The Mafia Boss's Good Girl

"Case closed" meant all legal proceedings had been completed or that the investigation had been solved.

Done. Final. Resolved.

But do you know how much it costs to close a case?

A million? Maybe.

A life? Probably.

I'm Holly, and I just had an accident. Our bus fell off a cliff, and it was damn tragic!

If I were a normal person, I would have just cursed the heavens for making me unlucky yet thankful for being lucky enough to make it out alive.

But I'm no regular person.

I'm an investigator, and I was just dead-pissed. I was so close to finding out the truth—so close to closing a case.

But damn that bus. Such bad timing!

"You went to that mountain again, didn't you?"

Save me from the scolding, please. I've had enough bad luck for today.

"You know I had to do it, Xander. This is my work," I replied as soon as I came home, my clothes a mess.

"Why do you look like that?" he asked, approaching.

"Our bus fell off the cliff."

"That's what happens when you don't listen to me. How many times do I have to remind you to quit those dangerous missions, Holly?"

Xander is my boyfriend. He might sound concerned, but I'm not sure if he really is.

"Oh yeah? Didn't you stop reminding me when Quinn came?"

"Oh, come on! Quinn again?"

Yes, Quinn again.

Quinn is Xander's colleague—or maybe another girlfriend.

Honestly, I don't know anymore because in our house...

Every morning, Quinn is there.

Every lunch, Quinn is there.

Right before sleeping, Quinn is still there.

They're always together that sometimes, they look more like a couple than us.

"Quinn and I are just colleagues, Holly. Stop overthinking," he explained, and I nodded.

Same old, same old.

"Make her your girlfriend if you want, Xander. I don't really care."

I shrugged. It already seemed like that anyway.

"Do you think I'll stay with you if there's something going on with us? That's plain common sense, Holly."

"Whatever. If you say so..."

Xander and I are not the sweetest couple. We don't go on dates, don't celebrate anniversaries, don't exchange 'I love yous', don't... make love.

But I couldn't leave him, and I have my reasons.

That night, I fell asleep on our sofa. I was half-awake when I felt a damp towel on my skin.

And there was Xander... cleaning my wounds and scratches.

Xander's always like this. Cold on the outside, warm inside.

Or so I thought?

"Look at you taking care of that girl! How sw—"

"Lower your voice. She's asleep."

I know that voice. Quinn's.

She's here again, but what's new?

"I don't really get why you have to do this, Xander."

"We already talked about this," Xander replied, still cleaning me.

"Yes, but don't you think it's unnecessary?"

"She's good, and I need her."

He needs me?

But he already has me, doesn't he?

"I know, but you are Xander Russo, for God's sake! Say a word, and everybody will follow your order."

"It's not that simple, Quinn."

"It is! You're just dragging things around. Why? Do you like her for real now?"

Wait. What does she mean 'for real'?

I know Xander and I aren't as sweet as other couples, but we are a couple! And couples like each other.

"When I say it's not simple, it's not simple. When did you become so nosy?"

Xander's voice seemed irritated, and I'm kinda lost.

What are they talking about?

"What's not so simple about getting her to follow you then? You're rich and influential. Can't you make a simple girl obey?"

"It's not simple because she's good. Literally and figuratively. She fights well and does her job very well, but her heart is also just as good. I need time."

"Time for what?"

"Time to win her heart."

"Why?"

"Because you can't just make a good girl bad overnight."