SIERRA

“I’ve changed my mind; I can't do this.” I winced as the screen played a CCTV clip of Dante brutally punching a man. Then Dante pulled out his gun and fired once; the man dropped dead.

Sitting across from me were Seth and a few agents.

“If you think Dante's cruel.” Seth said casually, rewinding the clip. “Just imagine what'll happen when he discovers you've been lying to him.”

“Turn it off!” I covered my eyes; my legs trembled, imagining Dante hurting me or worse.

“But it's not going to happen, right?” Seth asked. “Because you're going to do exactly what we've been training you for.”

“You make it sound so easy, Agent.” I snapped.

“Look on the bright side.” Seth advised. “If you win, he'll be serving twenty years to life in Alcatraz prison.”

Bright side my ass!

Back at the club, I waited for Dante to arrive; he usually visited on Fridays at seven, but tonight, he was an hour late. My first mission was to get Dante's contact list, all in his phone.

Fine.

That won't be extremely difficult at all.

One of the customers tried to get my attention, but I was too distracted by watching Dante step into the club, hands dug into his pockets, looking bored. He was flagged by two bodyguards, or soldados, as the Mafia called them.

Dante narrowed his eyes at me as I approached him.

One of his soldados lifted a palm to stop me from getting closer.

Flashing a bright smile at Dante, I said. “Hi Dante, want me to rally up the Vixens, or do you want a private show from me tonight?”

Dante shook his head and murmured. “Not interested.”

I frowned as they walked past me, then I hurried after Dante, leaping in front of him like a mad cow.

“Come on, I'll make it worth your while.” I said sweetly, planting my hands on my hips.

“Fuck off!” Dante snapped. I jumped back, almost losing balance on my heels. A few people turned in our direction.

He must have noticed my discomfort because he smiled. “I'm here for business tonight only. and you get your wish, I'll stick with other girls in the club; I heard they're getting jealous of your privilege.”

My jaw dropped open as they brushed past me again.

Privilege?

They really thought I enjoyed dancing for that buffoon?!

Oh, I would be having a serious talk with them!

What was I going to do now?

A server walked past me for Dante.

“Sir, you dropped this!”

“Wait, that's not mine.”

I watched Dante reading from a pink polka dot note, which looked way too familiar. I searched my jacket and found it empty.

Dante turns to me; he's seen my name on it!

A small gasp of horror escaped my lips, and I hurried to snatch it away from him.

He's so tall, he held it out of reach, laughing as I jumped like a toddler in kitten heels, humiliated in front of the customers.

“Alright, enough, Tippy Toes.” He shoved the note into his pocket.

“Hey, give that back!” I demanded, glaring at him.

“Sierra, seriously, I have to meet with your boss.” Dante said in a hushed tone. “Wait for me in the lounge room; I'll give it to you.”

Then he swept away.

I slammed my palm flat against my forehead. Every female spy across fiction and real life would be disappointed in me.

Why did I even carry the stupid note around?

What if he told Santini about it?

Either way, I would wait for him to come out.

* * * * * * * *

DANTE

“Now, Santini, I don't care if you and my father played golf together.” I said coolly. Omar handed him a document; it was proof of his outstanding debt. Santini wiped his sweaty face with a handkerchief, standing, while I leaned back in his chair. “Your debt is years old, and you've barely paid half.”

“Y—yes, well, that's because we agreed on installment payment, Don.” Santini spoke.

“Really? Can you explain why you stopped paying?” I asked. “Or do I have to start cutting you into pieces?”

“Wait!” Santini shifted as Omar started to move. “We pay heavy taxes; that's why I haven't, and mostly because Howard Monroe still owes me.”

I groaned and gripped my face with disbelief. “Not that idiot,” then I shouted at Santini. “What's that got to do with me? You either pay back or I will fucking tear down this place and sell it to a church!”

“How about a share?” Santini offered weakly.

Two million in shares later, I walked out of Santini's office; I needed a damn drink. I wondered why Dad forgave unnecessary debts; so many people owed him, and I will get back at each one of them.

Pausing, I remember that I had to meet with Sierra.

I walked into the lounge and found her sitting cross-legged; she tucked her red wig behind her ears.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted. “I hate that damn wig.”

