals in the city, and we’d clashed with them a few times, but they’d always managed to keep their half of the city despite our attacks.

  “Are you serious?” I asked. “You want an alliance with those rats? Why?”

  “Honey, the Accardis aren’t going anywhere, and we have to accept that. Why fight a war in which we will both lose if we can work together instead? If someone challenged us, the Accardis would help us, and we would keep this city forever. Us and them, and no one else.”

  I blinked at him, wondering if my father had been body-snatched. “But I remember when you said that you’d never consider an alliance with them.”

  “That was before. I’ve had some time to think, and I’ve made my decision. I am the head of this family, after all.”

  I gritted my teeth, wondering what this news meant. “And how am I involved in the whole thing? If you want to make a deal, make it.”

  I’d just wait when it was my time to rule.

  Then I’d do what I wanted.

  “You’re going to marry one of Maurizio’s sons.”

  I stared at him for a moment, and then I let out a choked laugh. “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes, you are. We need that alliance, and a marriage between you and his son is what Maurizio is asking of me.”

  I leaned forward, my eyes intent on his. “Why do we need an alliance? We’ve been like this for decades. The Accardis can’t defeat us, and we can’t defeat them. They know it, just as we do. They won’t attack us. It doesn’t make sense to do this, unless you know something that I don’t.”

  He pressed his lips into a tight line. “I told you, I’ve made my decision. It is final.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t care. I’m not marrying anyone. I’m not good at being someone’s whore, and I never will be. My future is to be the boss of this family, just like you. I’m your only heir. Have you forgotten that? If you think my duty is to pop out brats for some moron, then why don’t you just put a bullet in me now? I’d rather be dead.”

  “No, I haven’t forgotten any of that. Your marriage would most likely be on paper only and you’d keep what is yours, just like he would keep what is his. I’m still in talks with Maurizio about the terms.”

  “Then why the fuck are you even discussing marriage at all? Don’t you see what he’s doing? He wants to make sure that the Varano name disappears forever. Why else would he insist on marriage?”

  “He wants a bond stronger than just a signed deal. It’s how he is. You know how difficult it is to satisfy both parties. I already refused a lot of things you wouldn’t have liked. A wedding would be a compromise.”

  “Oh, that’s just great. Yeah, I know how difficult Maurizio is! He’s an asshole. How many sons does he even have by now? Fifty? What is he offering you? What does he have that we can’t get without him?”

  “We need him. There isn’t an active threat at the moment, but I’ve been observing what’s going on. Everyone is making alliances, and we need one too. For your future.”

  “You know how Maurizio feels about women. They’re just things to him. Objects to be used and abused. Baby factories. Do you really think that if something happens to you, he’ll let me rule? He’ll use that stupid marriage to try to take over and establish his son as the boss.”

  I didn’t believe for a second that Maurizio wouldn’t try to screw us over. It was just who he was. A snake.

  “But he’s also a man of his word. If this deal is signed, he won’t make a move against you. Think about it, honey. This deal will protect you and ensure that you thrive.”

  “Maybe we should just kill them all instead. Then I’d be safe for sure. What if he finds a loophole in your deal? What if he tricks you? Why would he even want a deal? What’s in it for him? What did you promise him except for me?”

  “You will find out soon enough.”

  I got to my feet. “All right. We’ll talk then.”

  Without another look at him, I strode for the door, clenching my fists.

  Chapter 5

  “HE WHAT?” MATTEO GAPED at me after I told him everything about my conversation with my father.

  “I know. It’s insane, right? I’m only twenty-one. Getting married is the last thing on my mind, especially to an Accardi. Doesn’t my father understand what that would mean for me? Sure, we can sign a special deal to prevent any, for me, dangerous consequences, but then why would Maurizio insist? You know what? I actually think Maurizio is using this opportunity to show me that I’m just a pawn to my father.” I groaned. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “Oh, I can think of more than a few reasons why the old Accardi would want you to marry one of his sons, and I don’t like a single one of them. But why is your father willing to enter a deal with the Accardis? He’s not planning to immediately retire, and you still have enough time to learn everything you need to know. If he’s really worried about your future, then he shouldn’t be forcing you to do this. I thought he promised he’d never force you to marry anyone for business. What happened to that?”

  I made an exaggerated shrug. “I have no idea. He won’t tell me, but something’s definitely up. My father wouldn’t be doing this or even considering it if it wasn’t for a reason. I just don’t know what it is.”

  Matteo’s eyes searched mine. “What are you going to do if your father insists? He’s still the head of the family, and you’re still his daughter.”

  “I won’t agree to it. I won’t. Unless he wants me to slit my intended’s throat. I could do that.” I flashed him a smile.

  “I’m sure there’s something you can do. Your father loves you. He’s not like Accardi.”

  “Yeah, I keep telling myself th
at, but what if it turns out that we’re wrong about that? What if he’s going to ignore the fact that I’m his rightful heir, and just marry me off and make some guy his heir instead?”

  “He’s not that cruel, and you’re a Varano. That means a lot. He didn’t raise you just to be someone’s wife. This has to be business related.” Matteo headed for the bar as I plopped onto the sofa. The perks of having a private bar—we could always get drunk whenever we wanted.

  “But what if he’s changed his mind? What if I failed to convince him that I could do this?” I bit down on my lip.

  “Are you kidding me? We just helped him out and solved a problem for him. He knows just how capable you are. If he didn’t want you in charge, he’d send you off to the Accardis or someone else without any negotiation.” He made his way to me and offered me a glass.

  I snatched it and took a sip, grateful for the way the drink burned its way down my throat. Just how drunk did I have to be for this whole mess to start making any sense? “Then I don’t know what’s going on. Have you heard anything from my father’s guys? Are we in danger?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing.”

  “There has to be something. That’s the only explanation I have.”

  “Wouldn’t your father tell you about it? Why keep it a secret?” Matteo tilted his head before taking a gulp of his own drink. “Especially if it’s a big threat. He knows you won’t agree to marry. If he told you the truth and it was something serious, wouldn’t he expect you to be more likely to consent?”

  “That’s what I thought too, but he was so vague about everything. I’ve never seen him act so cagey before. Something’s wrong, and I need you to find out what.”

  He gave me a nod.

  “I don’t care who you have to ask or where you have to look, but try to figure it out. I don’t want to marry one of Accardi’s sons. If Maurizio wants to make a deal, he can do it without marriage. I don’t give a damn about his traditions and whatnot.”

  Matteo downed his drink and set the empty glass on the bar. “Accardi is weird like that. I’m not sure he’ll really agree to marriage just on paper. How desperate is your father for that deal?”