Page 13 of The One Night Match (Mafia Matchmaker #1)

THIRTEEN

RILEY

H is eyes have been on me since I walked away with his sister, who might actually be the only other Mafia princess I’ve ever met who’s not kind of an asshole.

My sisters included.

Yes, I know I shouldn’t say such things about my family, but it’s not their fault they’re the way they are. It’s how they were raised.

It’s also how I was raised, but I went out of state for college and always had a much stronger sense of self that they couldn’t teach away, no matter how hard they tried.

“His teenage years were disgusting. I thought I was living with a wild animal based on the smell coming from his bedroom,” Lexi tells me, her dark eyes the same as her brother’s, but full of more…

life. I don’t think that’s wrong to say.

He’s had to do things that any civilized person would consider unredeemable, so it stands to reason his soul paid the price.

“I’m sure he’s not so bad now he’s an adult.” I take a long sip of my glass of champagne, enjoying talking to someone who doesn’t seem to expect me to throw a dinner party or pop out as many kids as my body can manage.

“Only because he has a housekeeper. God, I hope he’s planning to keep her. She’s a saint, and she makes the best Oreo cheesecake you’ve ever tasted. Last year, for my birthday, she made me one, and I ate the whole thing in one sitting.”

I wince. “My stomach could never.”

She laughs, her head falling back. “Mine wasn’t happy. But fuck, it was worth it. If you could put in a good word for me this year, you’d be my favorite sister ever.”

“Aren’t I kind of your only sister? And only by marriage.”

Lexi slaps my arm. “Don’t come at me with that kind of logic, Riley. Leave the logic to Cruz. We can bask in chaos.”

I shake my head, but the smile that’s been tugging at my lips since I first met my new family has my chest warming.

You hear a lot of horror stories about in-laws.

Of course, not every mother-in-law feels like their new daughter is trying to steal their baby boy, or every sister-in-law thinks they’re losing their best friend, but still, I was prepared for it.

Now that I’ve met Mary and Lexi, I realize I couldn’t be more off base.

They’re both so warm, and I find myself comfortable with them immediately.

“God, I’m so glad you’re not one of those prissy princesses. I don’t think I could have handled finally having a partner in crime and her being an asshole.”

I snort out a laugh, which has me covering my face in embarrassment, only to see Lexi doubled over as her whole body shakes from laughter.

“Oh my god. You’re the best. I’m obsessed with you. Can we be best friends?”

I drain my glass and wrap my arms around her. “Fuck yeah.”

“Okay, ladies, I’d like my wife back now,” Cruz says, the amusement clear in his tone.

“No, she’s mine now,” Lexi argues, clutching onto me.

“You can see her in a few days once she’s had a chance to settle in. Okay?” he barters.

Lexi sighs heavily, as if the proposition is the most inconvenient thing in the world. I can’t quite tell if she’s usually like this or if it’s the alcohol talking. “Fine. But I want proof of life tomorrow.”

Cruz nods. “I’ll get your number set up in her phone so you two can text whenever.”

“Thanks, big brother,” she beams.

He wraps his arm around my shoulders and presses a kiss to my temple as if he’s done it a million times before.

As much as I hate to admit it, I feel comfortable with Cruz, a rare feat most men have struggled to accomplish.

I’m not sure if it’s because we’ve already slept together under the guise of a one-night stand, taking the awkwardness out of being forced to kiss in front of thousands of people when we’re perfect strangers.

Or perhaps that’s all wishful thinking, and I’m just deluding myself into thinking that when we’re alone for the first time, it won’t be uncomfortable.

“Anyone you want to say goodbye to, Kitten?” he murmurs against the top of my head.

I shake my head. I should probably go say goodbye to my parents and sisters, maybe even the head of the family, but I don’t have it in me to be social anymore, and I don’t think I could deal with their questions about whether I’m ready for tonight.

The consummation of our marriage.

Little do they know, I already know exactly what to expect from what Cruz has packing in his perfectly tailored pants.

He takes a quick look around at our guests, scanning the room to make sure no one is paying attention to us, before he pulls me toward the side door we slipped out of earlier.

