Page 35 of Single Mom’s Mafia Daddies (The Forbidden Reverse Harem Collection #22)

ALESSIO

I tried to shove down the jealousy. I’d spent most of yesterday evening with Leo, and by the time we caught up with Lila, Renzo, and Matteo, it was obvious they’d had their own fun without me.

I had no reason to be jealous. I’d enjoyed my time alone with Lila. We’d all agreed that this was how things would work. But damn it all if I didn’t come face to face with a surge of jealous rage every time I looked at them and thought about them being with her.

Matteo reclined in one of the leather couches, his feet propped up on the arm and his head on the other end. He tapped his feet together and whistled under his breath. “I’m still not sold on this plan.”

We’d spent the whole morning and well into the afternoon going over my idea to blow up the Verducci syndicate from within their own circle. Matteo and Renzo continued to find holes in my plan, and I was beginning to grow tired of their pessimism.

“What don’t you like?” It took far more control than it should to keep my expression calm.

“Oh, I don’t know.” He buffed his nails on his shirt and turned his head to stare at me where I stood next to the balcony doors. “Could be the part where you die. That might be a little bit unforgivable for this glorious plan of yours.”

“It will work.” I resisted the urge to pace. Giving into the anxious need to move would only fuel Matteo’s attitude.

Leo and Lila played in the yard below me, Leo’s laughter and the soft cadence of Lila’s voice holding me still and giving me the strength to pursue this line of assault.

“If you care for her as much as we do, you’ll come up with a better plan.” Matteo remained relaxed on the couch, but his tone turned vicious. “Getting yourself killed isn’t going to prove anything to her.”

“That’s enough.” I slashed my hands through the air. “This is the plan. It’s up to you two to figure out how to make it work.” I pointed from Matteo to Renzo.

“Oh, that’s rich. So if you die, it’s our fault and not because you’ve come up with the most hairbrained, ridiculous idea on the planet.” Matteo surged to his feet.

I met him step for step. “You dare to question me.”

“I definitely fucking dare.” He pushed me backward with both hands and followed it up with another shove.

“I’m trying to eliminate the threat once and for all,” I reminded him.

Renzo stepped between us. “A good general leads his men to battle with the intention of seeing them all afterward. I understand the idea of sacrificing yourself for the good of your people, but there’s a better way.”

“What would that be?” I flung my arms out wide. “I’m all ears.”

Renzo’s brows knotted together. “Give me a chance to think it over.”

“We don’t have time. They’ll come for us again, and this time it’ll be for the kill. We have to strike first.” I knew that truth so deep in my bones I thought of little else. “All I ask is that if something happens to me, you take care of them.” I pointed toward the balcony.

“You’re still on this?” Lila stormed into the room.

I halfway expected thunder and lightning to strike me down in her wake. When had she come inside? “Where’s Leo?”

“He’s waiting for Matteo and Renzo downstairs.” She locked her stance. “I left him with Bruce so he wouldn’t be alone.” The way she answered my unspoken concern eased some of the guilt but couldn’t remedy the situation.

“I’m not going to let them continue to hound us.” The need to make her understand drove me forward.

Matteo and Renzo slipped from the room, closing the door behind them.

“That’s fine. I want them taken care of.” Her voice shook but she lifted her chin as though making a decision. “They deserve to die for what they’ve done. You don’t.”

“What if this is the only way?” I asked.

She shook her head. “It isn’t. There’s always another way.” Her fingers slid into my jacket lapels, and she pulled me toward her. “Why are you pulling away?”

“I’m right here.” I touched her face, my thumbs making slow circles on her cheeks.

“Physically, yes. But emotionally you’re running away faster than a cheetah on the hunt. You’re risking your life for me and Leo. I never asked for that. I never wanted that.” Her grip tightened. “Why are you trying to leave me?”

“It’s the only thing I know to do to make up for leaving you before.

