Tower of Temptations – Seven Ways To Sin Read Online Nicole Casey

Categories Genre: Alpha Male, Contemporary, Mafia Tags Authors: Nicole Casey Advertisement

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Before she could press further, the sound of footsteps in the hallway made my heart stop.

"Shit, I've got to go," I whispered.

"Text me later?"

I barely managed a nod before slamming the laptop shut, my heart racing. Vittorio would be here any second, and I was far from ready. If he caught me anything less than perfect...

I was still trying to steady my breathing when his voice echoed through the suite like a thunderclap. "Where's my birthday girl?"

I shuddered slightly, a reflex I couldn't suppress. His act of being the generous family man was something I'd seen through a long time ago, ever since my mother had started dating him.

For a second, I could see her face so clearly—the way her eyes crinkled when she laughed, how her whole face lit up. That soft jasmine scent she always wore...

"Pearl?" Vittorio's voice calling again, insistent.

Crap. I swiped under my eyes—mascara intact, thank god.

"In here, Dad! Just a minute," I called, forcing a cheerful tone into my voice.

When I stepped out, Vittorio was near the dining area, leaning over to closely inspect the Picasso painting that hung above the fireplace. His fingers hovered near the painting like he couldn't resist touching it. A white bakery box sat on the table behind him.

"I'll have to get that restorer over here," he muttered to himself. Vittorio loved his art, I had to give him that. Then he turned to me with a big smile. "There you are. Beautiful as always."

I fought the urge to wrap my arms around myself. "Thank you," I murmured, then gestured to the painting. "This one's new?"

"Just arrived." His fingers traced the air above the canvas, possessive. "Quite the masterpiece, wouldn't you say?"

I stared at the violent slashes of color, wondering if he saw the same chaos I did. "It's striking."

"A woman should know how to appreciate beauty, Pearl." His voice carried that familiar edge of warning beneath the softness.

My skin prickled at his words, at the way he could make everything sound like both a lesson and a threat. I forced myself to stay still, to keep my voice light. "Would you like a drink, Dad? We have ginger ale."

He gave the painting one last look before turning to me. "You know what I like. Bring two. And get Nan to bring plates for the cake."

Without waiting for my answer, he pulled out a chair and sat down, checking his watch as he did.

I headed to the kitchen. Nan was already gathering plates and utensils. I was always amazed by her quiet way of knowing exactly what I needed.

When I returned, Vittorio had opened the cake box. He held it up for me to see, a pleased smile on his face. I nearly dropped the ginger ale.

The cake read, Happy Birthday to My Little Girl.

"It's your favorite," Vittorio said, oblivious to the irony. "Red velvet with cream cheese frosting. The best they had."

My throat tightened as I stared at those childish pink letters. Twenty-one.

This was supposed to be my time to become a woman, to figure out who I really was. Right now, girls my age were probably out there making their own choices, their own mistakes. Actually living.

But looking at Vittorio's pleased smile, I knew—he'd never see me that way. I'd always be his little girl he could control.

"Make a wish," he said, striking a match.

I kept my face perfectly still, the way he'd taught me, and watched the flame.

And like every birthday before, I wished for something I knew would never come true.

2

GIULIANO

There's a specific kind of quiet that comes before everything changes. I felt it in the air tonight, mixing with the salt breeze that crept through the compound's gardens. Providence's lights winked at me through the study windows as if the city knew what waited in its future.

Her surveillance photo lay face-down on my desk. I'd stopped looking at it hours ago, but I could still see those eyes. That defiance.

Somewhere out there in that glittering sprawl of lights, she was probably getting ready for bed, no idea her world would shatter tomorrow.

I caught my reflection in the window—straightened my tie, ran a hand through my dark curls. The glass made my olive skin look almost ghostly in the darkness. I looked like someone else standing there, someone worthy of the Barbieri name. Or maybe that's what she'd see tomorrow. Wonder if she'd hate me on sight. Not that it mattered.

The weight of my father's ring pressed against my skin as I twisted it. Two years in this office, and it still felt like borrowed space. Like everything else I'd been given—temporary. Conditional.

But not after tomorrow.

The door opened, bringing the scent of leather and gunmetal. My chosen crew filed in like wolves answering a call. Six of Providence's deadliest, each with their own score to settle with Salvatore. And tonight, we'd settle them all.


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