Page 111 of Dirty Mafia King

Something in his tone, the rough, whiskey-like gravel that sends shivers across my skin, causes my pulse to race.

“When I return, you better fucking be prepared for me to show you what we both need.”

CHAPTER39

ALESSIA

“Renzo better pray Mr. Beneventi doesn’t find him.”

I pause in laying a delicate sponge cake for the tiramisu we’re making into a baking pan and narrow my eyes at Zoey. “Renzo needs help.”

“Not the kind Mr. Beneventi dishes out.”

“He loves his sons.”

Zoey cocks her head and inspects me likeI’mthe woman who dresses up for alien sex. And what she finds upsets her. “Why are you defending him?” Her tone’s ripe with suspicion.

“Why can you only see him as the grim reaper?”

“What is going on between you and Sebastiano Beneventi?”

She delivers her question with such unrestrained loathing that I flinch. The sponge loaf crumbles in my hand. “Nothing…”

“Incredible.” She tosses up her hands, and coffee grinds go flying. “I knew something was up when the casita suddenly had mysterious electrical problems.”

And plumbing—but I don’t correct her.

She tugs my elbow and directs me to the kitchen window. “What do you see?” she demands.

“Guards. Lawn. Pool.”

“Lights. The cleaning people are vacuuming the casita.”

“So?” I say defensively. Like I had a hand in deciding where I live.

“The electricity’s on, Alessia.” She lowers her voice. “And you’re in Mr. Beneventi’s guest room.”

“Then they fixed the electricity.”

Her hands find her hips. “Tell me the truth. You flip the electrical circuit?”

“What?” I laugh, because who would resort to such a thing? “Of course not.”

You didn’t turn off the main water valve, either. Is that back on, as well?

“Don’t fall for him, okay? You’ll be in so far over your head, first you’ll drown, and then he’ll cut you up and use you as fish bait.”

I glare at her. “You make him sound like a monster.”

“Heisa monster.”

Bastian deserves the title with all the despicable things he does. He’s like the whiskey he’s always drinking: smooth, complex, and potent. And, if I’m not careful, my greatest addiction.

“No freakin’ way. Are you in love with Sebastiano Beneventi?”

“It’s not love.”

“What is it, then?”