Without a word, he guides me through the maze of hallways. I’m tempted to ask if he knows where we’re going, but then we’re stepping into the cool Seattle night, and I feel like I can finally breathe without the weight of everyone else’s expectations.

Without a word, he shrugs out of his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders as he taps out a message on his phone. “Ben’s parked around the corner.”

I nod, tugging his jacket tighter around me and enjoying the combination of his warmth and his cologne a little too much.

This is temporary, I remind myself.

It has to be.

I can’t be what Cruz De Luca needs. I just have to convince him of that.

The limo pulls up in front of us, and he opens the door for me, helping me slip inside before he joins me on the soft leather seats.

And then we’re alone in the dark.

I swallow heavily, my body trembling slightly. This is the part of the arranged marriage I didn’t let myself think too hard about.

Going home with a stranger.

Moving into a house that’s not my own, that has none of my own flair to it.

Being controlled by a man I don’t even know.

Admittedly, it’s probably the part that I should have spent most of my time accepting, but I chose to live in denial for a little longer.

Cruz takes my hand in his and rests them on his thigh. The move is innocent, like he can’t stand not to be touching me, but that can’t be true.

How could it be?

“You’re thinking real loud over there, Kitten.” He tilts his head to face me, a soft smile on his lips.

“It was a long day,” I whisper.

“It was,” he sighs. “But it’s just us now. You can relax.”

If only he knew that’s exactly why I can’t, why I can’t let my guard down.

T he drive through the city is quiet, and I take to watching the world go by outside the tinted windows. True to Seattle’s reputation, it drizzles the whole way, rain droplets streaking the windows as the city lights get further away and the trees grow denser.

I expected he would live in the heart of the city, in a penthouse or something similar, but when we pull up to what can only be described as a wooden mansion, I try to stifle my gasp.

It’s beautiful, and it takes me long seconds to realize Cruz is holding my door open for me.

“Do you like it, Riley?” he asks softly. “If not, we can find another house, something you’d like better.”

My brows furrow at that. He’s just met me, and he’s willing to sell his house and move just because it’s what I want?

What kind of parallel universe did I step into where this big bad Mafia boss is falling over himself to make me happy?

“It’s beautiful.”

A smile stretches across his face, and he tugs me toward the door, only giving me a second to thank Ben for everything today.

We step through the huge wooden door, and warmth surrounds us immediately.

Like the outside, the inside is primarily wooden, with accents of stone throughout. It’s a rustic dream, and I find myself stepping forward without conscious thought.

I notice my boxes piled high near the door, including the suitcase I had with me at the hotel last night, and can’t help but feel hurt that he didn’t even bother moving them from where the delivery driver would have left them.

A loud meow catches my attention, and I drop to my knees immediately, coaxing the ball of orange fluff closer.

“Oh my god, you have a cat?” I ask, never taking my eyes off the feline as it moseys closer. “I’ve always wanted one, but my mom is allergic!”

The orange body in question flops down in front of me, letting out another long meow as it demands pats, which I obviously administer immediately.

It’s rude to keep such a sweet little angel waiting.

“What the fuck?” Cruz mutters behind me. “That little dick has never let me touch his stomach. In fact, he’s usually personally offended whenever I try to touch him at all.”

I glare over my shoulder. “Don’t call him that. He’s a sweet baby. Aren’t you?” I coo. “What’s his name?”

“Asshole.”

My mouth pops open in horror. “You can’t name your cat that! That’s horrible. No wonder he doesn’t want you to touch him!”

I run my fingers through his thick fur, his purr picking up to a loud rumble. God, I love him already, and that’s dangerous because I don’t think Cruz will let me take his pet when I leave, even if he does seem to loathe the creature.

“Why not? He is an asshole. He moved his ass into my house, he scratches me every time I walk past, he pees all over my shit, and he’s just generally a real dick.”

I raise my brows and nod to the pile of goo masquerading as a cat. “You think I’m going to believe that this precious little soul would hate you for no reason?”

Cruz sighs exasperatedly. “You just wait and see.”