She rolled her eyes, then paused as if she'd gotten an idea. “Well, I could always take it off.” She stood, walking towards me. “Only for you.”

She stood really close; the black sequin dress she wore exposed her cleavage. Her breasts were round, firm, and more importantly, real.

There was something about Sierra I had noticed over the years; she didn't have a plastic body like the other girls in the club.

Maybe that's why I was drawn to her.

“Among other things.” Sierra whispered in my ear.

I shut my eyes, raising a hand.

Still, part of her job was fake seduction for cash.

“Stop.” I murmured.

“Can I have that note back?” She asked, holding her hand out.

I smirked. “You think I'm arrogant?”

Sierra's cheeks burned pink. “I didn't write that!”

“Your name was on it.”

“It was someone's sick idea of a prank.”

“So, you're telling me the ladies got together and forged this note in your name right after we kissed?”

Sierra bristled. “You mean that terrible kiss that I didn't consent to!”

I stared at her.

Was she joking?

She had been fully into that kiss!

“Listen to me, Sierra,” I said. “You attract the worst kind of men, and I'm not about to line up behind them.”

She stared at me, mouth open.

“By the way, I'm going to hold on to this.” I spoke finally, patted the note in my pocket, and walked out of there.

The woman was damn confusing, playing hard to get just to get me to beg?!

Well, Sierra, it takes two to fucking tango!

Somehow, for some reason, I felt like the biggest idiot in the world.

It wasn't until I got to the car that I noticed something was off. I patted my pockets.

Empty.

My fucking phone was gone!

DANTE

“So,” I purred. “How does it taste?”

Georgia Mancini sniffed, shook the wine glass, and drank from it. She made a clicking sound with her tongue that nearly made me want to roll my eyes.

“Hmm, blackberry, a bit of grape.” Georgia mused. “That’s six grand over my usual rate. Tell me Spinelli, why should I keep doing business with you?”

I smirked, scanning the guests in the hall at her open house. “Times have changed; my suppliers enjoyed dealing with my father. It's not the same treatment for me.”

Georgia shook her head. “Could it be that Giovanni had better charm? He could tell me to jump off a bridge, and I'd happily do it.”

I glared at her. “Would you?”

She nodded. “If the bridge was on fire and he knew it would save my life, yes.”

Ridiculous.

“Georgia, you should know luxury comes at a high price.” I said.

Her eyes flashed. “Just because I can afford it doesn't mean I should. Maybe you need to be a little friendlier...” She drew a finger down my chest and paused barely above my groin. “A smile might convince me not to take my business elsewhere.”

I smiled, not willingly, but because of the gold band on Georgia's finger, and glanced over at her husband in the middle of a chat with friends.

What a sucker! I thought.

“Anyway,” Georgia winked, walking away as she called. “Enjoy the show.”

A strange pang of guilt hung in my throat for a moment, then the lights dimmed. Sensual music filled the air as curtains parted; four masked women began to dance in rhythm as everyone applauded.

“It's the Vixens!” Someone called.

“So beautiful!” Another said.

I ignored the rest and looked at Sierra. The way her curves moved beneath her outfit and how our eyes instantly connected, heat rose in my crotch. She must have noticed me in the crowd because she winked.

An idiot next to me catcalled her. “Hey, Serena, take your bra off!”

I grabbed his shirt; his eyes widened in horror as I glared at him. “What was that?!” I growled.

The idiot suddenly smiled. “Hey, relax, buddy, she isn’t going to let either of us screw her.”

“How about I break your...” I paused, noticing people were looking at us.

Disgust filled my stomach; I let him go, and I stalked away from there.

What's wrong with me?

No, if I had to have a woman, no man would ever do that to her. I could get a date anytime I wanted, so why did she get under my skin like this?

I sat at the bar drinking alone until the dance was over. Then I felt someone come up behind me. Flinching, I reached for the gun inside my jacket.

“You're upset tonight.” Sierra whispered into my ear.

Exhaling hard, I turned to see her slide on a stool next to me.

“You know I almost—” I stopped. No use announcing I had a weapon.

Sierra lifted a brow, waiting for me to continue. “What?”

“Nothing.” I went back to my drink.

“I saw you and that guy,” Sierra purred seductively. “Was he bothering you? Want me to tell the owners? I know them personally.”

