Page 80 of Born into Mayhem

“I couldn’t disagree with you more,streghetta mia. Everything is covered for tonight, and you not knowing a few details beforehand doesn’t matter. I don’t regret a second of last night.”

“Me neither,” I admit. I look out at the sea, watching the waves as we turn another corner and the scenery changes to an olive grove.

“The party’s being held at a diplomat’s villa. His name is Claudio Bellantoni. He’s a pompous little fucker who likes to get his hands dirty every now and then so he can pretend he’s dangerous. We tolerate him, because he has connections that he’s willing to use when the authorities start getting a little too curious. One day his usefulness will wear off, though, and I’m guessing he’ll be the only one who’s surprised when the time comes to take him out.”

“Who is his wife? Will she be taken out too?” I can’t help but ask. My family has always been adamantly against killing family members. They’re way too devoted and protective of their own families to ever think about targeting innocent wives and kids.

“He’s not married. I’m not sure who will be hosting the party with him tonight. Whatever women he currently has on the payroll is my guess.”

“How fun,” I mutter.

“I’ve heard he pays a small fortune to the women who frequent his villa.”

“Who else will be there?” I ask.

“The heads of the other three families. Leonardo Fontana, you already know about, but Giuseppe Santoro, and Carlo Esposito will also be there. Don Santoro is the closest thing to an ally we have. He’s a good man.”

He then spends the next several minutes telling me about their families while I stare at the setting sun, all the names going in one ear and out the other.

“I’m never going to remember all that,” I tell him when he’s finally done.

He laughs and squeezes my thigh. “You don’t have to. That’s why you have me.”

“Wow, you make me espressos and you remember important details. I should’ve gotten myself a man a long time ago,” I tease.

“Don’t forget I also love to make you come.”

“That’s the most important one,” I say, making him laugh.

The laughter dies when he runs his thumb along my thigh while he says, “I’m glad you didn’t get yourself a man a long time ago.”

Bringing my hand to his face, he kisses the back of it while keeping a close eye on the twisting road ahead of us. Unable to resist, I run my fingers along his cheek. The dark stubble is rough against my skin, and he looks so devastatingly handsome that I have to remind myself that this is real and he’s finally mine.

“Ti amo,Mia,” he whispers against my skin.

“Ti amo, Dario.”

He gives me a big smile when I say the words in Italian.

“I had no idea you were such a big softie,” I tell him. “You were such a hard-ass when you were training me, but really you’re just a big softie who likes to cuddle and whisper romantic things in my ear.”

The bite to my wrist is fast and hard.

“Fuck!” I yelp, but when I try to tug my hand free, he tightens hisgrip, holding me in place while he drags his tongue along my stinging skin.

“Careful,piccolina.It sounds like I might need to remind you just how dangerous I can be.”

“You’re not dangerous to me,” I say.

He kisses my wrist again. “I wonder if you’ll still think that when I’m fucking your ass.”

I laugh and shake my head. “That’s never going to happen.”

Letting my hand go, he gives me a very confident grin and says, “We’ll see. And,amore mio, I’m only soft with you.”

“So you weren’t a big cuddler before you got me in bed?” I ask while trying and failing to hide the big smile on my face.

“God, no,” he says with a laugh. “I didn’t do any of this before you.” He gives my thigh another squeeze. “Please remember that.”