Page 46 of Mafia Kingdom

"The less I know, the safer I am," I finish for him, frustration coloring my tone. "But it's over now. The 'conversation' happened. What was this all about?"

He's been quiet for so long; I think he might not answer. Then he sighs, turning to look at me directly.

"Senator O'Neill is pushing legislation that would significantly restrict private gun ownership in Ireland," heexplains, his voice neutral. "Such legislation would directly impact certain aspects of my family's business interests."

"So you threatened him," I say, not a question.

"I persuaded him to reconsider his position," Marco corrects.

I shake my head, both disturbed and oddly relieved. At least no one was hurt. "And that's it? That's all you needed me for? To be your cover while you intimidated a politician?"

Something flickers in his eyes—amusement, maybe, or something darker. "You played your part perfectly."

"Great," I say, unable to keep the sarcasm from my voice. "Glad to be of service."

We fall into silence as the car winds its way back toward Marco's estate. I stare out the window, watching the city lights blur past, feeling both relieved that the night is over and unsettled by how easily Marco moves through this world of power and intimidation.

"You were beautiful tonight," he says suddenly, his voice low in the darkness.

I turn to find him watching me, his expression more open than I've seen it all evening. The compliment catches me off guard, warming my cheeks despite myself.

"Thank you," I say, uncertain how to respond. "For the dress, and…everything."

He nods, and for a moment, I glimpse something almost vulnerable in his eyes. Then it's gone, replaced by his usual guarded expression.

"One day down," he says. "One to go."

One day closer to getting Lily. One day closer to freedom—if Marco keeps his word. But as we drive through the night in companionable silence, I can't ignore the unwelcome thought that maybe, just maybe, a part of me isn't in a hurry to leave after all.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Marco

THE HOUSE IS quiet when we return from the charity event. I dismiss the security team, keeping only the perimeter guards in place. After the tension of the evening, I need space, silence, room to think.

As soon as we enter, Sasha kicks off her heels, sighing with relief. The sight of her—still elegant in that emerald dress, but with her hair starting to come loose and her feet now bare—does something to my chest that I don't care to examine too closely.

"Thank God that's over," she says, stretching her arms above her head.

I watch her movements, mesmerized. For years, I've forced myself to stay away from her. Sasha Gillespie has always been a forbidden temptation—too good, too pure for someone like me. But tonight, seeing her on my arm, feeling her body against mine as we danced, her scent surrounding me—it's broken something loose inside me that I've kept chained for too long.

"You were convincing," I tell her, my voice rougher than intended as I remove my jacket and loosen my tie. "Even the senator's wife commented on how we couldn't take our eyes off each other."

She gives me a wry smile that sends heat crawling up my spine. "You sound surprised."

"I am," I admit, moving to the bar to pour a much-needed whiskey. "I didn't expect you to play the part so…thoroughly."

Her cheeks flush, and I'm captivated by the color spreading across her skin. I remember how she leaned into me throughout the evening, her fingers brushing my arm, her body pressed against mine as we danced. It felt too real, too close to what I've imagined for years.

"You said to make it convincing," she reminds me.

I take a slow sip of my drink, not breaking eye contact. "And you did. Spectacularly."

She turns away, but not before I catch the slight hitch in her breath. "I should change," she says, heading for the stairs. "Get out of this dress."

The image her words conjure is almost my undoing. I've wanted Sasha Gillespie since the first moment I saw her—seventeen years old, too young, too innocent, but with a fire in her that called to something primal in me. I kept my distance then, knowing I would only destroy her. I've kept my distance ever since, watching from afar as she built her life away from Ireland, away from me.

Until now.

---