I smirked; if that guy knew I was a Spinelli, he would have shit his pants. Relaxing a bit, I said. “No one bothers me, Tippy.”

“It's getting hot in here.” She said, “Would you like to go for a walk under the moonlight?”

I scoffed at that. “No. Buzz off.”

She appeared disappointed and got off her stool. “Okay, then.”

That's when I noticed the moron from before was following her.

* * * * * * * *

SIERRA

The stupid phone had been a decoy; when it was unlocked, it had no contacts, no outgoing calls, and nothing else except a music playlist. It was practically new.

I felt humiliated as the other agents laughed at me boasting about stealing the main thing on my first try.

As I headed for the exit, I heard someone walk up next to me. He reached for the door before I could. I swung my head to see Dante glaring at me.

“Fine, we'll take that walk.” He said, swinging the door open.

I nodded, walking outside with a smirk.

We walked in silence for a minute; he wouldn't speak to me. In fact, he looked as if someone was following us.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

He turned to me in anger. “Of course there isn't; didn't you want the stupid walk anyway?”

Annoyance rushed deep in my skin, and I planted my fists against my hips. “No one forced you to, so stop acting like a baby!”

He rolled his eyes, shook his head, and muttered under his breath. “Fucking women.”

“You know I can hear you.” I replied.

“So what?” He spat. “We can do this the easy way, Sierra; invite me back to your place and get it over with.”

I scoffed, but I blushed from thinking about going to bed together. Thank God, it was so dark, he wouldn't see my face. “I don't think so.”

“Is this what you wanted all along?” Dante snapped. “You want me to beg?”

“You really think you're irresistible, don't you, Dante?” I sighed. “You must have gone out with women who had the IQ of a fish.”

He chuckled.

I frowned. “What's so funny?”

“Like you're any better.” He replied smoothly. “Serena.”

I held my fists tightly. Oh, he was so infuriating.

I reached into my purse. “Hey, I found this at the club the other night.”

“Huh?”

“Your phone?”

“Oh, right.”

He snatched it, quickly shoving it into his pocket. “Thanks.”

I stared at him, puzzled by his response. “You weren't worried at all?”

“No, I thought if the idiot tried to sell it on the streets, my guys would jump him.” Dante said casually.

I nodded.

“And kill him,” he added. “My personal items are very valuable.”

I nodded, but only because I was frightened. “That's very extreme over an iPhone.”

“No.” He shook his head, leaning forward. “This is extreme.”

Before I could ask what he meant, he grabbed me and crushed his mouth to mine. I gasped, pounding my fists into his chest, trying to push him away.

But then, curiosity won, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I kissed him back, deeper, tasting…until my breath was taken away.

Then a sharp voice that belonged to Howard cut through the air.

“Sierra, what the fuck!”

DANTE

“Let go!” Sierra whispered against my lips; my fingers dug into her hips. I nipped her lower lip.

“No,” I replied stubbornly; the rush of desire was too hard to resist until Sierra was pulled away from my arms.

“Break it up, you two!” Howard barked at us.

I tried to catch my breath, then a fist came flying at my face; I sidestepped easily. The idiot stumbled like a clumsy drunk, while I shoved my hands deep into my pockets, watching him.

Moron.

“Howie!” Sierra cried in alarm, reaching to hold him upright.

Howard glared at me as if in disbelief. “Oh, my God in Heaven. If you touch her again, I'll...”

“Or what, Monroe?” I asked, stepping forward in challenge.

Howard quickly jumped back in retreat. “Nothing, I'm sorry, I didn't realize it was you, Don Spinelli,” he muttered.

I nodded with an air of authority. “That's what I thought.”

Upon turning to Sierra, Howard's fingers gripped her face. “Are you okay, sis?”

She nodded. “Yes, I'm fine.”

Howard dragged his sister out of there, muttering. “Then, you're so dead.”

The whole thing was amusing, but it quickly washed away when flashes of red and blue lights reflected on my car when my driver was on the road.

A frown passed through my lips as I looked behind us.

“Boston PD!” the voice blared through the speakerphone. “Pull over.”

In two minutes, an officer slammed me hard against the hood of my car; handcuffs gripped my wrists tightly.

“...you have the right to remain silent,” the officer said.

I growled. “What the hell is this?”

