Alessandro’s brow furrowed as he watched me look at Marco. He said nothing more, his gaze slowly retracting.

He sat back down on the sofa, flipping through my report.

“This is good. Perfect, in fact.”

Marco’s face lit up. “Really, Don?”

“It’s the most detailed market analysis I’ve ever seen,” Alessandro said, his voice calm but filled with approval. “Miss Liliana’s skills are impressive.”

I felt a rush of pride. A compliment from the Don himself was no small thing.

The atmosphere lightened, and Marco even dared to joke, “Don, this is the first time I’ve ever seen you be so pleasant to a woman. You usually can’t stand them…”

He trailed off as Alessandro shot him an icy glare. Marco shrank back into his seat.

I glanced at Alessandro, curious.

The Don hated women?

Then why had he just stood so close to me?

“Liliana,” Alessandro said, turning to me. “I require a companion for an important business dinner tonight. You will accompany me.”

It wasn’t a question. It was a command.

“Of course. I would be honored,” I replied quickly.

“Good. My assistant will arrange everything for you,” Alessandro said, standing up. “Meet me in the lobby at six.”

Two hours later, I was in a high-end salon.

A team of stylists worked on my hair and makeup.

To my surprise, the gown and jewelry they had waiting for me were exactly my taste.

A simple, elegant, deep-blue silk dress.

The diamond necklace was understated but exquisite.

“These were all prepared at Mr. Falcone’s direction,” his assistant explained. “He said to choose a style that would suit you best.”

A wave of confusion washed over me.

How would Alessandro Falcone know my style?

At six o’clock sharp, I was in the lobby.

The moment Alessandro saw me, a flicker of admiration crossed his eyes.

“You look beautiful,” he said, extending his arm. “Ready?”

I felt my cheeks warm as I gently placed my hand on his arm.

The dinner was at a five-star hotel downtown, filled with Chicago’s political and business elite, as well as other mob figures. Everyone was impeccably dressed.

“Care to dance?” Alessandro asked as the music started.

I nodded, and he led me to the floor.

His large hand rested on the small of my back, his touch surprisingly hot, searing a brand through the silk of my dress and making my knees weak.

As we danced, Alessandro pulled me closer and closer, until my body was pressed flush against his chest. I could feel the heat radiating from him.

His lips deliberately brushed against my earlobe, sending a jolt straight down my spine.

For some reason, my mind flashed back to Rex and his bold, dirty talk.

This feeling… it was just like that.

I shook myself. Get a grip. Stop thinking about that asshole.

By the end of the dance, I was flushed and breathless. Alessandro, however, just had a small, satisfied smirk on his face.

“Don Falcone, and who is this lovely lady?” a middle-aged man asked as he approached us.

Alessandro’s arm tightened around me, pulling me in possessively, but he didn’t answer the man’s question.

His action was answer enough.

Feeling a bit awkward, I whispered in his ear, “I think I need a break.”

I walked over to the dessert table and picked up a piece of chocolate cake.

“You have a little something on your lip,” Alessandro said, appearing at my side. He reached out and gently wiped a crumb from the corner of my mouth with his thumb.

The gesture was so intimate, so natural, as if we were longtime lovers.

People around us were staring.

Looking at his face so close to mine, I felt my heart hammer against my ribs. So much for hating women and being celibate, I thought wryly.