Page 119 of Deadly Obsession

Elias surprised me with a twelve carat, pear-shaped, Harry Winston ring that cost nearly $700,000.

I almost passed out.

“If you want a ceremony—”

“I don’t,” I say, beaming at the ring.

“What about a party instead? A celebration?”

I gasp. “Can I plan it?”

“I think that’s a great idea. In fact, how do you feel about being in charge of charitable events for the Alliance.”

“The Alliance?”

“Noah doesn’t want to take over the Empire so it’s in the process of being dissolved. I’m forming the Five Borough Alliance. FBA. Or just the Alliance. No more corrupt mafias. No more lowlife politicians and abusive assholes in power. I’m cleaning up this city and, in a few months, I’m hosting a fundraiser where I’ll strengthen my connections and make new ones. I want you there so I can introduce you as my wife. Then we’ll celebrate. I was hoping you’d want to organize it. And there will be plenty more partiesneeding organized, which is why I want you to be the event planner for the Alliance.”

I bite my lip, suddenly shy that this man believes in me despite not knowing if I can do such an important job.

“Are you sure?”

“I’ve never been more sure of anything,” he says, taking my hand to kiss my knuckles.

“I would be honored to be the event planner for the Alliance.”

He flips my hand over and kisses the palm. He loves doing that.

I also love when he does that.

It’s such a sweet and loving thing to do. It reminds me that he’s not only a scary killer mafia boss but a cuddly teddy bear.

“So where are we going now?”

“Back to the penthouse to change and then we’re going to the place where it all began.”

Chase is being kept in the basement ofUnderground Park Slope.

The closer we get to the neighborhood, the faster my heart beats. My stomach twists and sours. It’s not that I’m scared about what’s about to happen... I’m anxious.

Excited.

Elias is going to kill Chase, and I’m going to watch him do it.

“You okay? You’re shaking your leg and picking at your nails.”

I nod and examine the pastel polish I picked out for our courthouse wedding ceremony. My nerves have me wanting to rip the acrylics off one by one.

The SUV slows, and Elias puts it in park.

We’re here.

He gets out first and greets a large man with a shaved head and tattoos all over his skull. After slapping the man on his shoulder, he hands him the keys to the SUV. I’m getting out when Elias reaches my side and holds out his hand. I take it, and we walk inside.

It’s barely noon, so all the lights are on with only a handful of workers cleaning, stocking the bar, or doing admin work.

Are they real workers or mafia soldiers?

Elias leads me across the empty dance floor. A chill runs down my spine remembering the last time I was here.