Mafia Bride's Kiss

Prologue

Las Vegas, the enchanting city of nighttime entertainment, captivates tourists worldwide. Music from luxurious casinos resonates inside and outside the premises, while women in glittering dresses flash seductive smiles at the guests. Yet none of this could rival the excitement surrounding the poker table at the center of the casino, where cheers erupted after every high-stakes movement.

In another corner of the casino, the atmosphere was equally electrifying. A sharp-featured man with dark brown hair and captivating gray eyes fixed his gaze on the woman beside him. Her luscious figure spilled out of a vibrant pink dress, and her flirtatious smile made the man melt on the spot. This drink-serving lady had agreed to spend the night with him for a considerable fee.

William, a well-known playboy and a regular at this casino, could barely contain himself in front of the alluring woman. He wanted nothing more than to scoop her into his arms and carry her to the suit he had reserved upstairs.

"I'll be right back," she said sweetly, flashing a mesmerizing smile before excusing herself and walking away. As soon as she was out of his sight, her alluring expression vanished, replaced by one of disgust. She stepped outside the noisy casino, its deafening clamor almost unbearable.

"Hey! I've been looking everywhere for you. What are you doing out here?" a voice called out, startling her. She turned to see a woman in a strapless black dress with auburn curls smiling at her warmly.

"Nothing. Just needed some air," she replied casually.

"Is that so? Here..." The woman pulled a small vial from her purse and handed it over. "I thought you didn't take clients. What made you change your mind? You've always refused. You hate even just sitting and drinking with them, let alone this."

"I just thought I'd try something new," the woman replied. "How do I use it?"

"Dab it on yourself. It's just a mild sedative," the other woman explained.

She nodded in understanding. "I'd better head back inside."

"Good luck," her friend said with a knowing smile.

The woman returned to the casino after being away for almost fifteen minutes. She approached William with a radiant smile and sat down beside him.

William leaned in, placing a diamond necklace around her neck. "Do you like it?"

"Is this for me?" she asked in a sweet voice.

"Of course," he replied. "If there's anything else you want, just let me know. I'll make it happen."

"Then I'll tell you," She said coyly, inching closer to him, "but not here. Carry me upstairs, and I'll whisper my desires to you."

Unable to resist, William lifted her effortlessly and carried her to the elevator.

"What's your special wish, beautiful?" William asked as the elevator ascended floor by floor.

She looked into his eyes with a sultry smile. "If I ask, will you give me everything I want?"

"Anything you desire," he replied confidently. "A house? A condo? A luxury car? Or a designer wardrobe? Just name it."

The elevator doors opened just as he finished speaking. He stepped out, casting a hungry gaze at her.

"Whatever you want," she responded with a sweet smile.

Moments later, they stopped at the door of his suite. William pulled out a key card from his pocket and unlocked the door. Without hesitation, he stepped inside, closing the door quickly behind them. He walked straight to the sofa, gently placing her down and leaning over her. His intense gaze made her heart race.

"Wait," she said, pressing her hand against his chest. "You haven't tipped me for tonight yet. Usually, your girls get their tip before anything else happens."

"I'll pay you later. Right now, I just want-" His voice trailed off, his desire evident.

"Sure," she said softly, feigning disappointment. Her tone made him pause. Relenting, he stood up, pulling out his wallet and handing her a generous sum of money.

She accepted the cash with a sweet smile, but as he leaned in again, she gently pushed him back. "Let me freshen up in the bathroom first," she said.

"Alright," William replied, reluctantly stepping aside.

In the bathroom, the large mirror reflected her stunning visage. She turned on the faucet, letting the cold-water wash over her hands. After drying them, she pulled a small brown vial from the hidden pocket of her pink dress. Opening it carefully, she dabbed the liquid on her neck, arms, and chest. With one last glance at herself in the mirror, she left the bathroom.

William, clad only in a towel around his waist, watched her approach with a smoldering look. He immediately swept her up into his arms and carried her to bed, wasting no time. His face buried itself against her ample chest, his lips grazing her skin as if savoring a gourmet meal.

"Why the rush?" she teased, her voice tinged with playful disapproval. "Do you have another woman waiting for you tonight?"

"No, beautiful. Tonight, I just want to spend a long, wonderful evening with you," he murmured, his hands moving to unzip her dress.

"Really?" she asked sweetly.

"Yes," he whispered, his lips trailing from her neck to her shoulder. "This is going to be an unforgettable night for us, my love."

But just as he buried his face against her once more, his breathing suddenly grew heavy. Within moments, he was fast asleep. She pushed his body gently to ensure he was fully unconscious, then exhaled a sigh of relief.

Quickly, she tidied her dress, gathered her belongings, and slipped out of the suite without a sound.

Chapter 1 Running Away

Morning sunlight streamed through the curtains from the east, prompting the woman to shift away from its glare. But it wasn't the light that forced her to rise, it was the loud, incessant knock on the front gate, rousing her from her bed instantly.

