Page 36 of Married to the Mafia Monster

My heart aches for the boy he once was, forced into a life of violence and solitude. “I’m so sorry you had to go through that,” I whisper, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

He pulls me into a hug, and I hold him tightly, wanting to take away some of his pain. “My mum died when I was little. It was just me and my dad. He tried his best, but things were always tough. Then he lost his job and all this happened.”

Alex’s eyes light up. “Bella, you have a million dollars now. You can use it to become whatever you want. Go anywhere.”

"What about books?" I ask, curious to see if our literary tastes align as well.

"Thriller novels, mostly," Alex replies, his eyes lighting up. "I can't get enough of the suspense and the twists. There's nothing like a good mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat."

I smile, feeling a surge of excitement. "Same here. I love getting lost in a good thriller. Have you read anything by Gillian Flynn?"

"Oh, absolutely," he says, his tone animated. "Gone Girl was a real mind-bender. I couldn't put it down."

"I know, right?" I say, leaning forward. "The way she writes those characters is just incredible. So complex and flawed. It's like you can't trust anyone."

We delve into a discussion about our favorite thriller novels, and I find myself laughing and smiling more than I have in a long time. There's a lightness in the air now, a sense of possibility that feels almost foreign after everything we've been through.

“You know,” Alex says, his eyes twinkling with mischief, “I never thought I’d meet someone who could make me feel this way. You’ve changed everything for me, Bella.”

I reach across the table, taking his hand in mine. “You’ve changed everything for me too, Alex.”

He squeezes my hand, his gaze intense and full of promise. “Me too. We’ll get through this, and we’ll make something beautiful out of this mess.”

TWENTY-ONE

Alex

The hot water cascades over my body, washing away the grime and tension of the past few days. I lean against the cool tiles, closing my eyes and letting the steam envelop me. The shower is a brief respite. But even here, my thoughts are consumed with Bella.

I know I need to tell her the truth. She deserves to know what her father did and why he's on the run.

The letter she received is the key to finding him. I should be focused on the job, on extracting that information from her, finding her father, and getting back to my life.

My life is on the line, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Yet all I’m doing is fucking and watching movies with her like there’s no pressure on either of us.

I’m already too deep. Bella isn’t just a job anymore. I’m committed to her in a way I never thought possible. The idea of leaving her after this is done fills me with a kind of dread I’ve never felt before. I’ve never gotten attached to anyone, ever. So what’s so different about her?

I run my hands through my hair, trying to clear my mind. Marrying her was supposed to be a way to protect her, to keep her safe from Russo and his men. But now, it feels like more than that. I want to make her mine, to keep her with me.

The shrill ring of my phone cuts through the silence, yanking me out of my thoughts. I sigh, turning off the water and grabbing a towel before picking up the call. It’s Ricardo.

“Alex,” he says, his voice as cold and precise as ever. “Give me an update.”

“We’re on the move,” I reply, trying to keep my tone steady. “We’re getting closer to finding it. Having to lie low because Russo’s people keep coming after her.”

Ricardo’s silence is heavy, and I can almost picture his calculating expression. “You need to get this done, Alex. I don’t have time for all these delays.”

“I know,” I say, clenching my jaw. “When have I ever let you down?”

“Be careful,” he warns. “Don’t get attached to her. She knows too much already. She could compromise everything.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I force myself to stay calm. “Understood,” I reply, my voice flat.

The call ends, and I toss the phone onto the counter, my frustration bubbling over. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, water droplets clinging to my skin.

The man looking back at me is torn between duty and desire, between the life he’s known and the life he wants with Bella.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing thoughts. I know what I have to do. I’ll keep Bella safe, I’ll find her father, and I’ll finish the job. But I can’t deny what I feel for her. I’m all in, and there’s no turning back now.

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