Don't Fall for the Mob Boss' Son: A Clean Second Chance Mafia Romance: Take My Advice, #4

By Palmer King

Everybody deserves a second chance... except for him.

 

Gino Ricci is the last person Amelia expects to see when she arrives at the police station ready to defend her newest client, who just so happens to be Gino's father. They haven't seen each other since college and things between them didn't quite end on a good note.

 

When the two realize that they'll have to work together to save his dad from going to prison, neither is very happy. But the one thing these opposites have in common is their sense of loyalty, when duty calls, they answer.

 

This is not going to be easy. Gino and his family have a secret that even Amelia can't know. Will the secret that tore Amelia and Gino apart before keep them from a second chance now? 

 

Don't Fall for the Mob Boss' Son is a second chance, clean and sweet romance. As always, a happy ever after ending is guaranteed. Enjoy!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmer King
• Release date: Jun 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393347743

Book preview

Chapter One

Thank you so much for agreeing to see me, Whitney said, her voice wavering.

Amelia leaned forward in her office chair and folded her hands on the desk in front of her. She smiled kindly at Whitney. The poor girl was only nineteen years old and stuck in a bad situation. She was going to do whatever she could to help her.

Of course, it’s no problem, she said, trying to sound reassuring. Her heart went out to the younger girl.

It’s just that every other lawyer that I contacted wanted to charge so much money just to even talk to me and I don’t know what I’m going to do because I’m so broke I’m about to be kicked out of my apartment and I’ve had such a hard time finding work since I hurt my back… Whitney’s rambling trailed off and tears filled her eyes.

Amelia stood up and made her way around the desk, snagging a box of tissues that she kept on hand for this very reason. She had learned quickly that her pro bono clients could get emotional at the very prospect of her help. It was the result of desperation fueled by so many money-hungry lawyers that refused to even consider taking on their cases. She took a seat in the empty chair beside Whitney and held the box out to her.

It’s okay, Amelia reassured her. Just take a moment, I’m in no hurry.

Whitney nodded and grabbed a couple of tissues, dabbing at her eyes and looking embarrassed despite Amelia’s words.

I’m sorry. It’s just… This has been so hard. I never expected something like this to happen when I got hurt.

Tell me about that. You were working at a factory here in Chicago, right? Amelia prompted. Whitney nodded.

Yeah, at Swan Windows on the west side. I wasn’t there very long, just shy of two months. I tripped over some plastic scrap that was left on the floor in the warehouse and fell backward onto a box. It scraped my leg and hurt my lower back.

I see. Then what happened?

They had me fill out an incident report and sent me home.

Not to the hospital? Amelia asked, her brow furrowed.

No, they had a manager look over my injuries and she said I didn’t need to go. So I went home and they called me later that day to fire me over the phone.

Because you got hurt?

It must be. But when my back didn’t get better after a few days, I went to the doctor and found that I had a herniated disk and needed cortisone shots. They were so expensive, but when I contacted Swan Windows about workman’s comp they said they had no record of me being hurt on the job at all, Whitney’s voice was high-pitched, climbing higher as she told her story, and Amelia placed a hand on her arm for comfort.

"They accused me of trying to commit insurance fraud since I was fired for leaving work early. Now the doctor’s office is suing me for the medical bills and I don’t know what I’m going to do."

Amelia’s heart went out to the young girl as her chin quivered. Whitney seemed so scared and helpless. Clearing her throat, Amelia stood and walked back around her desk, picking up her pen and making a few notes on her legal pad.

Well, first things first, I’m going to file an injunction against the doctor to stop all collection attempts for now.

Really? Whitney asked weakly. So, you’ll take the case?

Absolutely.

But…I don’t have any money.

I know, honey. I’ll be doing this one free of charge.

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Whitney exclaimed, reaching out across the desk and grasping Amelia’s hands firmly as a wide smile broke out across her face. Amelia returned it with a small grin of her own.

You’re welcome. Now, let’s talk about what we need to do from here, Amelia said, leaning back in her chair and clicking her pen over and over as she thought about the case. This was her favorite part of a new case; the strategizing.

We’ll need to get written testimony from as many people as we can, anyone that was there that day and saw what happened, she finally said, after a long moment of thinking. Then, we can move to litigation. I have a feeling that they’ll want to settle out of court.

You think you can get them to cover the medical bills? Whitney asked hopefully.

