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“You really think your family could take down mine?” My arms fold across my chest, and I sit my ass on the table. He can keep the gun. He’s not shooting me. “The Valentinos built this city before the O’Malleys even crawled out of whatever whiskey-soaked gutter they came from.”

Connor shakes his head. He narrows his eyes and his brows furrow.Guess he didn’t like the insult. Tough, because there are plenty more where that came from.

“You mean the Valentinos bribed, bled, and backstabbed their way through the cracks in someone else’s empire.” He takes a step towards me, stopping when he’s pressed between my open legs. “The O’Malleys? We earned our territory. We held it. And we didn’t have to hide behind gold fences and Gucci suits to do it.”

I laugh. It’s true. We are flashier. And it’s not because the Irish don’t have the means. His cousin drives a Ferrari. They can be flashy. Most of them choose not to be. Me? I’m not ashamed of liking the finer things in life. “Please. Your grandfather ran protection rackets for the Russians back in Boston, Connor. My grandfather made senators kneel.”

“You think that makes you royalty?” The barrel of the gun presses into the side of my head. “It makes you a target. It always has and it always will.”

“Then pull the trigger already,” I dare him. And judging by the look on his face, he’s either going to kiss me or shoot me right now.

We stare into each other’s eyes, the decision weighing heavy on our shoulders. Then, his free hand wraps around the back ofmy neck, tangling in my hair and pulling my face upwards. His lips descend onto mine and his tongue pushes its way into my mouth.

Connor breaks the kiss, his eyes much softer now as he stares down at me. “We shouldn't be doing this,” he says. “It’s going to end in disaster.”

“Then stop,” I whisper, my fingers reaching into his belt and dragging his body closer to mine.

“I don’t think I can,” he admits.

“Then don’t.” I shrug. “Some disasters are beautiful.”

“Yeah, name one?”

“Romeo and Juliet, greatest love story of all time.” I smile. “Bonnie and Clyde.”

“Joker and Harley would be more fitting,” Connor suggests.

“Doesn’t Harley dump the Joker? She goes on to live a full life of crime, while he falls apart without her?” I ask.

“Sounds about right then,” he says before slamming his lips back down onto mine. The gun lands on the table beside us. My arms wrap around his back, gripping his ass as I pull him even harder against me. I’m starting to think we are in serious trouble if we’re both this turned on after an argument.

He had a gun to my head and all I can think about is how quickly I can get his pants off, how fast I can get that cock of his inside me. I’m sure a shrink would have a field day with our relationship.

“Do you think we’re only doing this because we’re not supposed to?” I ask Connor.

“No, I’m doing this because you’re fucking smoking hot. And I happen to like your crazy ass. Even when you point a gun at me before breakfast.” He smirks. “I’m taking you to Boston by the way. My friend’s throwing a party this weekend.”

“You want me to come to a party with you? In Boston?”

“Mhmm.” Connor’s lips move along my collarbone.

“Okay,” I agree, while trying to silently figure out how I’m going to leave town for a whole weekend without anyone knowing.

Chapter Sixteen

I’ve been pumped all week for this trip. I almost couldn’t believe Aurora actually agreed to come with me. Although I wasn’t expecting her to bring a friend. Or in this case, her cousin, who might just be as insane as she is.

“So, Mabilia, how are you liking New York Prep?” I ask, looking up into the rearview mirror.

Mabilia glares back at me and says something in Russian. I have no idea what, but I’m figuring I probably don’t want to know. Aurora’s sitting next to me. She turns and speaks to her cousin in Italian. Again, no fucking idea what they’re saying.

“Fine. But just so you know… my new favorite meal is Irish stew.” Mabilia huffs before replying to me in a sugary-sweet voice that doesn’t match her expression. “School is great, Connor. How do you like it?”

I smile at Aurora. “It has its perks.”

“Yeah, like the library? I hear it’s epic. Peoplescreamabout how good it is.” Mabilia snorts, trying to cover a laugh.

“Mabilia.” Aurora glares at her cousin over a shoulder.