Ruthless: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance Read Online Free Page B

myself at the foot of the steps, off to the side so that as soon as the guests were out of their car, I'd be able to get the keys and park the vehicle.
    For the most part, most of the guests ignored me, which was both relieving and infuriating at the same time. It was infuriating in that even the Bertoli men whom I'd met and worked with on occasion before ignored me, like I was some sort of invisible ghost who just magically took their keys and parked their cars via teleportation or something. Is it that hard to at least say, 'here you are', or even better, 'thanks'?
    After about an hour and a half, Luisa shook her head when she saw the next car pull up. " Mi hermano. ¿O que diabos ele está pensando?"
    "I'm sorry, Mrs. Bertoli, what was that?" I said, trying to at least not be invisible. "Do you need help?”
    "No, thank you. I said it's my brother from Brazil," she said as the car pulled up. I had to admit it was the most ridiculously over-the-top type of supercar I'd ever seen, a shiny gold-painted abomination with enough body kit, specialized fender, spoiler, supercharger, and other additions to nearly obliterate the fact that at one point, the car had been a Ferrari . . . I think.
    The driver revved the engine to nearly screaming levels three or four times before idling and opening the gull-wing door and getting out. Whoever he was, he was tall, well put together, and had that sort of annoying arrogance that I hated and wanted at the same time, because it belonged to a man who knew he could get whatever he wanted and was rarely told no. "Ei irmã. Há quanto tempo."
    "It's been a long time, Eduardo. You're late."
    "Don’t blame me. Blame the stupid Norte immigration services," Eduardo said as he came around. I wasn't looking carefully enough, or perhaps I was just tired after running around and parking cars for nearly two hours, but as I came around the side of the car, I bumped into Eduardo, my hip smacking into his.
    "Sorry," I said, reaching for the door handle on the car. I was turned away from Eduardo, so I was caught off guard when he shoved me from behind, sending me sprawling onto the gravel.
    "Stupid piece of shit. What the fuck were you thinking?" Eduardo said, his voice low and deadly. I turned around on my back, my hands up to try and defend myself, when Luisa interrupted things.
    "Eduardo!" she barked, stopping her brother in the middle of bringing his leg back to kick me. "It was a mistake. Go inside before you make a scene.”
    Eduardo looked at his sister, then back at me. He was angry, not only at what I'd done, but also at being interrupted by his sister. "Stay out of my way."
    He turned and walked away, and I got to my feet, brushing myself off. I noticed that my suit coat had ripped along the bottom edge and sighed, hoping I could find a replacement coat at Penney's instead of having to buy a whole new suit.
    I was so focused on my suit coat that I didn't hear Luisa come around the car, standing in front of me. "Are you all right?"
    I was startled, and I jumped slightly when I looked up and saw the tall woman looking me directly in the eyes with her disconcerting black eyes. She was beautiful, almost too beautiful. "Uh . . . yeah, Mrs. Bertoli. It's not a great suit anyway."
    She nodded and looked at the cut. "After the party, I’ll give you the money for a new coat. My brother gets in those moods sometimes."
    "Thank you, Mrs. Bertoli, but you don't need to. Really." Of course, I was lying. Anyone who would wear a two-year-old JC Penny suit to the Bertoli mansion wasn't someone who could afford to replace it at the drop of a hat, but I remembered my courtesy as best I could.
    "It doesn't matter. Remember, during the cleanup, find me," she said. Just then, another car pulled up, an old Honda that made my car look like it was showroom new, and she smiled. "In fact, leave my brother's car here. Take care of this car first, premium parking spot."
    The car shut down, and a tiny Latina got out, so