Page 310 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“Yes, because I’m a fucking bad guy!”

“You know what I think?” she asks, tracing a finger over my pecs. I have to grit my teeth to not let out a yelp because, you know, the tickle thing.

My jaw tightens and I shift my arm to knock off her hand.

She snickers. “I think you’re more of a softy than you know.”

“Why? Because I’m ticklish?”

She shakes her head. “No, because I think you have inner battles with yourself pretty often, the guy you really are fighting against is the guy you want the world to see. The push and pull. The constant surprises. If you were consistently a fuckhead, I’d say maybe you’re right. Maybe you really are a bad guy. But you give glimpses of other things, deeper layers.” She lifts an eyebrow. “Am I right?”

“Maybe.”

“So why the constant battle?”

“Because people have certain expectations of me,” I grumble. “I have to meet them or exceed them whenever I can.”

“Or else?”

“Are you serious?”

She nods.

“Or else I get knocked down. Kicked away. Disregarded like I’m some punk ass kid who got his role because of his family name, not because he really deserves it. They’d think I was weak. I’d lose all credibility.”

“Is it hard to live every day feeling like you have something to prove?”

“Yeah, but if I don’t, someone will tear the rug out from under me. This is how I create my power.”

She chuckles. “You sounded like some villainous super hero right then.”

“Yeah, well, you’re starting to look more and more like my kryptonite. In more ways than one,” I say, taking her finger into my mouth and giving it a good suck.

“I’m just saying there’s a lot more to you than meets the eye, and if you want people’s respect, they should know everything you have to offer. You’re a dick, yes. I mean, the other day…in the park, in your office,” She shakes her head. “Total asshole. But then you went to find Bella and risked your car and your neck for her, you showed me a different side. And last night, when we were together…” Chella’s voice trails off and her eyes take on a faraway look. “You were a completely different person. A guy I’d have never guessed was buried behind your thuggy façade. Stop warring against yourself. You want to lead? Then show people that your strength doesn’t just come from your fists. You’re more than that.”

I drag my fingertip over the outline of her lips. “You’re pretty perceptive.”

She giggles. “Nah, I was just searching for some justification for me practically jumping you last night.”

Suddenly, a high-pitched bark jolts me, and Bella climbs on top of us and positions herself right in front of Chella, going to town on her face like it’s a lollipop.

Chella holds her, laughing and sputtering until tears spring to her eyes and I can’t help but join in.

The laughing, not the licking.

I mean, I’d lick Chella like that too. She tastes sweeter than anything else I’ve ever had in my mouth.

I get Bella’s obvious obsession with her flavor.

I’m kind of obsessed myself.

Like I need any more reasons for the battle to rage.

When Bella finally takes a breather and cuddles into her, Chella grazes my arm with her hand. But her expression in no way matches her incessant giggles from only seconds ago. That sober look makes my throat tighten and I can tell there’s something she wants to say.

It’s the ‘what’ that gives me pause.

“Roman,” she murmurs, rubbing the top of Bella’s head. “I need to tell you something.”

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