The Mafia’s Princess

2. Meeting Him

I threw my backpack around my shoulder and grabbed my heavy suitcase off the terminal. I wandered my way through the airport, knowing I needed to catch a taxi.

I needed to figure out where I would be staying for now. I wasn’t ready to go home and see my grandfather yet. I would avoid him for as long as possible if I could.

I caught a taxi as soon as I exited the airport doors. This place was like a madhouse, reminding me of all the headaches that came with it.

I loaded my suitcase in the trunk and kept my backpack with me as I got in the backseat of the taxi.

“Where to, sweetheart?” The taxi driver asked out from the front seat.

“The Baccarat please.”

I definitely wasn’t gonna go back home just yet. I could stay in a hotel for a couple of days before I figured out when I wanted to see my grandfather again. Once he knew I was back, my freedom wouldn’t be the same anymore. I wasn’t looking forward to things changing just yet.

I loved my grandfather, I just didn’t love our legacy.

Night was soon approaching as the sun set out in the distance. The taxi drove down the busy street, making its way towards the Baccarat hotel.

It was the most expensive hotel in New York. What was even better was that I knew the owner. He was an older man who reminded me of the loving grandfather that I never had.

His name was Alfonso and he was the sweetest Italian you could have ever known. I stayed at his hotel over the years growing up, needing a home away from home. I would stay there sometimes to lay low whenever my grandfather and I weren't getting along.

Money has never been a problem for me. My grandfather has been paying me since I turned twelve. I’ve been doing jobs for him since then, always getting a cut for my efforts. As I got older, the more merciless the jobs, the better the pay. The money became the only thing I worked for at that point. I had millions saved before I got shipped off to Cambridge. I always knew I needed a backup plan if my arranged marriage didn’t last.

I guess I was always one step ahead of fate.

My surroundings blurred as I got lost in the memories of the past. So much so that I didn’t recognize that we pulled up outside of the Baccarat hotel.

“How much do I owe you?” I asked out towards the driver.

“$68.30”

I unzipped my bag and pulled out a stack of cash. I pulled a $100 bill from the stack, giving it to the driver.

“Keep the change sir, thanks for the ride.”

He smiled and gave me a polite nod. I got out and grabbed my suitcase from the trunk, making my way into the grand Baccarat building.

I forgot how cold it was here, earning myself a slight chill. I didn’t necessarily dress for the weather, considering I was wearing a white tank top with a pair of black skinny jeans.

Everything was grand and expensive looking in the lobby of the hotel. It was like everything was made of glass and crystal. It’s changed from the last time I’ve seen it, but I’m sure Alfonso wanted a change in decor. He liked to change things up, I’m sure he’ll tell me exactly why he did it.

I walked my things over to the front desk, introducing myself to the pretty blonde receptionist.

“I would like to purchase a room please.”

“How many days will you be staying with us?” She asked out with a nice smile.

“Not sure, let’s just do a week for now.” I said back, “I can always pay for more if I need it.”

“Of course, you can always pay for more and get your money back for what you don’t use.” She typed on her computer, getting some rates for me.

“Great.” I said back nicely as I took a chance to look around.

A lot had changed since I’ve been here six years ago, but the bones were still the same. I knew this hotel like the back of my hand, regardless of how different it looked on the inside.

“What kind of room would you like? We have multiple single rooms, a couple of suites open and only one presidential suite available.”

“Is the penthouse available?” I asked back, knowing I’ve always loved staying there.

“Not anymore, it was purchased by our top buyer a year ago.”

I frowned, not really liking her answer.

“Okay, I’ll take the presidential suite then.”

“Great, that will be $26,578 for the week.” She said back with a smile, showing me her pretty white teeth. “What name should I put it under?”

“Val Davis, please.” I pulled out my wallet from my bag and handed my credit card over to her.

“Thank you.” She took my card and swiped it.

Val Davis was an alias of mine. My real name was Valentina Genovese, but I don’t use that name unless I absolutely had to. Most people know me by Val anyways. I like it better than Valentina. Davis was my mother’s matron name, but the mafia wouldn’t recognize that last name if I introduced myself with it.

