Angelo

Angelo Russo was not a man to be messed with. Since taking over his empire from a young age of just sixteen he has tripled his businesses both legal and illegal. He ruled over the whole city with an iron fist, people trembled at just hearing his name, yet he found himself with a rat amongst his men.

He was known for being cruel in the mafia and savvy as a businessman. Both had earned him billions. He ruled the city and built his name up as the reaper. Killing off all those who stood in his way.

He clenched his fist at the mere thought of the incident that had happened just a few months ago.

His men where all loyal, but someone had dared to put a bomb in his car. Luckily it was set off prematurely, he escaped injury, but his driver Rafe had lost his life.

As usual Angelo wore an all-black Valentino suit as he stood in his home office looking out into the garden. His large frame cast a wide shadow behind him matching his forlorn mood. His most trusted friend and second in command Luca sat at his desk waiting on his reply.

"It's the best option." Luca advised breaking the tense silence.

Angelo turned with a frown, "My men do not need me to take a wife just to show them I still hold power. I will do that by torturing and gutting the rat when we find out who he is." Angelo seethed.

Luca sighed, "In the meantime it will show...stability and at the moment we need it. A wife means strength and family. And after what happened our men don't want an internal war for power, should anything happen to you."

Angelo pinched his glabella as he turned from the floor to ceiling window and sat behind his desk onto his leather office chair. He didn't want a wife. A wife meant a lifetime with one woman and a woman he didn't know as well. He would prefer to be alone than take anyone as his wife if it wasn't her, but he couldn't have her.

Luca sat forward leaning across Angelo's desk, "Look what about if it's just temporary, say a for only six months and then you can part ways. That would buy us enough time to find the rat that is trying to take over from you. It could make the rat think your busy being all loved up."

Angelo smirked at his friend with a questioning eyebrow.

Luca paused and smirked, "Well with this girl I think you will be more whipped than I am."

Angelo glared at his friend, "Me loved up... whipped?" He sneered; how could he ever be loved up with a woman that wasn't her? Sighing he asked in a bored tone, "So where do you propose I can find this temporary wife?" Angelo gripped his glass and knocked back the dark amber liquid inside. Hating the thought of where this conversation was headed.

Luca sat back and smirked, "I have the perfect woman, just show up here tonight. I cant promise she will agree and the courting is all up to you." Luca slid a flyer across the large mahogany table towards Angelo.

"How would I get her to even agree? She would have to be mad to marry a stranger, temporarily or not." Angelo stated. His looks wouldn't be a problem it was his attitude and infamous name that would strike fear into any girl.

"I have a plan for that, besides are you saying you aren't capable of wooing a girl with your looks." Luca couldn't wait to see how his stoic friend react this evening. "Elena and I will go with you."

Angelo gave a curt nod in agreement.

Luca was delighted that his childhood friend and boss took his advice, he was sure it would be the greatest thing he had ever done as a friend and second in command.

Luca has been happily married for over a year now and his wife Elena had recently found and old friend of both his and Angelo's by chance. Elena had come home one evening and had talked about this girl and her artwork nonstop, so when he finally went to the gallery and spotted the girl, he knew that this was serendipity at work.

He sat back and smiled smugly.

His friend's life was about to take a three hundred and sixty degree turn for the better. His friend needed the love and comfort of a women. He hadn't even realised that he needed it too until he had met his Elena. With a snap of her finger, he was at her mercy, and he wasn't ashamed to admit it either.

Angelo stared at the flyer; he didn't know one thing about art. His life was all business whether it was illegal weapons, real estate or night clubs. He took a deep breath and set down the flyer, seeing his friend's smile he tilted his head and sat forward.

Luca was up to something he was sure of it, "What else aren't you telling me?" He asked, he wasn't one for surprises. Everything in his life was meticulously planned. Yet here he was thinking about taking a wife just so he can stabilise his empire, even if it was only temporary it felt wrong.

Luca was right whoever the rat was would think he was too busy and may slip up eventually. A distraction was needed. He was able to bug most of his men's cars and rooms inside his mansion. Well all but three men, he had to be careful with them not to spook them or he would never find out who it was.

"Can't give away all my secrets." Luca laughed. They were friends first before boss and second. "Now about that rat." Luca changed the subject quickly.

Angelo's face became hard again in an instant. The rat was one of his men, they were all close. Some blood related and some he has known for years. It had to be one of them as no one else would be aware of his schedule.