” I placed my palms on either side of her neck.

Her pulse rampaged beneath my palms, and she sucked in a choked breath.

“I left to keep you safe. That’s what I told myself.

Seven years, Lila. Seven years I told myself you were safe because I left you behind.

Now I find out they knew about you all along and were biding their time, waiting for me before they made their move. It’s maddening.”

“Leaving me again, permanently, is not the answer. Don’t run headlong into death because it makes you feel better.

I need you to think bigger than that. For me and for your son.

” Her cheek pressed into my wrist. “Please, Alessio. Please don’t do this to me.

I lost you once, and it was the most painful thing I’d ever experienced.

Don’t put me through that again. My heart can’t handle being broken a second time. ”

I loved this woman so much that dying for her would be a privilege. “I’m not trying to break your heart. I’m trying to save us all.”

“And you’re trying to do it all alone. You’re not alone anymore.” She nudged me back toward the desk.

“Lila.” I whispered her name and tried to shake loose from the desire swimming between us. “I would spend the rest of my life loving you.”

“No better time to start than right now.” She untied the cord on the front of her shirt.

The white lace fell open to reveal her breasts and stomach.

A white skirt wrapped around her waist and trailed to her ankles.

“Sit down.” She ran a hand up my chest, then down again, unbuckling my belt and lowering my zipper.

I did as she ordered, shoving my way free of my clothes on my way to the couch. It was cold as I settled in with my back deep in the cushions, and I welcomed the sensation.

Lila climbed onto my lap with the skirt bunched up around her waist. She gripped my cock with one hand and positioned me at her entrance.

My fingers ached to grip her waist her thrust her onto my cock, but I stilled, basking in her sweet torture.

She lingered, poised on her knees with our bodies so close I smelled her arousal in the thick air.

“I’m claiming you as mine, Alessio, the way you once claimed me. You belong with me.”

I ran my hands along the outline of her body, remembering the night I gave her those words.

“This is mine.” She lowered herself onto me.

Her pussy’s tight embrace excited me, but nothing meant more than her words, her promise. “I’ve always been yours, Lila.”

Always. Every part of me belonged to her, but especially my heart.

I’d given it to her years ago. What did a mafia lord know about love?

That was the question that kept me from finding her when months turned into years and I still wanted her.

I’d claimed her, commanded her, fucked her, and loved her.

It had never felt like enough. I had never felt good enough to be with a woman like her.

Her body lifted and lowered in a slow caress. My stomach tightened, my toes curling in the carpet as we made love slowly, with the kind of quiet power that healed decades of hurt. I worked my fingers through her hair and drew her down for a kiss.

Our bodies moved to the rhythm she set. I had no desire to turn this into a power struggle or a dominating game.

I let her love me, and I loved her back to the best of my ability.

Our lips met in a searing kiss. She opened herself to me and gave me everything from the moment we met.

I’d paid her back with heartbreak and danger.

She deserved better, but I’d be damned if I let her go again. I was already damned. My list of dark deeds stretched far too long for forgiveness. Lila brought light and laughter back to my life. She gave me a son, returning the legacy to the Cavallo name.

I cared less about that than I did their safety.

Lila stroked my shoulders and worked her hands around to grasp the back of the couch. She shifted forward slightly, changing the angle and depth of her movements, and increased her speed.

Palming her ass, I lifted her, drawing out a whimper of need that I met with a thrust of my hips.

Our bodies slammed together, and she shattered, crying out into my mouth and riding my cock until I forgot everything but the feel of her love.

I had no choice but to follow her example and come so hard the edges of my vision blacked out.

I held her close, the echoes of our pleasure sending tiny tremors through both our bodies.

Breathing heavily, I broke off the kiss. The passion ebbed into a comfortable acceptance. “After this is over, I’m never leaving you again.” It was the best I had to offer. No promises that I wouldn’t enact my plan, only a promise that if I came back, I was hers forever.