Page 1 of The Mobster’s Rebel

Chapter One

Giovanni

I sat at my desk while the man sitting directly in front of it squirmed like a little bitch. He was here to plead for his son’s life, but with every second, I grew more impatient with his face. Men like him were easy to read and a nuisance. “Mr. Rosetti, I’m not in the mood to play games. You’re only here because you promised a good deal. I’ve yet to see you do anything but shake like a damn scared puppy.”

He tugged on his suit, attempting to find his balls. “Sorry, Sir. I know my son messed up and owes more than just money.” Damn right he did. First, the little prick doubled down on his debt in my casino, then he killed one of my lieutenants in a car wreck.

“Yes. He owes blood.” He crashed his car into them while he was wasted and on his phone. The little prick got away with nothing more than a broken leg and a cracked rib. I needed something he had, and it held all the value in the world. Now, I’d have to see if he’d part with it easily, or if I would be forced to take it.

“I’m truly sorry about it.” The pathetic apology pissed me off. I’d prefer to smash his head against the hardwood desk; instead, I slammed my fist down on the wooden surface. “Sorry doesn’t fucking cut it.”

“I can give you money or one of my properties. Please allow me to save my son.” I chuckled inwardly. Would he trade a daughter for a son? I’d see how much she meant to him.

There was nothing I couldn’t get in Vegas. I was the house, and I always won. He had only one card to play, and I would take the pot. “Compensation in the form of money or property is an insult. You have something else I want.”

“What is it? I can give you anything you want,” he promised, eyes and grin greedy with the prospect of beating his son’s fate.

“Mariana.” One word, one name, and the most important deal I could ever make.

“Done.” He didn’t even hesitate for a moment, and I wanted to shoot him right there. There was no debate, argument, or negotiation when it came to demanding his daughter. He just beamed with pleasure on his stupid face.

“Done? You didn’t even spare a second to reply,” I remarked, hoping he’d correct himself.

He shrugged and uttered something extremely idiotic. “She’s a woman. It’s about time she was taught her place.” He didn’t even care what I had planned for her as long as she wasn’t his burden anymore. If he thought for an instant that our war was over because he gave me his daughter, he would be sorely mistaken. The second we married, I’d dismantle his little empire and swallow the remainder whole before dealing with him permanently.

“Very well, but I have several conditions.”

“Name them.”

“The wedding is in one week; she’s not to leave the house in that time. I don’t trust anyone. Also, no one is to be made aware of the marriage until the day of, including Mariana.”

“How will she prepare? She needs a proper wedding.” I scoffed because he didn’t give a shit about her aside from what he could show off to others.

I supposed I had to concede that she needed to be ready to move with her belongings, but that was it. “You can tell her she’s getting married, but not to whom.” I had no intention of making a spectacle of our wedding.

Giving her a chance to run while I was away on business made my stomach turn. Some business would always take me away from her, but until she was my wife, I couldn’t control the irrational jealousy. Perhaps I never would.

“If that’s what you want, I can have it all prepared.” He gripped the arms of the chair, fingers nervously tapping on the edge.

“Good. I want the plan rolling the moment you get home. No games, or I’ll take her and kill your son for good measure.”

He jumped back into the chair. “Oh, no. She’ll behave, and everything will go as you wish.”

I lifted my brow. “You better hope so.”

“She will.” The low, menacing tone in his voice needed another reminder.

“And if you harm a single hair on her head, the same rules apply, and you’ll join your son.”

His mask fell for one moment as annoyance washed over it, but he quickly fixed his face before I had to break it. I never said things I didn’t mean, so I’d make the bastard pay if she suffered an ounce of pain at his hands.

“Get the fuck out of my office before I lose it.” He jumped out of his chair, nearly stumbling as he sent it to the floor. He picked it up several times as it slipped from his nervous hands. When he finally scrambled out of my office, my underboss came in, smirking.

“Wow, I’m surprised he made it out here without a few broken bones.” He chuckled.

I shrugged and tapped my fingers on my desk. “He has something I want. After that, he won’t be worth a morning cup of coffee.” He raised his brows.

“So you’re really going after Ms. Rosetti?”