He was worse than I could have ever imagined.

It was only twenty minutes into our first meeting, and the surprisingly handsome and commanding man had managed to enrage me to extents I had never felt.

I wasn't afraid of him. As long as Mr Capra was alive, no-one dared to do me any harm. Even his son wouldn't dare hurt me, I was sure of that.

"Whatever special treatment my father gave you for sucking his cock all day, you shouldn't expect from me," he had barely finished his insult, but I was past the point of fuming with pure fury.

With my cheeks flaring red and my fists clenched I stormed out of Mr Capra's office, which was now his son's.

I blinked back tears and rushed towards the elevator, ignoring everyone that crossed my path.

"Asshole," I muttered and took out my phone as soon as I was alone on my way downstairs to the lobby.

I dialled Mr Capra's number and brought my phone up to my ear, now letting a tear slide down my cheek.

"Good afternoon, doll," his sweet voice made me want to burst out crying, "to what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"

"You forgot to mention that your son is a self-righteous and–" I began ranting, my voice raised and strained, tone laced with anger and hurt.

"I take it your meeting with him didn't go well..." he cut me off with a sigh, "this is a lot for him too, he has big shoes to fill, remember that."

I sniffled and shook my head to myself, now pacing the elevator and hoping no-one else would get in, "he was so rude to me! He.. he..."

I couldn't bring myself to say all the things Mr Capra's son had said to me, as much as I wanted to.

"He didn't want this job, you know that. Someone had to take over the business, and he's the only blood relative I have in this world, Sofia," Mr Capra reminded me gently, "better him than Big Frank, right? He'll warm up to you, just give him time to settle in."

This was no ordinary business the Capra family had been running for generations, this was an intricate and well-organised crime syndicate - a mafia - spanning over most of the world. Its cover was now a successful technology company.

"It wasn't a matter of him not having yet warmed up to me! The things he said to me, Mr Capra, they were crude and so insensitive!" I groaned in annoyance, hating that Mr Capra had to have suffered a heart attack which had led to him deciding to retire indefinitely as Don, and have his son take his place.

I had tried to stay openminded and hoped he'd be as kind as his father had been to me for the few years I had worked for him, but now I felt like all my hope was lost. I surely wasn't the only one not pleased with this gigantic change.

"Doll, where are you?" he asked me, staying as calm as he always was.

"In the elevator. I'm going home," I let out a deep breath, knowing I needed to calm down even though adrenaline was rushing through my veins with the urge to slap the new Don, "are you still at the hospital? Can I come visit you?"

He laughed gently, "you never give up. What are you doing now? Head back up, I'll call him and tell him to get his act together, you hear me? Nobody messes with my righthand man."

I found myself smiling down at my feet and teasingly replied, "I'm still a woman."

"Ah, well those terms are so loose these days..." I heard the smile in his voice as well, and managed to calm down, "get back into my- his office, and by the time you arrive I'll have talked some sense into him."

"Alright, alright..." I decided, knowing that running away wasn't always the best thing to do, and definitely didn't give such a great first impression.

I should have stood up for myself, or at least remained cold and emotionless, showing him how truly capable I was for the job I had. It hadn't been possible though, since I was emotional after Mr Capra's brush with death and him so suddenly retiring.

We chatted the rest of my elevator journey down to the lobby, and only ended the call as the doors began sliding open. I found myself unable to even press the button to the highest floor where the Don's office was, before Vinny entered.

Without giving me a single glance, he came to stand by me and pressed the button himself.

"Sorry, Sofia, can't let you leave. Don's orders..." he told me, straightening his posture and firmly keeping his eyes on the now closing doors of the elevator.

My brows furrowed, "oh? I was just going back up, but whatever... What did that asshole even say to you?"

Vinny cleared his throat and discreetly nodded up at the security camera in the left corner, reminding me of how our conversation was easily monitored by Mr Capra's son.

I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose, "why doesn't he want me to leave?"

"I'm just following orders," he replied simply.

I leaned against the back of the elevator and cast a glare toward the security camera, knowing he was watching and listening to us.