Seducing the Mafia Boss

Tempting Fate

Silva’s POV



Party. The moment that the word left Rose’s lips—I jumped at the idea. However, now that I’m standing in front of the long mirror taking in the little black dress she put me in, I’m seriously questioning myself.

My long hair hangs down in loose waves over my shoulder, and my make-up is more natural than heavy. I can’t deny that Rose is amazing and the art she creates by dressing people is flawless.

However, I’m seriously wondering if going tonight is a smart idea, considering Bruno’s warning.

“What’s wrong?” She asks, her brows knit together in the reflection of the mirror. “Do you not like it?”

“No I do.” I quickly reply, looking over my shoulder at her with a smile. “I’m just unsure about going tonight. Maybe I should just stay in.”

She grabs my shoulders, her lips twisting into a smirk as she shakes her head. “No chance. We’re going out. It’s your birthday. Now get your cute ass in the car. Let’s go.”

Nodding, I roll my eyes and accept my fate. Rose planned tonight for a reason and she wasn’t going to let me back out.

We take off towards the old hotel that’s been closed down for years. It’s the normal party spot and it’s off campus so less likely to get shut down. And the moment that we arrive, I’m taken back by a party that’s out of control and in full swing with EDM music blaring and student’s excited that our school year is finally over.

I don’t really have time to do anything as Rose takes my hand and leads me out to the dance floor. The chorus and cheers of “happy birthdays” as I pass people bringing a smile to my face before Rose and I find a place on the floor and we start to dance.

I don’t know how much time has passed as the sweat from our fun begins to drip down the front of my chest, my mouth dry as I start to scan the room we’re in looking for a makeshift bar or somewhere to get a drink.

And that’s when I see him.

I do my best to stay away from Gio. And for a while, it isn’t too difficult. The party is packed, the wine is flowing, and the music is pumping, loud and full.

Rose and I dance like there’s no tomorrow. So many kids from school come over to me, all wishing me a happy birthday, some sticking around to dance for a song or two.

However, even with all of the distractions, I have to admit to myself, I can feel Gio’s presence no matter where I turn. My heart starts to beat harder and faster. It’s like an adrenaline rush. He’s lurking in the corner, watching me. Without turning around, I know his eyes are on me, on my body, as I groove and grind to the music.

At first, it annoys me. Why can’t he just leave me alone? It would make all of this so much easier. However, as the night wears on, I find myself doing things on purpose, knowing that somewhere out there, he’s watching me.

The steady beat of the music pushes down into my soul as I close my eyes and smile, swaying my body to its rhythm. I lose myself for once, not allowing my mind to take control. I hate being in control, hate feeling like I have to be perfect in everything that I do.

After a moment, I open my eyes to see Rose standing before me with two champagne flutes and a mischievous grin upon her face.

“What are you doing?”

“Dancing,” I reply with confusion as I take one of the glasses from her outstretched hand.

“Is that right?”

My brows furrow in confusion as I watch her cackle, tipping back the champagne all in one go.

“What? I’m just having fun…”

“Oh please,” Rose replies incredulously. “So you’re not trying to give Gio a show then? Because he hasn’t been able to keep his eyes off you since he got here.””

I freeze in my place, glancing around the room to see where he is. However, through the mass amount of bodies lingering everywhere—I can’t see him. “I don’t care about Gio…”

“Sure you don’t.” She says once more, giving a shrug of her shoulder. “Maybe I should just tell him to come over here and join you then. I mean, he can’t seem to get enough of the show you’re giving.”

She turns to walk away, my lips parting as I attempt to call her name, mortified by what she said, but it’s too late. She disappears through the crowd and I’m left standing there, heart racing as I try to process what just happened.

It was made clear to me that I am to stay away from Gio. That being around him is dangerous, and I can’t blame Rose for trying to hook us up. She doesn’t know our situation, which is honestly better for her.

I look around, panicking. I need to find a way out of here before Gio comes over. Suddenly, my eyes land on Michele, a french kid from class. He’s staring at me. I know he’s had a crush on me since my first year here. I’ve only wanted to be friends, though. He’s the perfect distraction.

I head right towards him, his eyes getting as wide as saucers as I do.

“Bonsoir, Silva,” he says, with a slight stammer. “How…how are you?”

“Hey Michele,” I say, looking him dead in the eye. “Wanna dance with the birthday girl?”

He swallows hard and nods vigorously. I throw him a smirk, take his hand and lead him to the middle of the dance floor, where everyone can see.

I start grinding my hips, slow and tight, against Michele who frankly, doesn’t have a single idea what to do with me, which is fine. That’s not the point. My eyes are frantically scanning the room looking for Rose, and the man who had set my skin on fire since the moment he walked into the damn room.

I look over to see if Gio is still looking, but I don't see him anywhere.

Goddamnit. Where the hell did he go?

I do somewhat feel bad for using Michele to divert my attention away from Gio, but judging by his reaction, Michele doesn’t care what the reason is, he’s just happy to be touching me.

I’m in the middle of those thoughts, barely clocking Michele’s attempts to talk to me, when a deep voice whispers in my ear from behind.

“May I cut in?”

The whisper is so light and close, it sends shivers all over my body.

I turn around and I’m face to face with Gio, his dark eyes cutting right through me. Our faces are so close, they are practically touching. We stand there, not moving, while everyone else is moving to the music. It’s like we are frozen in time, somehow. And I feel like I can barely breathe.

“Ah…pardon,” I hear Michele say meekly.

I have to give him credit. He tries his very best to stand up for himself. He wedges himself between me and Gio, mustering every ounce of his courage.

“Excuse me, Gio, but…ah…Silva was dancing with me.”

“Get lost,” Gio replies harshly to Michele while never taking his eyes off me. “Don’t make me tell you again.”

Michele opens his mouth to protest, but I quickly turn to him, giving him a pleading look as I shake my head. “Thank you for the dance, Michele, It was a great birthday gift.”

He doesn’t say anything, but the defeat in his eyes is evident as he turns around and disappears through the crowd and out of sight. I can’t help but feel bad, but I’m finally alone with Gio.

“Happy birthday,” Gio says, simply catching my attention once more.

“Thanks.” I reply meekly, just as the DJ doubles down on the slow burn music and the lights seem to dim a little bit lower.

Without asking permission, he reaches out and slips a hand around my waist and pulls me into him, pressing his body against mine. A voice in my head is telling me to push him away, to run away, to get as far from him as I possibly can, but my body is saying something completely different. The feeling of his hands upon my waist, and his firm body pressed against mine sends thrilling shocks of pleasure across my body as I try to process it all.

“What are you doing?” I ask softly. His hand runs up my back, along my neck and under my hair before grabbing a fistful as he pulls it, dipping me down towards the floor. He lets me linger there, our bodies swaying to the music, his strength is holding me in place. It feels like I could stay there forever.

Gio’s eyes pierce deep into mine, giving me uncontrollable butterflies. If he continues, I may just float away. He has a way about him that makes me feel like the only girl in the world. This is usually the time that he says something and ruins everything, but to my surprise, he just continues to look into my eyes.

And that’s when I know I’m in deep, deep trouble.