NicoI’m an asshole because I promised to treat Sondra like a girlfriend and not a fucktoy, and then I haven’t had a goddamn minute during the waking hours to treat her right.I pick up my phone and call Stefano, my younger brother. He and I are tight—close in age and of a similar mindset. He’s been in the old country, working with our great uncle.“Nico, come va?” he answers.I get right to the point. “I need you.”Stefano swears. “What is it?”“No, no. Nothing bad. My operation has grown too big. I can’t work enough hours in the day, and I need someone to share the load. I need you, specifically.”Stefano’s quiet for a moment. “Tony’s not enough?”“Tony can’t do everything. And he’s not my brother. I pay him well, but I can’t share the kingdom with him. Dad wouldn’t allow it.”“Yeah, okay. I’ll talk to Zio. I’m sure he can let me go if you really need me.”“I do. I need you to head up security. That way I can focus on continued growth. Call me back and let me know when you can come.

Sondra“Everyone’s trying to figure out who you are,” I murmur to Nico. We’re sitting in the cafe of the Met, drinking espresso to revive ourselves from our long day of walking through the art museum. Yes, he flew me on a private jet to New York City this morning and demanded I show him all the best the Met had to offer. Considering it’s my first trip to New York, let alone the Met, my bucket is beyond full.Nico’s as handsome as ever in one of his fine suits and he looks like some kind of celebrity amongst the tourists. He arches a brow. “Me? No, amore. They’re looking at you. I heard one couple whispering that you’re a famous actress.” He picks up my hand and runs his thumb over my fingers.If I’d worried that Nico and I would have nothing to talk about if we actually had time to spend together, I was wrong. He told me all about growing up in Chicago—the things he misses from the city, the things he doesn’t. How and why he ended up in Vegas.I told him about Michigan, growing up acr

Sondra“Good morning, Ms. Simonson,” the security guy nods at me as I step out of the elevator. I get this preferential treatment all over the casino now. Word is out that I’m Nico’s girl. I get waved to the front of the Starbuck’s line, my favorite drink already prepared for me.When I step out on the curb, the valet attendant already has Nico’s Mercedes waiting for me. I take the keys and pretend driving a Mercedes is a totally normal thing for me.It’s hard not to eat it all up. It’s hard not to let myself enjoy all that it means to be Nico Tacone’s girlfriend.But it’s a total fantasy world. If I were going to stay here long-term, I’d need to get out and make friends, be in nature, build my own life.For the moment, though, I’m letting myself enjoy it. Nico stuffed a wad of cash in my purse this morning and told me to go clothes shopping. His cousin Sal is getting married this afternoon and we’re invited. When I asked what to wear, he told me to buy a dozen outfits and let him pic

SondraI didn’t know how badly I’d want Nico to hold me. To promise the moon and the sun or maybe just to take charge and carry me off. Tell me I’m his and he’s tying me to the bed until I swear it.But I have to be strong right now. I have to be a big girl and choose for me.“I don’t know,” I whisper.Nico drops to his knees, right there on the sidewalk. Tears blur my vision. “I need you, Sondra. I didn’t have a purpose to living before I met you. You brought light where there was only darkness. You give to me—receive me with no walls up. I don’t know how you do it, but I can’t live without you.”“Get up, Nico,” I mumble between trembling lips. I try to tug him back to his feet. Tears track down my cheeks.“I don’t even know what I can offer you, but I promise it will be everything I have. Everything.”“Yes. Yes. Nico, I want you.”He falls back and drags me down to his lap. People driving by are looking at us like we’re lunatics and I totally don’t give a crap. “You want me?” His vo

JennaThe pounding music might be the only thing keeping me on my feet at the moment. I bounce and spin on the dance floor to the beats of DJ Sunshine, the coolest female DJ on Ibiza. I may or may not have one too many cosmos in me. The room tilts and spins alarmingly every time I slow down.I guess I ought to thank mobster Nico Tacone for footing the bill on this party lifestyle, but I spent my entire life hating him, so gratitude would be an adjustment. Still, he released me from our marriage contract and gave me the money to run away until he worked things out with our families, so I have nothing to complain about.I turn and run into a wall of fine Italian suit. Pleasure overtakes me at a familiar masculine scent, and I throw my arms around the man’s neck before my brain registers what this means.I’ve been found. Caught.“Alex!” I breathe.My father’s right-hand man. His soldier, bodyguard, protégé—whatever you want to call him.I don’t mean to fling myself at him, but my body co