Page 188 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

I let out a deep sigh. Of all the things I saw for my future, leading this pussy parade was definitely not one of them. I had plans. I had dreams. I had Eli.

Although, if I’m being honest, there wasn’t a single second I spent with Eli where he made my stomach knot like a pretzel or make my heart slam against my chest like a jackhammer or made me drip with desire in places that have never been properly plundered.

Like, and I really hate to admit this, Sergio Villani does.

I loved Eli but he never made me hot to the point of sweltering. He was sweet, respectful, and gentle, so different from the typical guys in the club who were only out for rough, dirty, and meaningless sex. I loved that he was my friend first and that he made me feel beautiful and wanted. That he made me feel ooey gooey on the inside anytime he’d flash those big brown eyes at me.

Maybe I just liked the way we complemented each other. He grounded me. Since I already had enough of my own fire, I guess I liked that he could bring me into the calm. It was different from the turbulence that was my life.

That turbulence was nothing compared to what I’ve experienced over the past three years.

And a nagging feeling deep in my gut tells me it’s about to bubble up again.

Because you just can’t run forever.

But drive? In my beloved car?

I relax my shoulders, a smile plastered on my face as I feel the engine purr when I accelerate.

I could do this for a lifetime.

I could follow this road and never stop.

I could keep going, and going, and?—

My cell phone pings, and I press the button on the dashboard to answer.

“Hey!” I say to my brother.

“How was breakfast?” he asks.

“Eventful, as always,” I say with a chuckle. “But Ash has a really cool idea I want to run past you later.”

“Okay,” he says. I bite down on my lower lip because I can totally tell he has a thing for Ashleigh. He thinks he hides it well, but I can see it clear as day. And I love to hassle him about it any chance I get. Sometimes I need to rattle him with something fun to think about since his days and nights are overshadowed by his fears of impending doom and gloom.

He needs to smile more.

Hell, so do I.

“I’m on my way to the club. What time will you be there?” I ask.

“Probably in a couple of hours,” he says. “But, Jae, be careful, okay? Get inside, set the alarm, and call me immediately. I’ll be watching on the cameras, too.”

“When does the electrified fence activate?” I say with a snicker.

“Smartass,” he grunts. “I’m trying to keep you?—”

“I know, alive,” I finish his statement. “But don’t worry. I’ve got eyes everywhere, too. I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“Okay, later.”

I click to end the call and sing along to the song on the radio at the top of my lungs when a loud crack explodes into the still air around me.

And just as suddenly, my car jerks far right, skidding into the dirt on the side of the road.

“What the hell?” I screech, trying with every ounce of strength I have to steer the car the opposite way to straighten it out before I crash head-on into one of the nearby palm trees lining the side of the road.

Another pop follows, and now the back of the car is fishtailing out of control, spinning out before it finally comes to a screeching stop. I’m jolted and jerked around in my seat, panic snaking through me. Pants mixed with expletives spew from my mouth, my shoulders quaking as I clutch the leather steering wheel. “Oh my God! What the fuck is happening?” I cry out.

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