Title: The Killer In You
Series: Love in Midlife Series #3
Author: Dakota Madison
Genre: New Love in Midlife Romance
Published: August 3, 2016
Falling in love with your boss’s wife is never a good idea, especially when you’re a mobster.
Mia Corrado can’t remember that last time she’s has sex with her husband, Nicky. He’s been preoccupied with his job as the head New Jersey’s most powerful crime family and all of the wild oats he sews on the side.
When Nicky tells Mia he’s too busy to attend her college reunion, and wants to send one of his underlings to accompany her, Mia is completely fed up.
Until she discovers it is Luka Russo who will be escorting her. He’s handsome, charming and sensitive, definitely not the typical mobster.
Mia is completely captivated by him.
And Luka is just as smitten with Mia.
But if they act on their feelings for each other Luka may end up sleeping with the fishes.
Go BACK TO BOOKMAN with USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR Dakota Madison’s #LoveinMidlife #ComingofMiddleAge romance series.
Each full-length novel in Dakota Madison’s LOVE IN MIDLIFE romance series can be read as a stand-alone or as part of the series. Each story features one of the graduates of Bookman College attending their 25th reunion.
Two
Luka
What I think might be a quiet day turns out to be anything but. As soon as the boss enters our small office I can see he’s got something on his mind. The lines etched on his forehead are more prominent than usual and his lips are puckered.
I know better than to ask what’s wrong. He’ll tell me when he’s ready. Then he’ll make me solve whatever difficulties he’s dealing with.
That’s the way it works in this business. As the underboss I’m the one who makes all of the boss’s problems go away.
Nicky likes to keep his legitimate business, the Pizza King, separate from his not-so-legal business dealings, so the office we use for our mob activities is located in a strip mall between a nail salon and a copy shop. Our front is a real estate office, but we never actually have any listings or sell houses. But we do have a broker, who makes a nice salary for sitting out front and handling any walk-ins or phone calls.
Nicky takes a gulp of his black coffee before he turns his attention to me.
“There’s something I’d like for you to do.” He points a finger at me. “You’re the only person I can really trust.”
Good morning to you too. “Anything. You know you just have to ask.”
A few months ago someone tried to whack Nicky. Luckily the shooter botched the hit. We all thought the Philly-South Jersey crew was responsible, but we haven’t found any proof yet.
Maybe Nicky discovered something and he’s ready for retaliation.
“I’d like you to escort my wife to her college reunion.”
That’s completely out of left field. “What?”
“Her reunion,” he repeats a little louder, as if hearing him was the problem.
The problem is the request is ridiculous. As fond as I may be of Mia, babysitting his wife isn’t in my job description.
“Why can’t you accompany her?” I realize my question may come across as insubordination, which is definitely frowned upon in our line of work, but his request goes above and beyond my job requirements.
Break a guy’s legs; that’s something I can do in my sleep. Take his wife to some dance; I don’t think so.
“I don’t remember this being a democracy. I give the orders and you carry them out. That’s the way this thing of ours works.”
I blow out air hoping to make his request somehow magically disappear. No such luck. He’s looking at me with anticipation.
“When is her reunion?”
“Labor Day weekend.” He gives me a sly grin.
He’s been talking our ears off about going to Tampa for the holiday weekend to spend time with his new comare. Apparently she’s a hot young nurse and he’s crazy about her.
Even though it’s common for guys like us to have mistresses it’s not something I approve of. I’ve never been a believer in multitasking, especially with affairs of the heart.
I believe a man should cherish the woman he has at home, especially if she’s the mother of his children.
On this point I differ from nearly all of my friends. Most of the guys in our crew want to have their cannoli and eat them too.
“It’s the whole weekend?” I ask.
He nods. “Bookman is a small town. The hotel was sold out, but I was able to talk the owners into renting Mia one of their suites. It has a separate bedroom and you get the sleeper couch in the living room.”
I remember driving through Bookman once on my way to Old Town. I blinked twice and missed the place.
“Why do you need for me to go with her?”
“Because I said so. Isn’t that reason enough?”
“Of course, but is there anything specific I should be doing while I’m there?”
He nods. “You need to make sure no one touches Mia. Capisce?”
“Do you really think that’s going to be a problem?” Not that I don’t think his wife is an attractive woman, but she seems to be devoted to Nicky.
The two of them were high school sweethearts. They’ve been together for years.
“I attended one of my high school reunions.” He holds up his index finger for emphasis. “I know what goes on. A lot of reconnecting with old flames. I don’t want any of those guys even thinking about reconnecting with Mia.”
“Got it, boss.”
“If anyone lays a hand on my wife, make sure he loses his hand. If anyone puts any other body parts where they don’t belong make sure he loses those too.”
He makes a point of staring at my crotch, as if I’d engage in any type of indiscretion with his wife. I value my job, and my body parts, too much.
“Anything else?”
“Have fun dancing to Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch.”
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
Nicky
doesn't have much else to offer. He's
like the most attractive package under the Christmas tree. The one you can't wait to open because there
must be something wonderful inside.
What a letdown when you realize the box was placed under the tree just
for show and inside it's completely empty.
Getting a
compliment out of my husband is like trying to get a diamond from coal - both
take a long time and require a lot of pressure.
To call
Bookman a sleepy town would be generous.
The place is nearly comatose.
I can't
tell if I'm having a hot flash or if his close proximity is making me extremely
hot.
My stomach
knots at the idea of being replaced by a newer model. Nicky's never been shy about taking joy rides, but he always came
back to his reliable old car. Maybe
he's ready to trade me in. He just
hasn't told me yet.
My Review:
As a, hmm, mature woman -
cough - it is refreshing to find a series written about mature women, smart,
strong, and appealing women who are awakening and finding their joy. The story was short, relevant, entertaining,
and easy to follow. I have very little
in common with any of the characters, yet enjoyed them and their tale from
start to finish. More, please!
Empress DJ
USA TODAY Bestselling author Dakota Madison is known for writing romance with a little spice and lots of heart. She likes to explore current social issues in her work. Dakota is a winner of the prestigious RONE Award for Excellence in the Indie and Small Publishing Industry. When she's not at her computer creating spicy stories Dakota likes to spend time with her husband and their bloodhounds at their home outside Phoenix, Arizona.
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