Page 45 of An Alpha's Affair
“I know you just tried to distract me with your body. I still want to talk.” Mindy sits up and looks me in the eyes.
I move her hair behind her ear and drink in her dark, serious eyes. I know that I can’t keep the truth from her because she deserves to know who I am. She deserves to know that the man who loves her more than life itself is a killer.
“I wasn’t trying to distract you,Coniglia. I just needed you. This is about the detective.” It’s a statement not a question.
I know Mindy probably better than she knows herself at this point. That’s why no matter what she asks me, I can’t lie to her. I don’t even want to.
“Yes, a detective came here asking me all types of questions about you. And I’m gonna be real with you I doubted you for a second. But I can’t say that I don’t trust you. Because I trust you, Luca, but please don’t lie to me.”
The pleading in Mindy’s voice nearly shatters me. I’ve never felt so many emotions before. This woman turns my cold, dead heart into molten lava. I won’t lie to her, but I won’t let her leave me either.
“I will never lie to you, Mindy. But there are times when I have to keep things from you to keep you safe. But I’ll always protect you and I’ll never leave you in a vulnerable position, I promise on my life.”
“Okay.” She pauses before taking a deep breath. “So, are you a part of the mob, Luca?”
“Yes.”
Mindy nods before looking me in the eyes. When she shrugs, I almost let out a chuckle. This woman is the only person who can surprise me.
I expected her to ask me if I was a murderer. I expected her to be shocked. I expected a lot of things, but I didn’t expect her to be so calm. She’s probably one of the few people that I can read their emotions without trying. And I know that I have greatly underestimated my woman.
“So, Ross was actually telling the truth. You’re a mobster.”
“Look at me.” I place my hand under Mindy’s chin and when our eyes connect I know that she’s locked in. “I am a mobster. I am an extremely dangerous man, but I love you. I would never hurt you,Coniglia.”
“Not on purpose, but what if an enemy of yours…”
“Never,” I growl, cutting her off. “Nobody will ever hurt you again. I promise.”
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
REVELATIONS
MINDY
Luca told me the truth even though it wasn’t what I wanted to hear. The man I’m in love with is a criminal. A high-ranking, rich beyond belief, fine as all get out criminal, but still a criminal.
I’m not on some moral high ground thinking that I’m better than Luca, or he’s worse than anyone else. But now that I know the absolute truth, I know he may be guilty of murder. The thing is, I’m not ashamed to say that I don’t care.
I can handle him being in an organized crime family. He’s probably committed unspeakable acts, and I know it’s wrong that I can excuse his bad behavior while holding Ross accountable for his. However, I’m tired of living by black and white rules when the world is so morally gray.
I love Luca. He’s saved me from unimaginable things without asking me for anything. I want him to be in my life, and I want to be in his. This thing with him is more than a fling or affair, it’s real.
I know he’s reluctant to believe me. It’s not every day that someone tells you life-changing news, but I’ve been through so much that I’ve learned to compartmentalize my feelings. I’vetrusted the wrong man in the past, and some might call me crazy for trusting Luca, but I don’t care.
Ross and Luca are two different people. The darkness in Ross is full of loathing and hatred, he’s evil just because he wants to be. And although I see the darkness in Luca, I still see the protectiveness and love he has.
I’ve spent the last week convincing Luca that I still love him, no matter what. I told him that he didn’t need to tell me the ins and outs of his business as long as he was honest with me. Some people may think I’m crazy for believing him when he said he would never lie to me, but people aren’t in this relationship.
When Luca had to go to a meeting with his attorneys today, I took the time to finally message Talia back. I’m not sure what’s going on with her, but the least I can do is be a good friend. Although she wasn’t aware that Ross was abusing me, she always made sure to text or call me, even though she didn’t know I needed her.
I look down at my watch and see that it’s almost eleven thirty. I agreed to meet up with Talia at a park that’s close to my job. I asked her if she wanted to meet at the brunch café, but she said that she didn’t want anyone overhearing our conversation.
It doesn’t take long before I see her striding toward me with urgency. Talia is normally well put together without a hair out of place, and now is not any different. She’s wearing designer jeans and a fitted t-shirt, with a large designer purse. Her hair is up in a stylish messy bun with tendrils hanging in her light brown face.
Although at first glance she looks like her normal self, I can see the dark circles under her bloodshot eyes. Talia is also fidgeting with her bag while looking nervously around.