I think I can get more. This injury has affected your ability to work and you deserve compensation for that.

Whitney seemed shocked, but Amelia just grinned and had her write down the name of everyone she could remember working with that day. Amelia took that time to write down a list of state and local agencies that provided public assistance, as well as a few churches that might help with Whitney’s rent. As they swapped papers, Amelia could see that a weight had lifted off of her new client’s shoulders. She wasn’t surprised when the girl came around her desk and threw her arms around her shoulders in a grateful hug.

Whitney left after that, leaving the door ajar. Less than five minutes later, the door was pushed open again and Amelia looked up from her computer screen to see that her best friend was standing there, her arms crossed as she leaned against the door jamb.

Why is it that so many people leave your office with red, puffy eyes and smiles on their faces? Samantha asked with a smirk and a raised eyebrow.

What can I say? I turn frowns upside down, Amelia quipped, shrugging her shoulders.

Samantha sauntered into the room, sitting in Whitney’s recently-vacated seat and propping her feet up on the edge of Amelia’s desk.

You taking on another pro bono case? Harold won’t be happy, Samantha said with a teasing smile.

He’ll get over it. I make this firm plenty of money. A pro bono case here and there isn’t going to bankrupt us.

That’s true, Samantha agreed. Do you need my help with anything?

Samantha was a paralegal at the firm and it was how the two friends had met. Amelia loved that they got to spend so much time together at work.

Yeah, here, Amelia said, handing over the list of names that Whitney had written out. These people work at Swan Windows and I’ll need written statements from them about the incident that caused my client’s injury.

You want me to contact them?

Just hunt down some addresses and I’ll send out a certified letter later this week.

Consider it done, Samantha said confidently and Amelia smiled. She could always count on her. So, how was your weekend?

Not bad. I finished that romance series I’ve been reading.

That was your whole weekend? Samantha asked incredulously. Girl, you have got to get out of the house more. You’ll never have your own romance story if you don’t start going out more and meeting guys.

I know, Amelia sighed. But I was tired from a hectic work week and just wanted to take it easy at home. What did you do this weekend?

It just so happens that I had a date Saturday night, Samantha said smugly.

Who was he?

Some guy I met at the post office.

You picked up a guy at the post office? Amelia asked, raising her eyebrows. Wow, that’s a first.

What? It’s just as good a place as any. Men are everywhere, my dear, Samantha said knowingly.

You don’t say, Amelia replied with an eye-roll. Well, tell me about this one. Is he Mr. Right?

Eh, probably not. He’s cute and all, but he was rude to the waitress at the restaurant. It was embarrassing, to be honest.

Oh no. That’s a deal breaker.

Yep, Samantha nodded, picking at her nails. I’m not going to waste my time with some jerk that thinks he’s better than a service worker.

That’s the problem with dating, trying to find a good match is tough. I can’t seem to find someone that I click with, Amelia admitted wistfully.

So, you’re giving up?

Not necessarily.

Come on, you haven’t even been on a date in months. You might as well stop by the animal shelter on your way home. You’ll be a crazy cat lady in no time, Samantha giggled.

Amelia burst out laughing. She had to admit that Samantha had a point. Maybe she should put herself out there more.

I’m glad to see the two of you are having such a good time in here, a sour voice cut across their laughter, sobering them up immediately. One of the partners of the firm, Harold Barnes, had entered the office without their noticing and was standing just inside the door with a frown on his face.

Sorry about that, Mr. Barnes, Amelia said as Samantha dropped her feet off the desk and stood from the chair quickly. What can I do for you?

"I hear that you’ve taken on another pro bono case?"

Yes?

It’s your eighth one this year, he informed her, crossing his arms over his chest.

And? Amelia asked, even though she knew exactly what he was getting at.

"And it’s only May. If you keep going at this pace, you’ll have taken on twenty charity cases by the end of the year."

Well, that’s my cue to leave, Samantha said, shooting her a look that clearly said I told you so. Then she added in a very audible stage-whisper, Good luck.

Once she had left, closing the door behind her, Mr. Barnes advanced further into the room, stopping just on the other side of Amelia’s desk, but didn’t take a seat. Amelia felt slightly intimidated by him towering over her like that but tried not to show it.

Listen, he started, placing his palms flat against the surface of her desk and leaning toward her, you’re one of our best lawyers, but you could be bringing in so much more money if you’d stop giving away your services for free.

"I