Rose sluggishly sat up, her movements heavy with sleep, before heading toward the door. Opening it, she was met with the stern gaze of an older woman.

"Aunt Sofphia..." Rose muttered groggily, addressing her aunt.

"Get up already," Sofphia commanded.

"Just a little longer, please. I'm still so tired," Rose pleaded, rubbing her eyes.

"No! And where were you last night, coming home so late?" Sofphia's tone was sharp, her frustration palpable. It wasn't the first time she'd stayed awake, worrying, as her niece came home at ungodly hours.

"I was working," Rose replied flatly.

"At the casino again, wasn't it? How many times have I told you to quit that place? Why don't you find something else? There are plenty of other night jobs out there," Sofphia chastised, her expression darkening with anger and disapproval.

"This is the only way to keep us from starving," Rose explained earnestly. She understood their financial situation well-ever since Uncle Joshua had passed away the previous year, their household had been in steady decline.

"We're not that desperate. I can take care of us. I don't want you to get involved in that hellish casino. It's a den of vice, and this house doesn't need money earned from there," Sofphia retorted firmly.

"Aunt, nothing bad has happened. And as for our expenses..." Rose paused, her voice softening. "Leave that to me."

"I'm begging you, Rose. Don't do anything risky. If your parents were alive to see this, I wouldn't be able to sleep," Sofphia said, her voice tinged with desperation. This time, Rose couldn't hold back the discomfort in her expression, but she smiled faintly and nodded.

"Alright," she said simply.

Sofphia's face softened with relief, and she stepped forward to embrace Rose in a gesture of concern and care.

After their conversation, Sofphia went downstairs to prepare breakfast while Rose shut her door with a sigh. She hurriedly showered, changed clothes, and joined her aunt at the dining table.

Once breakfast was done, Rose grabbed her bag and other essentials before stepping out of the house. Sofphia remained in the living room; her eyes glued to the television.

Closing the door behind her, Rose exhaled, her exhaustion evident. During the day, she worked as a regular employee at a private company. But at night, she worked as a drink hostess in a casino, where her nightly income matched nearly half her monthly salary. The money was good, but it came at the cost of enduring the unwanted advances of patrons.

Rose walked along the sidewalk, heading out of the neighborhood. Instead of taking a taxi, she remembered a pawn shop nearby. The diamond necklace a man had given her at the casino the night before was still in her possession, waiting to be sold. Walking two more blocks, she reached the main road. Spotting a jewelry shop across the street, she waited for the traffic light to turn red before quickly crossing.

The cool air inside the jewelry store was a welcome relief. Wealthy patrons haggled over prices, their voices rising above the glittering displays of diamond rings and necklaces. Rose approached the counter, her eyes meeting those of the saleswoman, who greeted her with a professional smile.

"Hello," Rose began. "I'd like to sell this necklace."

She pulled out the necklace from her bag and placed it on the counter. The shimmering silver heart pendant, adorned with tiny diamond droplets, sparkled under the light.

The saleswoman looked momentarily stunned before asking, "Are you sure you want to sell this?"

"Yes," Rose replied curtly.

After a brief transaction, the necklace was sold, and Rose left with a substantial check in her bag. As she exited the store, an unsettling feeling crept over her. Glancing around, she noticed a pair of men watching her. Quickening her pace, she cast a nervous glance over her shoulder. The faster she walked, the more certain she became that the men were following her. Without a second thought, she broke into a run.

The men immediately gave chase. Rose turned sharply into the nearest alley, her heart pounding in her chest. The sound of their footsteps grew louder, spurring her to dart into another side street. She stopped at the corner of a building, pressing herself against the wall and holding her breath as the two men ran past.

Exhaling in relief, she cautiously peeked around the corner to ensure the coast was clear. Certain she was no longer being followed, she stepped out and began racing. But then, the sound of shouting erupted behind her.

"There she is! Quick, after her!"

Rose didn't waste a second. She sprinted as fast as her legs could carry her, her only goal to escape. She didn't care why they were after her-survival was all that mattered.

Reaching the end of the alley, she came to a halt, panting heavily. She glanced left and right, then over her shoulder, relieved to see no sign of her pursuers. She tried to piece together what had just happened. The men... Their faces looked familiar.

Then it clicked.

She had seen them before-at a nightclub, on the night she'd been with that man. Could they be after her because of that?

No, it couldn't be. She hadn't done anything serious, just slipped him into a sedative. And he had paid her willingly.

Returning home cautiously, Rose froze when she saw the two men standing by her front gate.

"What should I do?"

She whispered, scanning her surroundings for another way in. Slowly retreating, she made her way to the back fence. It was just as tall as she was, but there was no other option. She tossed her bag over first, then climbed up and over with care. Safely on the other side, she exhaled in relief.