She gave me two key cards, along with my credit card back.

“You are staying on the 48th floor, in room 4806.”

“Thank you so much.” I said back gratefully.

“Can I help you with anything else?”

“Yes, can you take me to Alfonso. I would love to see him before I go up to my room.”

“Alfonso?” She questioned with confusion on her face.

“Yes, the owner of the hotel.”

“Oh, the owner.” She chuckled back as she walked around the desk, meeting me. “He’s playing his nightly poker with his men.”

Poker?

Alfonso didn’t dabble in poker or casino games for that matter. He wasn’t a gambler, he’s always told me that.

“Follow me Ms. Davis.” She began walking through the hotel, leaving me no choice but to follow her.

I slipped my keycards into my back pocket and dragged my suitcase with me as she led me towards the back of the hotel. The only thing back here was the casino and private rooms beyond it.

Poker tables and slot machines filled the floor. I could see the drunk gamblers losing their money on luck they thought they had.

Stupid idiots.

We walked through the casino, making our way back into the hallway where the private rooms were. I watched as she stopped at the last door, knocking before opening it.

I walked past her, entering through the door.

There were about eight men playing poker at a large round wooden table. Cards were sprawled out all over the table, letting me know they were getting towards the end of their game. Our presence didn’t seem to interrupt them as they continued their conversation, seeming to enjoy each other's company by the way they laughed at each other's banter.

Weird thing was that I didn’t see Alfonso. He wasn’t sitting at the table and he wasn’t in the room anywhere.

“Are you sure Alfonso is here? I don’t see him anywhere.” I questioned as I looked back at the receptionist before she left.

“I’m sorry, I don’t know who Alfonso is. I thought you wanted to see the owner of the hotel, he is right there.” She said back as she pointed towards a man who was staring right at us.

I swallowed the lump in my throat as I took all of him in.

The man had dark eyes that complimented his bronze Italian skin. He had black hair that was slicked back to perfection, letting me know he was definitely apart of the mafia. All Mafia men looked the same with their dark eyes and dark hair that was always slicked back.

But this man was different.

His aura was screaming danger, almost as if the devil himself would hate to go up against him. His strong jawline could cut anybody who dared to touch him. Not to mention the way his broad and wide shoulders stiffened against the wooden chair he sat in. His large muscles popped out of his crisp navy blue suit that he wore, making it so much harder for me to ignore the s*x appeal he exuded. His stubble was lined to perfection, making me want to glide my fingers through his short beard.

I looked away, shaking the dirty thoughts from my head.

It has been a long time since I’ve been with a man. Maybe that was why I was getting so hot and bothered at the way that man looked at me. It looked as if he wanted to devour me whole if we were the only ones in the room.

Honestly I don’t think I would stop him if he wanted to.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.” I said back to the receptionist, “Alfonso is the owner, that’s not Alfonso.”

“I think you're mistaken Ms. Davis, that is the owner right there, Mr. Gambino.”

Gambino?!

As in the Gambino crime family?!

“What’s wrong Michelle?” The man asked with power and dominance lacing his voice.

Silence filled the air as all their eyes turned to us.

“Sorry to interrupt you Mr. Gambino, but Ms. Davis was looking for the owner of the hotel.” Michelle the receptionist, looked nervous for some reason. Maybe she thought he would bite, I mean he did look like he could devour her in one whole bite.

“Actually I was looking for Alfonso, the real owner of this hotel.” I said out, making some of the men chuckle in a deep and rugged tone.

“I told her I don’t know who Alfonso is, Mr. Gambino.” Michelle said back, before the man could open his mouth.

“Don’t worry about it Michelle, you can leave now. Thank you.”

“Of course Mr. Gambino. Please let me know if I can help you with anything else.” She bowed her head with blush coating her cheeks before turning back to me.

“Would you like me to have your luggage sent up to your room?”

“Sure.” I said back softly as I handed my suitcase over to her.

I watched as she left the room with my suitcase in tow.

Coming here was definitely the wrong choice.