Underboss’s Ex, Mafia’s Queen Chapter 01

Underboss’s Ex, Mafia’s Queen Chapter 01

I was delivering a $12,000 Japanese catering spread to the Lombardi family’s villa, elated by the hundred-dollar tip I’d earned.

A torrential downpour soaked Chicago, yet all I could think about was buying Vincent more boxes of his medication.

I’d just reached the brownstone’s front door when laughter spilled out from within.

“She actually bought your paralysis act? Worked delivery routes for two years to cover your medical bills? Even sold her mother’s family heirloom? It’s absolutely hilarious.”

Vincent Romano swirled the whiskey in his glass.

“She’s served her purpose. Some women are born to be exploited like this.”

“She earned every bit of this. She rubbed Giselle the wrong way back in school, and this is her due punishment.”

I froze in the storm, rain mixing with tears.

That car crash had been entirely faked. The broken spine, his deceased parents, his helpless cries—every single part of it was a lie. For two whole years, I’d been nothing but a fool clowns around to entertain Giselle.

I pulled out my secondary phone and dialed the number I’d sworn never to touch again.

“Papa,” my voice was hollow and drained. “I surrender. I’ll marry the Lombardi heir.”

……

I hung up, and Giselle’s syrupy voice drifted out immediately.

“Vince is so good to me. You really humiliated that little tramp for me. I’m over the moon.”

She curled her delicate fingers under Vincent’s chin. On her ring finger sat my mother’s ring.

Vincent grazed her fingertip lightly with his teeth, a lazy smile playing on his lips.

“You’re such a handful.”

He leaned back casually, legs propped up and crossed over the coffee table. His heavy cast lay discarded on the floor. The flowers I’d drawn on it looked utterly ridiculous under the warm lamplight.

I tightened my grip on the delivery cooler’s handle and knocked on the front door.

“That must be the delivery. Come in.”

I stepped inside. My waterlogged sneakers left damp, muddy streaks across the wool carpet.

The two broke apart the second they saw me.

“Lena?” Vincent’s face went pale. “What are you doing here?”

“Funny question. What are you doing here instead?”

“A few old classmates invited me to unwind,” he forced a grim smile. “Everyone’s been worried about me.”

I ignored him, my gaze locked on Giselle’s hand.

“That’s my mother’s ring. Give it back.”

Vincent’s smile faded.

He pulled his chair closer, reached out smoothly, and rested a hand gently on my arm.

“Lena, listen to me—”

“Listen to what?” I cut him off, a grim smirk tugged at my lips. “Listen to how you handed my family heirloom straight over to her? Or how your broken spine suddenly healed overnight?”

All color drained from Vincent’s face, his features turning stone-cold. “You know.”

Giselle let out a scornful laugh. She stood unsteadily in her stiletto heels and thrust her hand inches from my face.

“Vincent gave this to me. You think you’re getting it back?”

She drew out the word gave, triumph glinting in her eyes. “Don’t even dream about it.”