Entering through the back door, she tiptoed through the kitchen. The house was eerily quiet, as though no one was home. Rose hurried upstairs to her room, locking the door behind her. She peeked out the curtains, her heart racing as she watched the two men outside. One was on the phone, while the other appeared to be scanning the area. Would they break in?

They finally walked away, their silhouettes fading into the distance. Rose sighed a long sigh of relief and collapsed onto her bed, still trembling.

Chapter 2 Drugged Up

In a lavish office adorned with Parisian furniture, the tense atmosphere was palpable. The rhythmic tapping of fingers against an expensive leather chair mirrored the frustration of the man seated there. William was on the verge of exploding. Waking up fully clothed in his luxurious suite the next morning was humiliating enough, but realizing a woman had drugged him - was an indignity he had never experienced. He didn't even know when it happened.

"You couldn't catch her?" William's voice was bitter, his words laced with barely contained fury. The idea that he, of all people, had been outsmarted and humiliated left him seething.

"Sorry, sir. She ran too fast. We couldn't keep up," Charlie, one of his bodyguards, replied firmly, though there was a hint of unease in his tone.

"You're telling me two men couldn't catch one woman?" William's voice rose slightly, his disbelief evident.

"Sir," interrupted another guard, his entrance causing both Charlie and his companion to stiffen, knowing this might escalate further. They braced themselves, anticipating William's wrath-and potentially a cut in their pay.

"What is it?" William snapped.

"Mr. Sofph is here to see you. He's waiting in the lounge," Rick informed his boss. William sighed heavily, attempting to regain composure, before waving them off.

"You're both useless. Get out of my sight," he barked before striding out of the office.

Making his way to the lounge, William's long strides brought him to a plush sofa where his cousin, Antonio, was already seated. Despite his attempt at maintaining a neutral expression, Antonio could immediately sense his cousin's simmering anger.

"You don't look too pleased," Antonio commented in English, his casual tone juxtaposing William's tension.

"Just a minor issue. Why are you here two days early? Is something wrong?" William replied, his tone easing into politeness.

"Not at all," Antonio said, sipping his coffee. "I wrapped up work earlier than expected and thought I'd spend a few days relaxing here in Vegas."

It wasn't Antonio's first visit to the city, but it was rare for him to take time off. His normally packed schedule left little room for leisure.

"I've heard this city has some renowned casinos. Care to show me around?" Antonio teased. The mention of casinos immediately reminded William of the previous night's debacle, and he couldn't help but grumble.

"There's a lot to see, but honestly, I'm not in the mood. Thinking about it just makes me furious."

Antonio raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What happened? Did someone break your heart, or was it something else?"

"Break my heart? No. I found someone intriguing, but I didn't get what I wanted," William admitted, his voice laced with bitterness.

"What do you mean?" Antonio pressed, his calm demeanor betraying his curiosity.

"Well, last night..." William began recounting his encounter, from meeting the woman to waking up the next morning fully clothed and alone in his suite. Despite his years of experience, he couldn't pinpoint when she had managed to drug him.

"You? Are you serious?" Antonio chuckled. The idea of a notorious playboy like William being outwitted by a woman was undeniably amusing.

"It's not funny," William said, his tone turning serious. "She ruined my reputation. Do you have any idea what this does to me?"

"Who is this woman?" Antonio asked, his interest piqued. For someone as smooth as William to fall victim to a woman, she had to be extraordinary.

"You don't need to know," William replied curtly, though his deflection only heightened Antonio's curiosity. Anyone capable of putting William in his place deserved a closer look.

"Is that so?" Antonio said with a smile. "Well, I guess this will bother you for a while if you don't see her again."

William scowled. "It already does."

After returning home from her day job, Rose headed to her room to change. She slipped into a tight red dress that accentuated her curves and applied light makeup. Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she managed to make a faint smile, though her expression betrayed her worries. Her family's financial situation was a heavy burden, and the rent wasn't going to pay itself. Grabbing her purse, she sighed and left the room.

Hearing footsteps descending the stairs, Sofphia looked up to see Rose dressed for work. Her face immediately darkened with disapproval.

"Where are you going this time?" Sofphia demanded.

"To work," Rose replied simply, moving past her aunt.

"Quit! That place has nothing good to offer," Sofphia said sharply.

"Aunt, you know my office salary isn't enough to cover the rent and our other expenses. What I'm doing might not be ideal, but it's the only way," Rose said. For her, the casino wasn't a choice-it was a necessity.

"It's too dangerous. I don't want you involved in that world," Sofphia said, her voice tinged with concern. Rose appreciated her aunt's worry, but she couldn't bear to see the woman who raised her struggle to make ends meet.

"I must go, Aunt. I'll see you later," Rose said, cutting the conversation short and leaving the house without looking back. Closing the door, she took a deep breath and began walking. The wealthy patrons of the casino probably didn't care about anything beyond their pleasures, but for Rose, the job meant survival.