Page 33 of Mafia Heiress
“It never felt right to me, but I couldn’t pass it up. I’ve…” He clears his throat before continuing on. “I’ve had feelings for you since we were kids.”
Of all the things that could come out of his mouth, I didn’t think it would be that. Feelings for me? I thought we just met.
“How is that possible?”
“I was there when you went to Italy. I’m Marizio.”
“Isn’t this day full of surprises? Apparently, there is a story behind this. Care to share with the class?”
I folded my arms under my chest, pushing up my breasts, which did not go unnoticed but my scowl makes him snap out of it.
“I never could get you out of my head, but I knew your father wouldn’t allow it. So when I showed up at the auction he had a few demands for me. I sold my soul for you.”
“I’m sorry, what? You mean to tell me you were straight before this and the only reason why you're doing this is because of some crush you had a million years ago.”
I sounded like a bitch and my words hurt by the way he flinched, but I was too far gone to care. Every reason I thought they were here for, is a lie. No one wants me, they want the power I represent. The things I could give them if they stand by my side.
If there weren’t a million people here I’d burn this place to the ground. I’m so angry that I can’t even breathe.
“Let go of the knife, Jack.”
Marcello shakes me out of my rage and I notice the butter-knife in my hand for the first time. I’m gripping it so tight I’m surprised it’s not bent in my hand.
“It wasn’t a crush, Jack. I fell in love with you when we were kids. It hasn’t changed.”
Did he just say the L word?
“Marcello. This is a lot. You coming here to tell me this with everything that’s happening. You know I can’t say it back.”
“I’m not expecting you to.” He grabs my hand and puts the knife on the table. He leans in and kisses my palm. The gesture is so simple, but the butterflies in my stomach aren’t. I may have slept with Ciro, but it doesn’t mean he’s my match. There’s something about each of them that brings something to this life.
“There you are,” Ciro says, from behind me. I don’t turn around, but Marcello’s glare says it all. He’s not happy about him being here either.
“What do you want?” I growl, not making eye contact.
“It’s go time, principessa.” He puts his hand on my shoulders from behind, just like he did the other night, but this time I’m not turned on, I’m angry.
“You want another throat punch? Cause I’m running a special today, two for one.”
He lets go of my shoulders and takes the seat next to Marcello, nodding as he folds his body in the chair.
“The boys are here and we’re ready to do this. You coming,fib?” he asks, making fun of Marcello’s FBI status.
“No, I’ll be back up though if something goes wrong. My partner and I will be there to discover the “scene” once you leave. Make sure you’re out of there clean.”
The last was said to Ciro, like this was his first rodeo. “I got it covered.”
I stand from the chair and Marcello wraps me in a hug, whispering to be careful in my ear. His face is stern and for a moment I crumble, wondering what it would be like to be loved by someone like him. Be in a real relationship where things weren’t about business. But that’s not how things work in my world. I’m a mafia heiress, not the girl next door.
Chapter Ten
The warehouse where they’re keeping my father is in a shit hole of a neighborhood. Most of the houses are boarded up and the streets are littered with garbage. Plastic bags fly in the wind, looking like sad balloons.
We make our way from the block around the corner, keeping low in case there’s anyone on the top of the building. No one is expecting them to be that smart, but there’s always a chance they read a bad guy manual or watched Goodfellas one too many times.
“We’re going in through the back. The rest of the guys will go through the front and be the distraction,” Ciro says.
I defer to his instruction for now, because technically this is my first rescue mission. I’ve never participated in anything like this before. There’s a good chance my father is going to be pissed.
