Page 83 of Surprise Twins for the Mafia Prince
I feel him jerk inside me as he spills his release, his cock pulsing with every wave. He holds there, pressed against me, breathing hard against the back of my neck.
It’s raw. Consuming. Like he’s trying to brand his soul into mine with nothing but skin and sweat and the sound of my name on his lips.
And I let him. Iwantit.
The next thing I know, Dario has moved us onto the couch. At some point, he removed his shirt too, so we’re both naked as I lean back against him, his arms wrapped around me like he’s afraid I might float away if he lets go.
We bask in the afterglow for a long time, just relaxing and holding each other. There are small intimate touches—his fingers tracing patterns on my skin, my hand resting on his thigh, my head tucked under his chin. I love knowing that this man is mine, that I get to see the side of him that no one else does.
Happiness puts a sleepy smile on my face, and I’m close to dozing off for a late afternoon nap here on the couch—something that I consider my right as a woman growing two babies—but something niggles in the back of my mind. A loose thread I need to pull.
Dario’s hand is running through my hair, but he pauses when I lift my head. He sees that I’m biting my lip nervously and his eyes narrow. “You okay?”
I place my hand on his chest, hoping with everything inside of me that he’ll stay calm. “Yeah, I just...I didn’t mention one thing about what happened today. Agent Boggs, that was his name, he didn’t seek me out for no reason. It was...” I pause, my throat suddenly dry.
I know that what I’m about to say could cause something horrible to happen, but I have to be honest with Dario. If we’rereally going to trust each other, it’s necessary. “My brother, Gabriel. I told you he wasn’t happy about you and I being together. Well, he tried to talk me into going to the FBI, basically doing exactly what you were afraid I’d done. He wanted me to betray you in the name of our father, but I wouldn’t do it. So, I guess he contacted the FBI on his own. I don’t know if he thought I’d just go along with it or what, but I swear, I had nothing to do with it.”
“That son of a bitch,” Dario growls. His fists are clenched, and his breathing turns heavy. There’s a darkness in his eyes, a coldness that reminds me that beneath the passionate lover is a dangerous man—a man who solves problems with bullets and blood. I press my hand more firmly against him, trying to hold him in place, as if my palm could actually restrain someone as powerful as him. “He thinks he can come for me and my family like this? Doesn’t he understand who he’s messing with?”
“He does,” I say, panic starting to take root. I know that I had to tell him this, but I’m afraid of what he’ll do. “He’s held on to the past just as much as me, and it drove him to do something really stupid.”
“Something that could get a man killed.” A muscle ticks in his clenched jaw. My heart drops into my stomach.
“Please don’t,” I suddenly wish that I was wearing clothes because being naked makes me feel way too vulnerable while I’m begging for my brother’s life. “I know what he did was wrong, I know that your family makes examples out of people that wrong you.”
I pause as an old pain lances my heart. My father was one of those examples, and the reminder is still painful. I’m sure it always will be, like an old wound that never quite heals properly.
“Don’t let Gabriel become like my father, Dario. I’m begging you. Please, spare him. I already decided to cut contact with him because he doesn’t approve of my choices. I won’t talk to him again, but I’m not sure if my heart can handle knowing that he’s met the same fate as my dad.”
For a moment, I think he’s going to argue. I brace myself to hear the man I love tell me that he’s going to kill my brother, knowing that I’ll never get over it—that it would turn this beautiful moment toxic, poisoning everything good between us.
But then, Dario sighs through his nose and pulls me closer. He presses a kiss to my temple as I’m crushed to his chest. “Okay,” he says, his voice so soft it’s barely audible. “I’ll spare him this one time. But, Paige, I need you to understand that I can’t let it go a second time. If he tries this again,no onecan save him.”
My blood runs cold at his words, and I silently thank whatever God might be out there that I’m on this man’s good side. But no matter how good Dario is to me, he’ll always be a dangerous man.
32
DARIO
I’ve always beenthe one to travel as needed for the family business. As Don, my father rarely leaves the city without a damn good reason. Not only is he a high-profile target for our enemies, but he’s essential to running our hospitality empire—and his presence keeps our men feeling comfortable. Like children who sleep better knowing Daddy’s home.
Normally, I enjoy getting out of Vegas. I love this glittering desert oasis—it’s my home and always will be—but sometimes it’s nice to see other places, experience new things, breathe air that hasn’t been recycled through a thousand slot machines and filtered through cigarette smoke.
Today, I’m not happy about leaving at all.
I’m supposed to be in Los Angeles tonight for a meeting with the head of the Irish mafia. We’ve had an alliance with them for a while now—ever since the leadership change last year.
The last guy? We helped put him in the ground. He ran the whole operation like a drunk steering a burning car. When thenew guy stepped up, we backed his play and helped him take control.
It’s been smooth since then. Quiet.
But now some street gang’s been making noise—stirring shit up, pushing into their territory.
I’m taking a few men with me. Should only be gone a couple of days. Hopefully.
I don’t like the idea of leaving Paige alone, and it really has nothing to do with any danger the Bratva might pose. I’ve arranged for several people to be available to her if she needs to leave the house, and the security system is top-of-the-line—the kind of setup that makes Fort Knox look like it has a “Please Rob Me” sign hanging out front.
I dread leaving because I have someone to miss for the first time in my life. Before Paige moved in with me, I never felt like there was anything missing in my world. Now, I can’t imagine coming home to an empty house every day, sleeping alone in my bed, or spending quiet evenings with no one but my thoughts for company.
