Page 20 of Ruthless Secrets (Alpha Mafia Daddies #6)

Chapter Sixteen

MARCO

Without opening my eyes, I inhale deeply and bite back a moan as I’m hit with the scent of strawberries. My cock twitches as I think about pulling Clara against me and burying myself inside her sweet pussy once more, but as I reach across the bed for her, I find it empty and cold.

“Clara?” My stomach sinks.

How long ago did she leave?

I peel open my eyes and wince at the sunlight streaming in through the window.

It’s rare for me to wake up after the sun has risen, but then it’s been a while since I’ve had a reason to stay in bed. Though it seems Clara doesn’t feel the same.

Maybe she got up to check on Zoe. It’s a plausible explanation, but I can’t help but fear that I may have overstepped, and she didn’t have the heart to leave last night.

Wasn’t she just saying yesterday that she wanted to take things slow?

Going on a date followed by sex is not exactly the definition of taking things slow, even if it was incredible .

I just have to hope that I haven’t fucked things up before we’ve even started.

There’s just something about Clara that has me losing the ability to think clearly.

I had every intention of leaving her be last night, but the moment I saw her feeding Zoe, something in me snapped.

I had to have her. I needed to worship every inch of her incredible body.

I wanted to go to sleep with the taste of her on my tongue.

My cock aches just thinking about how amazing the sex was.

I had thought that once I buried myself inside her, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from fucking her senseless. But instead, there was something about going slow and taking my time that made the pleasure that much more intense.

I don’t think I’ve ever come so hard in my life. But considering the fact that I’m currently rock hard, it seems my body isn’t even remotely satisfied.

“Fuck’s sake.” I roughly tug on my length before throwing back the covers.

I throw on a fresh pair of sweatpants and a black t-shirt before heading downstairs.

As I pass Clara’s room, I notice the door is shut, but I don’t want to knock in case Zoe is sleeping.

By the time I’m crossing the foyer toward the kitchen, my mood is considerably lower.

All I need now is to run into Andre and learn of some other shit that Alfonzo Rossi has done and any trace of happiness that I might have felt yesterday will be completely extinguished.

I’m so lost in my own depressing thoughts that I barely register that Clara is standing in the middle of the kitchen when I walk in.

“Morning,” she greets with a smile. “I made you some coffee. ”

I blink.

There’s no hint of anything in her voice or expression other than genuine happiness to see me.

“Where did you go?” I take a seat at the breakfast table.

“I needed to feed Zoe, and I didn’t want to wake you.” Her cheeks turn a sweet shade of pink as she sets an empty mug down in front of me.

She’s switched her revealing PJs for a pair of leggings and a t-shirt. Her blonde hair is tied back in a ponytail, which shows off her delicate neck that I love to explore with my tongue.

I grab hold of her wrist and gently rub my thumb back and forth over her skin. “I would like nothing more than to be woken up by the two of you.”

Clara chews on her lower lip as she looks down at me with those beautiful green eyes.

She’s acting very differently to how she did last night which amuses me.

On the outside, she comes across as all shy and innocent, but I know underneath, there’s a dirty little girl who likes to play.

It only makes me more intrigued to unravel even more of Clara’s layers.

“You won’t be saying that when it’s four a.m., and Zoe is screaming her head off.”

“You’re welcome to test that theory.” I let go of her wrist.

Clara rolls her eyes before walking away.

I let my eyes roam over her body as she walks across the kitchen to get the pot of coffee.

Yesterday, I would have said that Clara in a sundress was my ultimate fantasy, but it seems the leggings are having an effect on me too.

I subtly reach a hand under the table and squeeze my aching length. Last night did little to satisfy my need for her .

But despite the fact that this girl has got me so worked up, I can’t seem to give in to her completely when the voice in the back of my mind is telling me not to.

The last time I fell for a girl, she ended up being ripped away from me, and I barely survived the pain of losing her. If something were to happen to Clara or Zoe…

“What do you have planned for today?” I have to distract myself from my thoughts.

Clara rolls her eyes. “Oh, well, there are so many options I’m not sure how I could choose. I could watch another movie, or read the same magazine for the tenth time or?—”

I chuckle. “Okay, I get the hint. You’re bored.”

“Not all the time.” Clara’s eyes glisten with mischief.

This time, I make no attempt to hide the fact that I’m palming my length beneath the table.

Clara’s throat bobs, and I smile as her eyes start to glaze.

“I’d be more than willing to help,” I tease but Clara looks away, any hint of arousal instantly vanishing from her face.

