Page 544 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“I’m really sorry for dragging you out. I just…this is something I have to do.” She sighs, leaning back against the seat. “Do you know why I chose this profession?”

“Because people suck?” I quip, disappointed that she doesn’t even crack a smile.

“Because for my whole life I’ve never been in control of anything. I’ve never been the one in the driver’s seat. I’ve always been the passenger. God, I’ve hated it so much.” She sighs. “I just wanted to be in control of something and do as much good as possible. That was supposed to be my new chapter. And now look at me. I’m rushing to the shelter, risking that something bad will happen on the way because the control I was so desperate to grab onto doesn’t really exist.”

I lace my fingers with hers as I speed through a yellow light. “You may have been a passenger in the past, but you’re no bystander. I think that’s what I love most about you.”

Her head whips toward me and I swallow a groan.

Shit. Did I really say love?

“You know,” I say. “Like, really admire.” I roll my eyes as I stare out the window.

Real smooth, Zeno.

Lily smiles. “Thanks,” she says in a soft voice.

“I just meant you don’t stand down. You get right in the face of danger.” I pause for a second. “Okay, maybe that’s the part I don’t really admire so much, but that inner strength you have? You’re fierce, Lil. And it’s sexy as hell.” I squeeze her fingers. “We’re gonna fix this thing with Messina. We’re gonna win and I believe part of the reason is because we have you. That Salesi blood? You might not love that it runs through your veins, but it’s our advantage over those assholes.”

A little giggle slips through her lips. “Not the only one, I hope. It’s a lot of pressure.” She bites down on her lower lip. “Dammit, I still haven’t called Kat. She needs to know what’s going on right now.”

“Seems like Messina is focused on us, and I definitely don’t need any of the Severinovs nosing into my fight,” I grumble. “I say you call her when we get back to the hotel.Maybe.”

She snickers. “Okay.”

I swing the car around a corner and pull into the driveway behind the shelter. The parking lot is empty and shielded by a tall fence lined with tall evergreen trees. I pull up close to the back door and park the car out of sight. A few seconds later, she unlocks the door and we’re entering the back door of the shelter.

“Come with me,” she says, leading me down a hallway.

And in that moment, you can be sure I’d follow her just about anywhere.

We come to a room where a row of cages sit. She busies herself with filling bowls of food and water and slides them into the cages. Lily cleans out a few of the litter trays for the cats and goes to work on the dog cages. She disappears with a few on leashes and is back a few minutes later as I lug another bag of food across the room. I look up when she returns with the animals, a smile playing at her lips. “Almost finished.” Then she walks to the cage at the far end of the room and I recognize the pit bull from the other night.

She bends down and fiddles with the cage lock until it’s open. “Good morning, Vito,” she murmurs, rubbing the area under his chin. I’ve never been close to a pit bull before last night, but I’d always thought they were dangerous, predatory dogs.

Which I guess would be me in canine form.

“How’s he doing?” I ask, feeling a sudden urge to wrap my arms around them both. Just watching her cradle him does something weird to my heart. Something unfamiliar, something I’ve never felt before.

“He’s good,” she coos, rubbing the area under his chin. In the distance, I hear a door bell chime and she jumps up. “Oh, someone’s here! I need to get up front.” She looks up at me. “Would you mind taking him outside so I can go up front?”

My mouth drops open. “Really?I’m, uh, not exactly an expert when it comes to dogs.” I look at Vito and he barks as if on cue.

“You’ll be great,” she says, grabbing a plastic bag and handing it to me. “Just stick your hand inside of the bag, grab the poop, pull it out, and tie it up! Easy-peasy.”

“I’m going to pick up dog shit.”

“Yes.” She flashes a bright smile at me. “It’s a day for new experiences.” Lily hooks Vito’s collar up to a leash and gives me a little push toward the back door. “You’ll be great. He may want to sniff around for a little while first, so just be patient if it doesn’t happen right away.”

I nod. I must really have it bad for this girl if I’m allowing myself to turn into a human pooper-scooper.

She gives my ass a squeeze as I head toward the door and my cock twitches. I grab her wrist and pull her close, whispering against her ear. “I’m gonna have to punish you for this later.”

“I’m looking forward to it,” she replies in a sultry tone. “Now go, before Vito’s dinner ends up all over the floor.”

I chuckle to myself as I push open the door and let Vito charge through it. He clearly understands the urgency of getting outside, which is a very good thing.

As soon as his paws hit the concrete, he takes off and my body lurches forward, a yelp slipping through my lips. He zigzags back and forth as if he doesn’t know where to go with his newfound freedom.

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