The Mobster’s Violet

Zahn

I watched the gorgeous flower next to me in such a way that she probably had no idea that she was being scrutinized. My Violet was tiny and quite curvy in the best of ways. When I saw her at the ticket counter as I walked in, it was painfully apparent that she was fighting back a panic attack. Just the briefest of looks told me everything that I needed to know. “Rafe, find out what flight that lavender-haired lady is on and get her an upgrade to first class.”

Rafe nodded and headed for the ticket counter. He would talk to the supervisor and get it handled in a matter of minutes. He returned as we bypassed security. “Boss, the woman, Violet Jones, is on our flight, and the only available first-class seat was next to you.”

I nodded and kept my face blank. “That’s fine.” I was flying to Milan to take my place as head of the Vaneti family. Showing emotion was a weakness. Reacting to weakness caused mistakes. Mistakes caused you to get killed or in prison.

My mind wandered to why I was going back to Italy. Cassius Vaneti, my father, had frequently been ill this past year and decided it was time to hand over the reins. His one desire was that I marry soon.

I refused to marry for business. Family history was proof that course of action rarely turned out well. I planned not to marry at all. Who would want to be married to a criminal? What kind of life was that?

Clearing my head with a slight shake, I returned my attention to the reports in front of me. It appeared all was prepared for my return home. I was ready to leave the insanity of New York and return to the place that owned my heart, Milan. Shutting down my phone, I closed my eyes and relaxed as I felt the plane prepare for departure. Before long, I would be back where I belonged.

“I can do this. The ride will be a bit bumpy until the tires lift. The plane will continue to rise until it levels off. We have two capable pilots. Nothing will happen. Doing this is important for Dad. This is for him.”

My eyes mainly remained closed as I listened to her try to calm her fears, and I found her slipping a bit more past my walls. Prying her hand free from the armrest she was white-knuckling, I held it in mine and entwined our fingers. Gently squeezing her petite hand, I otherwise ignored her as I kept my eyes closed and rested.