Page 123 of Dirty Mafia Sinner

“We need to speak.”

“Not tonight, you don’t.”

I bite my lip. “Ask him.”

“His orders are not to be interrupted.”

My stomach drops. “Who’s in there with him?” On instinct, I act, feigning to the left, surprising his man by brushing by him on the right. Halfway inside, he snatches my elbow.

The office is dark, but I spy Alessandro immediately.

Behind his desk.

His head in his hands.

Alone.

“Alessandro.”

The guard’s grip is firm, and I struggle to free myself. “What’s wrong?”

I’m pulled backward, out into the hallway.

There’s no way he didn’t hear me.

Yet he never looked up.

CHAPTER 26

RILEY

The next morning,I discover Alessandro’s big body slumped in the hallway in front of the prisoner’s room. Head bowed, like the weight on his shoulders has become unbearable.

I fall onto my knees beside him, then place the back of my hand on his forehead, worried he’s ill.

In a blink, I’m pitched sideways and pinned to the floor.

“What the fuck, Riley?” He glares down at me for a few heartbeats, and then rolls off and tugs me up to a seated position. “Go back to your room.”

I flinch but hold my ground. “What’s happening?”

“Fucking time, that’s what’s happening.”

“Who’s in there?”

“Not your business.”

“You’re wrong,” I murmur. “It’s my business because you’re my business.”

“That why you were hiding like a frightened little bunny in your room?”

“I’m still here, aren’t I?”

His eyes drop to the ankle monitor his man snapped back in place upon my return. Even now, my freedom isn’t a choice.

“Just leave me alone and let me deal with my shit.”

My eyes narrow on the scratch on his neck. “He hurt you.”