BOW DOWN: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (Barone Crime Family) Read Online Free Page B

walked outside together.
    “You’ll see.”
    My driver was waiting for us already. We climbed into the back of the black town car and pulled out, heading downtown. We went maybe two blocks before the car pulled over.
    “We’re here,” I said, grinning.
    She laughed. “We could have walked.”
    “Maybe. But this was more fun.” I got out, opened her door, and helped her out.
    We walked up to the restaurant’s front door. It was shut and locked, so I knocked twice. A minute later, Jean-Luc Brossard answered.
    “Jean-Luc,” I said. “Good to see you.”
    “Wyatt!” He hugged me. “And this must be your date.”
    “Louisa.”
    “Come in. We’re all set.”
    She cocked her head at me as we stepped inside. I just smiled at her.
    Jean-Luc was a Michelin Star restaurant owner and chef, one of the best in the city. His restaurant, The Salty Cod, was a highly sought-after place, and reservations were impossible to get.
    We had the whole place to ourselves. There was a single table with a candle burning in the center as we entered. Louisa smiled at me as we were seated and Jean-Luc went into the back to prepare the meal. It was a fixed menu, since I knew better than to question Jean-Luc on food. When the wine was served, Louisa shook her head.
    “How?” she asked.
    “Jean-Luc is a friend.”
    “Still. Getting him to close for the night just for you?”
    “He’s not doing it for free. But he also owed me a few favors.”
    “You cashed them in for me?”
    “I did.”
    “You could have used this to impress some disgustingly wealthy donor.”
    “I could have.”
    “But you didn’t.” She smiled and leaned forward. “Interesting.”
    “I knew you’d be interested.” I sipped my wine. “But now I want to talk about something that interests me.”
    “By all means.” Her smile was coy and alluring.
    “Your business proposal.”
    “Of course.” She sipped her wine. “That’s delicious.”
    “Thank Jean-Luc.”
    “I will.” She leaned back in her chair, smiling at me. “What do you want to know?”
    “How about we begin with what I already know.”
    “Go ahead,” she said.
    “I know your name”
    “Of course you do.”
    “No,” I said slowly. “Your real name. You weren’t easy to track down, Louisa Barone.”
    That had the desired effect. She seemed very surprised that I knew exactly who she was, and I was hoping it put her a little off balance.
    “I was careful,” she said.
    “You were. But Ethan is very good at his job.”
    “Well then. My congratulations to Ethan.”
    “I’ll pass them along.”
    “So you know who I am.”
    “I do, and I know who your father is, and what his organization does.”
    “Of course you do.”
    “Is this meeting because of him?”
    “No,” she said seriously. “I have nothing to do with my father.”
    I raised an eyebrow. “I’ve heard about you,” I said. “I heard you don’t leave your room.”
    “An old story. One that clearly isn’t true.”
    “Clearly.” I paused. “If you have nothing to do with your father, what is this about?”
    Just then, the waiter returned with the first course. It was a decadent platter of smoked meats, fishes, and cheeses. He quickly walked us through what each thing was before excusing himself professionally.
    I took a bite, letting her stew for a moment. She sighed and sipped her drink then stared at me.
    “It’s about my own organization.”
    “What sort of organization?”
    “Wyatt, have you heard of the Spiders?”
    I narrowed my eyes at her. The Spiders were mainly a rumor that circulated all over the city. They were supposedly a group of people that attacked and killed mafia men, though nobody knew why or who they were. The Spiders were dangerous, that was for certain.
    “I’ve heard things,” I said.
    “Most of it is true,” she said. “And I’m in charge of them.”
    That shocked me. “I can’t say I believe that.”
    “It’s hard, I know. But it’s the truth.”
    “So then you’re