Page 1 of Doll's Eye

Alessia

It’s almost wrong we’re even here.

Organized crime families all rallied at a gala that is raising money for the new hospital being built as if we’re trying to save lives. Between all the families collectively, we place at least one body in the hospital on the daily. I guess that’s why a new hospital is necessary.

But we’ll all write a big check, shake some hands, and the city will deem us as gods rather than the demons we truly are.

I’ve never been one for fancy dresses, but in the ballgown I’m wearing tonight, I feel like a real princess. A powerful and beguiling one. On the outside, I look like just another pretty woman. Soft and simple. But what no one knows about is the gun and throwing knives I have concealed under my dress. They checked every single man for weapons upon arrival, but I walked right through without any suspicion.

Foolish men. They’ll always underestimate the absolute power and threat of a woman.

“Alessia Bonetti,” a deep voice causes me to spin around, coming face to face with the eldest son of Angelo De Luca, Massimo De Luca. A sadist to some and the devil himself to the rest. The stoic look on his face doesn’t change when his cold gaze makes an obvious trail up and down the length of my body.

“Ciao, Massimo.”Hi. I close the gap to kiss each cheek. He smells like whiskey, mint, and something I can’t put my finger on. Not at all like the fire and brimstone I imagined he’d smell of.

“You have certainly grown up,” he murmurs flatly as if it were something I was unaware of.

“I have.” I glance around the room, finding it challenging to keep the polite smile on my face when looking him in the eye.

“Afraid to speak with me alone?” There’s the slightest jest under the smooth baritone.

I find the courage to meet his gaze and exude confidence in my stature. Especially now that his proximity had gone unnoticed. He’s over a foot taller than me and twice as wide as my petite frame, and he thinks his size will intimidate me.

“Of course not,” I say firmly without blinking.

He seems to find humor in my bravado as one side of his mouth tightens, and I try to ignore the fact that I find him handsome. Massimo is not someone you find attractive. You find him chilling.

His dark gaze journeys down my body again, and I feel my skin pebbling. Not quite sure if it’s from fear. “You should wear dresses more often.” His eyes lock on mine. “It’s deceptive.”

“Deceptive, how?”

“To everyone, you’re just another beautiful andfragilewoman.”

I fight the urge to cross my arms for comfort. Why does it feel like he’s inside my head? “And you? What do you see?”

He takes a long pause before answering as if trying to see me crack. “I see a lethal woman that looks sinful in a dress.” Heraises his glass in salute as my heart races, and my breathing stops. “It was nice seeing you, Alessia.” His eyes brighten for a moment before he turns and walks away.

“Who was that?” My sister Gemma comes up out of nowhere.

I shake myself from my stupor and suck in a breath of air. “That was Massimo De Luca.” I snatch the champagne glass out of her hand and down it.

“Thatwas Massimo De Luca?”

I nod my head.

“Oh,wow. Are you okay? What did he say to you?”

I clear my throat, not looking at her. “That he liked my dress.”

I can’t deny Massimo’s domineering presence had shaken me. However, that fear he evoked unlocked a dormant part of me, igniting a surge of empowerment and ambition.

Chapter one

Alessia

“Will the gentleman be leaving with you?” my driver asks as I climb into the back of the car.

Sighing, I slouch down in the seat. “No, he won’t.”