Page 569 of Sinfully Savage Mafia

“Go,” the person shouts. “You’re gonna get?—”

“Ahh!” I yell when the edge of the chair slams me in the ass, shoving me to a certain snowy death if I can’t get my skis to cooperate with my body. I careen down the hill, unable to get my balance before jerking to the right and crashing into the retainer fence. Thank God the snow is soft because my ass takes the full brunt of my fall.

Tears spring to my eyes. This is ridiculous. I am never skiing again, no matter how much Lily begs. I struggle to my feet, wobbling on my skis. Others fly past me, laughing and smiling like this is the most fun sport in the world.

“I can do this,” I mutter. “I can keep my balance. I in-line skate dammit. This should be easy.”

I tentatively slide one ski out in front of me and someone whizzes past, shoving his arm into my shoulder as bits of snow fly into my face. I sputter ice crystals as my skis take on a life of their own. I take off like a shot down the hill, dodging people and screaming for them to get the hell out of my way.

“Chloe, swing your feet to one side to stop,” Lily yells from the bottom of the hill which is fast approaching.

“What?” I scream.

“Bend your knees and turn your feet,” she shouts.

“Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God,” I cry out, turning my feet.

Except I really should have looked before turning.

I plow into a fellow skier then spin out, tripping over the sign for the intermediate hill before face-planting in the snow.

After a few seconds, I manage to flip myself onto my side. I wiggle my toes in my ski boots and my fingers in my gloves then let out a relieved sigh. I’m not paralyzed.

Hell, I’m not in pain at all. I should have a broken back, ass, or neck right now, but I feel great.

Shoot. What if I’m dead? What if this is Heaven?

“Chloe!” Lily drops down next to me and pushes back my snow-crusted hair. “Didn’t you hear me when I said to jump?”

“I didn’t know the chair wouldn’t stop.” I struggle to lean up on my elbows. “Damn, if I have nine lives I think I might have just used them all up.”

Lily turns her back to me. “Guys, a little help?”

A choked gasp lodges in my throat and I fall backward into the snow. Bruno leans down and holds out his hand to pull me up. “Hey, Chloe.”

His deep voice jolts me like a shot of adrenaline to my heart, the spark of electricity shooting through my wool glove when he grasps my hand, bringing back all of the memories I’ve tried to bury.

Did I really think I was in Heaven?

Because as of this second, it is absolutely and undeniably Hell.

CHAPTER2

BRUNO

Sharp tingles shoot up my arm when our gloves touch. Even the thickest wool can’t rival the heat that floods my body every time Chloe flies into my airspace.

She stares up at me through her snow goggles. Even the glare of the sun reflecting off the clear plastic can’t hide the anger in her gaze.

I’ve missed staring into those clear green eyes. I know I’m the reason why they’re overflowing with rage right now. What happened was all my fault. I played with fire that night, and choices I made turned everything good in my life to ash.

Chloe wanted a guy who wasn’t a mafia thug with a perpetual target on his back.

I told her I’d change.

I couldn’t.

I mean, how the hell could I? This life is all I’ve ever known. My father, brothers, and cousins all expect me to do my job and protect the family businesses. How the fuck could I tell them I’m out because I met a girl who won’t date me unless I go legit?

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