Page 36 of The Prices We Pay

Now, I’m the one who moans into her. Unable to help myself, I pull her bottom lip between my teeth. Biting down, I tug at it gently, curious to see if she likes a bit of pain with her pleasure. And I swear on all that is holy, I almost blow my fucking load as I watch her eyes roll back into her with pleasure.

If I didn’t think I was in love with her before, I fucking know I am now.

I also know that if I don’t stop in the next five seconds, I’m going to fuck her in the same coffee shop hallway where I almost just murdered someone.

Reluctantly, I push her back, internally kicking myself in my own dick as I watch her gasp for breath. Regardless of everything that justhappened, the corners of her lips turn up into a slight smile, as if she knows what she just did to me.

“Don’t keep looking at me like that. We have to go.”

She tilts her head like the little minx she is. “Looking at you like what?”

“You’re going to be the death of me, aren’t you?”

“Possibly,” she answers point-blank.

“Come on.” I laugh as I grab her hand. “We’ll call Sebastian on our way.”

16

Josephine

Well, fuck.

17

Sebastian

“Hey, Enz. What’s up?”

“Damien Popov just cornered Joe at Jean & Joan’s,” he blurts out on the other end of the phone.

I sit up straight on the sectional, my body instantly coiling with panic. “What? Is she okay?” Luca and Dante mirror my posture the moment the words are out of my mouth.

“She’s okay.” I quickly switch the phone to speaker so the guys can hear the rest of the conversation. “We’re on our way back to her apartment. But Damien knew exactly who she was. Who her brother was. That she worked for us.”

“He knows where she lives,” Dante adds point-blank.

“So Lorenzo says,” Josephine’s voice sounds, instantly calming me. If only slightly.

“Amore Mia,” Dante sighs. “Are you okay?”

“I’m okay,” she answers delicately.

“Bring her here,” Luca commands.

“I tried that already. She said no. She wants to go to her apartment.”

“She can’t go there. It’s not safe.” Luca’s voice rises, as does his panic.

“Sheis right here,” Joe says. “Andshecan make her own decisions. I’m not hiding from something I know nothing about. If the four of you want to explain it to me, you can come to my home.”

“Josephine.” Luca sighs in exasperation.

“Don’t Josephine me.”

“See, told you. Tried it already. I told her I would take her to her apartment. Seb?”

“I’m on my way.” I know what he needs without him even asking for it.