Page 47 of Roque

“Italy?”

Roque nodded, “Palermo.”

My palms sweat. Zio’s cursing became louder as his sauce bubbled over the top of the saucepan. The pulse at my throat beat faster.Did he know? Has he been toying with me this whole time?

I cleared my throat. “What a coincidence?’ I smiled a little too wide.

“Maybe it’s just fate, Blue.”

I jumped as a pan got thrown into the sink. Zio turned, in his eyes was all the rage he held onto for two decades. His fists balled. He might have walked away from mob life, but vengeance was in our blood. But unlike me, he wasn’t falling for the enemy.

Roque stood, amused by Zio’s antics at his presence. He slipped off his suit jacket. “Smells… delicious. Maybe I should stay for supper?”

“Stop provoking him,” I hissed, grabbing his hand. Sparks shot between us where we touch. Zio’s eyes narrowed to slits as he took in our linked hands. “Traitor,” he mouthed in Italian.

I pulled Roque into the family room, away from the judging gaze of my uncle. In seconds, I was pinned against the wall. His hands were in my hair. Mine tugged his head to mine. Lips parted. Voices sighed in sweet ecstasy as our mouths met and our souls sung at being in each other’s arms.

I felt him. All of him yearning as he strained against me. I’m a stupid fool because I can’t stop wanting him. Me, the stupid girl who this beautiful, fucked-up monster almost killed wants nothing more than to let him destroy me again.,

He reluctantly pulled away. His beautifully sculpted cheekbones were flushed with desire. His eyes glowed with it.

“Fuck, baby blue. I’m trying to be the good guy for once, but I don’t think I can when it comes to you.”

He seemed almost vulnerable as he looked at me with such heat; such raw intensity that his jaw worked. And I wondered if maybe this man would break for me. He’s my first taste of passion and probably my last. I couldn’t ever imagine anyone else making my fire burn as long and as hot as he has.

He finally shook his head, stepping back. “I’m needed in New York. I’ll be gone a few days.”

In the blink of an eye, he changed from my flushed wanna be lover to every inch a young Don, as he smoothed the fabric of his suit and checked his cuff links.

“Business? With Johnny?”

His eyes darkened, he tipped my chin hard, holding my face firmly in his hand. “Don’t ever ask about it. Do you understand?”

“Sure, Ralph.”I dropped his fake name sarcastically.

He laughed, “I’m interviewing for an internship on Wall Street. Rafe hooked me up, Blue. It’s nothing more than that.”

“On a Saturday night?”

“Oh, we’re going clubbing first.”

My fists curled as images filled my head of every hussy imaginable running their hands on him. Of him, flirting and laughing and letting them.

“I’d take you but you’re not even an adult yet.”

“Yet you kiss me like I am.”

“True and pretty soon—I’ll do a lot more than that.”

I said nothing as I sagged against the wall and watched him walk out softly shutting the front door as he exited.

My butt slid down the wall. I sunk to the floor. My finger traced my bee stung lips, still swollen from his kiss.

Where did I go from here? To I come clean and tell him who I am? Do I let myself fall knowing at any second this thing between us could explode?

If he truly has feelings for me will he hate me that the girl, he is falling for is a complete lie?

My head banged against the wall. He’s a drug I can’t quit. I never could. But instead of breaking my addiction all I’ve done is made it worse.

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