She sighs. “Marco… I’m being serious. Zoe and I can’t stay here forever.”

I place both my hands on the table to stop myself from stroking my aching cock. “And you won’t have to. This is just until I can be sure you and Zoe are both safe.”

Clara’s eyebrows pull together in a frown. She laces her fingers around her coffee mug and chews on her lower lip.

Whatever thoughts are currently swarming about in her head, I have a feeling they’re not good.

“Clara, talk to me.”

“Will Zoe and I ever truly be safe? Considering what your family does?”

I lean back in my chair and fold my arms across my chest, trying not to smile. “And what exactly does my family do?”

Clara’s cheeks turn pink as she turns her attention back to her coffee mug. “You know, the whole mafia thing… ”

“I see… Do you think the mafia is all about bad guys killing other bad guys?”

“Is it not?”

“For the most part, my brother and I run well-respected businesses, and that’s where our main focus is. Is it entirely legal? Not always. But our intention is never to hurt or kill anyone without good reason.”

“What classifies as a good reason?” Clara’s voice is barely above a whisper.

“Laying hands on you and Zoe for a start.”

“Why would people want to hurt me or Zoe? I didn’t even know who you were until a week ago.”

This is exactly what I was afraid of.

“Clara, look at me.”

Clara blinks back tears, but she does as I ask, and my chest cracks when I see her beautiful green eyes filled with such sorrow. “Not everyone is as fair or reasonable as my brother and me. People like to hold grudges, even long after the person responsible is dead.”

“So, Zoe was taken because of a grudge?”

I let out a long sigh. “It’s complicated. But it’s being taken care of.”

“Taken care of how?”

As much as I would like to be honest with Clara, there are some things that she’s just better off not knowing.

“Tell me what I can do that will help make your stay here more bearable?” I reach for the coffee pot to refill her cup. “Tell me about your hobbies. How do you normally spend your free time?”

“My hobbies? You do know I have a six-month-old baby, right?”

“How did you use to spend your time before you birthed the spawn of the most handsome man on the planet.”

Clara groans. “Oh, my god. You’re unbelievable. ”

“I’m well aware.” I smirk.

“Going back to your question, before I had Zoe I loved to sew.”

“Sewing, huh?”

Clara shrugs. “I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was little. But then life happened and well… I had to get a proper job.”

“Well, consider me your fairy godmother. I will grant you your wish.”

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. I’m fine, really.”

“Too late.” I flash her a wink. “I have a sewing machine on its way as we speak.”

“You can’t buy me a sewing machine! They’re expensive!”

“In case you haven’t noticed, my family is loaded.”

“Yes, but?—”

I hold up a hand. “No buts. It’s already done.”

Clara does her best to scowl at me, but I only grin back at her.

“So, when will your sister get back, exactly?”

I narrow my eyes at her, but I decide to humor her question.

“Rosa? She should be back in a few days. I think you’ll like her.”

“I’m interested to know what you’re like as a big brother.”

“I’m a better brother than Andre.”

Clara chuckles. “I don’t know Andre that well, but I have a feeling he would disagree.”

I scowl at her, but when I watch the smile break out across her face, I can’t stop myself from mirroring it.

“What’s Rosa like?”

I groan. “Boy crazy. Ever since she turned seventeen, it’s all she seems to care about no matter how much I try to deter her. ”

“You think having a teenage sister is bad, just wait until Zoe is seventeen.”

I shake my head. “No, not happening. She’s going to stay little forever.”

“It won’t be long until she’s dating and?—”

“Not listening!” I stick my fingers in my ears.

Clara throws her head back and laughs, and I watch in silent adoration at how incredibly beautiful she is, especially when she laughs.

It’s like her entire being lights up, and I’ve come to notice that Zoe is exactly the same way.

“Anyway…what about you? I realize I don’t even know if you have siblings. That’s probably something two people who share a child should know about each other.” I laugh.

Clara looks down at the table. “Oh, no… It’s just me.”

Something about the way Clara is refusing to meet my eyes has me wondering if there’s a story there.

I desperately need to catch up on some work, but I’m enjoying hanging out with Clara and Zoe too much. It’s another clear, sunny day, so the three of us have set up a little play area for Zoe on the grass.

I didn’t think I would find watching a baby roll over so entertaining, but it really is.

Hearing my daughter laugh is a joy like no other, and I would happily skip work for the rest of my life if it meant I never got to miss out on hearing that sound.