Page 66 of Claimed By the Possessive Mafia Prince
Rocco stops inches from me, looking down. He’s smiling, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “This family is more complicated than you could possibly comprehend, Siena. I am hesitant to make demands of a woman as lovely as yourself, but I really must stress the importance of keeping this relationship secret.”
I swallow. “Sure. It’s not like I’ve got a choice.”
“Excuse me?” he says sharply.
“No, it’s nothing.”
“Yet you said it.” Still smiling.
“I mean, it’s not my business to spread gossip about my boss or our clients. So, your secret’s safe with me.”
“Excellent. Thank you. It means a lot.”
I leave Veronica’s room quickly, with a funny feeling.
It’s not until I’m halfway down the beach that it hits me. Veronica was wearing her PJs, but Rocco was wearing a shirt and khaki pants… with sneakers. If they’d just gotten out of bed, would he be dressed?
I give my head a much-needed shake. He obviously got dressed when he heard me coming.
Walking between the palms, I head for the artificial waterfall, which is on one side of the photoshoot ridge. The Bianchis have dug out a large pool for the crystalline water to flow into.
I stand at the bottom, watching the water splash against the waves, mesmerized by the ripples. It’s a sign I need more sleep.
A moment later, someone sneaks up behind me and grabs my arm.
I spin, letting out a scream.
CHAPTER 24
DARIO
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” I tell her.
She takes a step back, laughing shakily. Her eyes are bloodshot. She looks as though she needs some rest. God knows she deserves it.
“Sorry,” she says, holding a hand to her chest.
“You’ve got nothing to apologize for. I’m the one who should say sorry.”
“Why?”
I take her hands gently. “One–for scaring you. And two… I should’ve come and found you last night.”
“I asked you not to. You did the right thing. I wanted to be alone. This world is just too confusing… and it makes me feel small, honestly. You all do. It’s the little looks. The subtle and sometimes not-so-subtle talking down.”
“I don’t talk down to you, do I?”
“No,” she admits.
I breathe a sigh of relief. “Good.”
When I pull her in for a kiss, she seems reluctant, turning her face like she did in the gym. Instead of kissing her cheek, I whisper into her ear. “You seem extra stressed this morning. Is it the party later?”
“It’s the second most important event of the whole week. I’m thinking of all the things that could go wrong. And…”
“And?”
Although she doesn’t want to kiss me – or she’s trying to fight the urge anyway–she sinks her hand into my side and pulls herself against me. She presses her cheek against my chest.
