Page 61 of The Bonventi Hitman

"No, wow, so cool. What is this place?" I ask, a little too sarcastically.

"Johnny Torrio and Al Capone's old stomping grounds. The deals here, Sofia, I tell you."

"Who were they?"

Luca stops and looks at me. "What? The Fox? Scarface? You've never heard of them?"

Of course I had, the former was mentioned during my training when I came to Chicago, and the latter because everyone knows who Scarface is from any mobster movie ever.

"Politicians?" I reply.

Luca scoffs and waves his hand at me. "Good thing you're pretty because brains," he says, shaking his hand from side to side, "not so much. Anyhow, you remember what I said to you up in the hotel room?"

Yes, I remember it, you fucking idiot.

"Yeah."

"Good. Just some introductions and whatnot, and then I need to talk business, but we'll meet up later," he says and leans in, his breath smelly and hot on my ear, making my skin crawl. "Because I'm finally fucking you tonight—nothing, and I mean nothing, is getting in the way of that."

I almost throw up in my mouth, but instead, I just smile. My mind immediately starts churning on how the hell I'm going to avoid it.

I look around and see a group of men sitting at a table in the center. There's no one else here, so I'm assuming it's been closed. Luca told me in the elevator that it's members from the Demitrakis and Ostowski families he's going to meet with. Apparently, the Bonventis feel the Russians are showing up at exactly the right time a little too often and suspect the Irish are still working with them. Naturally, they need to form an alliance to take on both families.

I think back to what my contact said at the coffee shop about others involved. I wonder if there are any other undercovers in this room now?

Since day one, it's always been about the Italians. The impenetrable fortress. Bill was the closest with the Irish, at least to my understanding, but alas, nothing could crack the Bonventis—that was until I came along, a Trojan horse born out of Bill's demise.

"Gentlemen, good to see you. This is Alex and Theo,” Luca says, turning to me.

"Nice to meet you, ma'am," Alex says.

"Luca, you sure got lucky with this one," Theo says and kisses my hand. "How much is he paying you?"

The men laugh.

"He's not that bad," I say and smile.

"Oh, you're definitely on his payroll," another man says, and his response is met by yet another round of laughter.

"Funny, very funny," Luca says. "This is Kaz” and Jack.”

The men stand and nod. "Nice to meet you. Please, sit," Kaz says to me and gestures to an empty chair.

"Yes, good idea," Luca says and removes his jacket. "Hey Teddy, whiskey and a champagne for the lady."

The man behind the bar shakes his head and begins preparing our drinks.

I take a seat next to Kaz, the man who made the joke about me being on Luca's payroll, which at this point I wish I were—at least I'd be getting some money.

"So, tell me about yourself," Kaz asks me as he looks down at my chest. On one hand, I can't blame him. I'm wearing a short black plunging V-neck dress that leaves little to the imagination. My breasts are on full display, so much so that I thought Luca was joking when he handed it to me to wear. I actually think he'd have me come naked if he could. I think it's some kind of power play. Like, look at this hot piece I got. We're Italians, we're the best, etcetera, etcetera.

"Well, there's not much to tell. Born and raised in the city. Ran into the likes of him," I say and look over at Luca, who's staring at me intently, wondering what I'll say, "and we've been inseparable ever since."

Luca nods. "Yes, she is a beauty."

"I see. Well, dear, you'll have to tell me where women like you hang out so I can run into someone just as stunning," Kaz says to me and pats my hand.

I laugh. "Oh, you're terrible, making a girl blush."