Page 25 of Married to the Mafia Monster

He glances at me, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and something softer. “I was trying to protect you, Bella. This world I’m involved in, it’s dangerous.”

I huff, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not some fragile flower in your classroom, Alex. I deserve to know what’s going on, especially when it involves my life.”

“It’s better you don’t know.”

“Tell me, dammit.”

His lips twitch into a small, almost reluctant smile. “You’re stubborn, you know that?”

“And you’re controlling,” I retort.

He chuckles, a low, comforting sound. “Maybe. But I’m only trying to keep you safe. The things I can’t tell you, it’s to protect you, trust me.”

I nod, feeling a weird sense of relief wash over me. “Okay. Park that. What happens next?”

“We have to stay under the radar,” he explains, his tone serious. “You mustn’t tell anyone about this, especially the police. The clock is ticking, and we can’t afford any slip-ups.”

I nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Alright. But what about us?” I ask hesitantly, my cheeks flushing slightly. “What does all this mean for us?”

Alex’s gaze softens, and he reaches over to take my hand. “You still want to discuss that?”

We pull into the parking lot of a small, inconspicuous hotel. The neon sign flickers weakly, casting an eerie glow over the lot.

“We’ll stay here for the rest of the night,” Alex says, turning off the engine. “Get some sleep.”

We step out of the car, the hot night air hitting me like a solid wall. Alex leads the way to the hotel’s entrance, his hand firmly on my lower back.

He pays in cash, a quick transaction that leaves no trace. He lies effortlessly, giving the clerk fake names without pausing for breath.

As we walk up to the bedroom, I can’t help but notice the dingy hallways and the faint smell of lavender. When we enter the room, I see there’s only one bed.

My heart skips a beat, and I turn to Alex, feeling a mix of apprehension and something else—something I can’t quite name.

“There’s only one bed,” I say.

Alex shrugs, a hint of a smile on his lips. “So there is.” He turns slightly, catching my eye. “I just realized something,” he adds. “We don’t have any pajamas to change into.”

I blush, suddenly very aware of the fact that I’m still wearing my clothes from earlier. “Oh, right. I guess I didn’t think about that.”

He gives a small, awkward laugh. “Yeah, neither did I.” He stands up, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it onto a nearby chair. “Oh well, au naturel it is.”

“You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not sleeping naked.”

My eyes widen slightly as I take in the sight of his toned chest and abs, the hard lines of his muscles catching the dim light. “I’ll sleep in my boxers,” he says casually. “You can take off whatever you’re comfortable with or sleep in your clothes. I don’t give a shit.”

I nod, feeling a little flustered. “I’ll, um, go to the bathroom to change.”

Gathering my things, I retreat to the bathroom, closing the door behind me. Can I do this?

Before I lose my nerve, I strip down to my underwear, taking a deep breath as I try to calm my racing heart. The reality of the situation is setting in, and I feel a mix of nervousness and excitement.

“Alex, can you turn off the light?” I call out through the door, my voice wavering slightly.

“Sure,” he replies. A moment later, the room goes dark, leaving only the soft glow of the city lights filtering through the curtains.

I open the door and step out, my bare feet padding softly on the carpet. Alex is already under the covers, his silhouette barely visible in the dim light.

As I climb into bed beside him, the warmth of his body radiates towards me, igniting a fire deep within my core.

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