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This is exactly what my mother warned me about for years. Her fears seem to be coming to life. I moved back to New Orleans, and within a month, found myself living with the head of this city’s mafia family. And now, I'm on lockdown while I wait for him to sort out whatever threat is out there.

"There's no situation," I say.

Madi snorts. "Right. And sleeping with the most dangerous man in New Orleans is just a casual hobby?"

"It's just sex." It's a lie and I know it. But I can't admit that I have feelings for the man who's taken me hostage.

The three exchange knowing glances that make me want to throw something.

"What?" I demand.

"Nothing," Zoe says, pouring drinks. "It's just...we've all been there before."

Lana chuckles. "I swore it was nothing between me and Naz and that we could break it off, but it's not nothing. Never was. He's my soulmate."

"See, a few months ago, I would have gagged at that statement." Madi crunches a cracker between her teeth. "But now…" She shrugs. "I think I kinda get it. Adrian practically forced me down the aisle. But I love him."

Zoe laughs. "Same. I didn’t intend to fall for John. I was just trying to figure out what happened to my friend, but…here we are." She shrugs, reaching forward to grab a bite of cheese.

So they all fell in love in less-than-ideal circumstances?

I shake my head. "That's not the same. I saw… Sam, he…" I can seem to form a sentence.

"You saw Sam do something…bad." Madi tries to finish my thought. "But it was for a good reason. And I could be wrong, but I don't think that's what's bothering you."

She's right. I've moved past the fact that I witnessed Sam commit a murder. It’s weird to think about that being how this all started, when now it seems like it doesn't even matter.

"I don't think he's capable of a relationship, even if I wanted one."

Madi chuckles. "He is. He just doesn't know it yet."

"I can't." I shake my head, grabbing my glass and taking a too big sip of wine. "It's complicated enough with Grandpa's care and the bar..."

"And the fact that you like him," Zoe finishes.

That hits harder than they should. Do I like Sam? Beyond the chemistry and the way he makes my body feel? Beyond how he handled Grandpa with unexpected gentleness? Beyond those rare moments when his guard drops and I glimpse something real?

"It doesn't matter if I do," I say quietly. "This world, his world, it's temporary for me."

But even as I say it, doubt lingers.

Because more than just the sex, I think I like Sam Costello.

FORTY-ONE

Sam

Ipace in my office, the dim light from the desk lamp casting shadows across my furrowed brow. My hands clench and unclench, betraying my anxiety. The polished wooden floor creaks beneath my restless steps.

I spent the day in a discreet car, staking out Gino's and watching as more men with snakes on their leather cuts came in and out of the bar. I need to come up with a plan, something to end this once and for all, but at the moment, I have nothing.

The walls close in around me as thoughts of Olivia mix with concerns about the Serpents. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to matter. A witness, that's all she was meant to be. A problem to solve, not a woman who'd crawl under my skin and make a home there.

"Fuck," I mutter, running my fingers through my hair.

The Serpents are testing me, pushing to see how far I'll go to protect what's mine.

And Olivia ismine.