At the police department, a male detective sat before me, thinking he was hot shit.

“We're holding you on multiple counts of physical assault on victim Gerald Locke,” the detective explained.

Silence passed before I broke into a laugh.

“Oh, he's serious.” I thought.

The detective leaned forward with all seriousness. “You broke four of his ribs and shot his leg; that's a year in jail for you, buddy, and if you value your precious freedom, I suggest you start talking.”

I drew a heavy sigh. “My attorney's not here. I need to make a call.”

“...Sorry, I'm not available at the moment,” the voicemail echoed in my ears. “Please leave a message.”

My heart raced, looking back to see the policeman watching me.

Fuck.

Why did Frankie choose this week to go on a vacation?

I left a message, and the policeman literally tossed me into a cell that smelled like piss, with three other guys inside.

This cannot be happening.

I sank into a bench, breathing hard to hold back the rage building inside of me, and I didn't realize one of the men had sat next to me.

“Hey pretty boy,” he sneered, reaching to touch my hair. I grabbed his fingers and twisted so hard a bone snapped; he fell to the floor, twisting in pain and swearing at me.

It was going to be a long night.

* * * * * * * *

SIERRA

“Sierra, I promise, you can date any guy you want,” Howard snapped at me. “But not a freaking Mafia boss!”

We stood outside my apartment block.

I glared at him. “For the last time, we're not dating!”

“Really?” Howard asked with sarcasm. “Because you two seemed to be having a blast, making out like a pair of teenagers!”

Heat crept into my cheek, but I folded my arms and held my ground.

Howard studied my face. “Is he making you do stuff to him at the club? Because I'm going to murder him.”

I shot him a dry look. “Of course not, and you couldn't even protect me if you could. You're the reason I'm stuck in heels and glitter, instead of ballet slippers, night after night!”

Howard rolled his eyes. “It's kept us alive, right? Listen carefully, stay away from Dante, you understand?”

Someone rang my doorbell as early as six; groaning, I climbed off my bed and moved into the living room.

I unlocked the door; on the other side was a familiar face. I'd seen him hanging around Dante. My legs began to tremble.

“Yes?” I said.

“I need you to come with me.”

I made a sound of disbelief. “I don't think so.”

As I started to shut the door, he caught it with his foot.

“It's important.” He pushed himself into the apartment. I stumbled back.

“You better leave, or I'm calling the police!” I warned him.

He didn't flinch. “Don Spinelli wants a favor from you,” he said firmly. “And you're going to do it.”

I waited as he told me about the situation.

I struggled not to laugh; I mean, this was exactly what I wanted.

“You're out of your mind,” I shot back. “I'm not bailing him out of jail!”

Then he mentioned something about breaking Howard's legs.

I froze.

“Alright.” I grabbed my phone off the couch; my heart raced. “Just give me five minutes... to change.”

He nodded, and I hurried into my room and dialed Seth's number.

“Send a SWAT team,” I pleaded. “If you don't get here soon, this guy's going to kill me!”

“Relax, let me think.” Seth said calmly.

I kept looking at the door, hoping he wouldn't break in.

“Wait, this could be good, Sierra.” Seth spoke. “Bail him out.”

“Isn't the goal to put Dante in jail?” I asked.

“Trust me, he'll get off easily.” Seth replied. “I just received word that his lawyer's out of town.”

“So, why ask me to do it?”

Seth let out a long breath.

“You really want me to spell it out?”

I didn't answer.

“It's because he won't say no to you, Sierra. Use that.”

Twenty minutes later, the man drove me to the police department.

Heads turned the moment I said why I was there. A woman bailing out a Mafia boss wasn't something they saw every day.

“What's your relationship with the suspect?” The detective asked me.

I kept a neutral expression as I filled out the form. “I wasn't aware that was required for bail, or are you just nosy?”

Then I heard the detective quietly say to his partner. “...Probably part of his string of lovers.”

I glared at him; just then an officer led Dante out in handcuffs. He looked exhausted but said nothing, his pride far too loud for a simple thank you.

Outside the station, he adjusted his wrinkled jacket, like nothing about sleeping in jail humiliated him. “I'll refund the bail. Maybe I'll throw in an extra tip for your Friday night performance.”

I didn't stop to think.

My palm cracked across his face before I could stop myself.