Page 58 of Sins and Secrets

“Fucking pregnancy hormones,” Jovan says, glancing at Alessio. “The tears come out and I’m the bad guy if I don’t do what she wants.”

“Still doesn’t explain why you put on the dress,” I say, propping one foot up on the bench and wrapping my arms around my shin. “You could have said no.”

“And risk pissing off the pregnant woman?” Jovan shakes his head. “Like fuck that’s going to happen. She’s hell on wheels when she isn’t pregnant.”

Hadley laughs and reaches out to pat her husband on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. You’ll survive. The baby will be here soon.”

“And then I’ll really be outnumbered.” Jovan looks at her like she is the most important person in his world.

Even just in the couple hours that we’ve been with Hadley and Jovan, I’ve seen the love between the two of them. At first glance, they seem like an unlikely pair. The way they look at each other is magic, though. It’s the kind of love I want for myself one day.

The kind of love that would walk to the ends of the world for each other.

“We should get going,” Alessio says, smiling like he’s having the time of his life. He is fully relaxed, though every now and then he does glance around the beach for any sign of danger. “It’s been a good night. Christian landed tonight too. He wants to meet in the morning. Does that work with you?”

Jovan nods. “I’ve cleared my schedule for the week the two of you are here. Whatever you need, just let me know.”

Alessio nods and gets up, holding out his hand to me. It’s a casual gesture, but one Hadley doesn’t miss. Her eyebrows raise as she looks at me, mischief sparkling in her eyes.

‘You know, I was looking at the courtyard attached to that master bedroom. There’s some lights that are strung above it. Turn them on, slip in the pool, and it’s a pretty romantic little spot.”

“Hadley,” Jovan says, his tone a soft warning.

She holds her hands up, her grin stretching from ear to ear. “I didn’t say anything.”

“Yeah, sure.” Jovan shakes his head and gets up, helping put Hadley to her feet.

I put my hand in Alessio’s, allowing him to pull me up. His cheeks are red and he avoids looking at me as he reaches into my pocket to pull out the car keys.

“We’ll see you tomorrow.” Alessio nods before pulling me toward the car.

His calloused palm is rough against mine, sending a shiver down my spine. All I can think about is the way it felt to have his hands on my body. The way he makes me beg for him.

Heat floods to my core. I try to shove the thoughts away as we get back in the car, but I can’t. The way he makes me feel is something entirely new to me. It’s as if my body is on fire and instead of quenching the inferno, all he does is feed the flames.

I want him and he’s offered himself to me. It’s not an ideal situation to be in, but it isn’t the worst either. He is a confident and attractive man.

He is a killer.

I’m a killer too.

I lean back in my seat as he drives down the road to the rental house. Rock music is playing softly in the background, a song I barely recognize from a band I don’t know. It doesn’t seem like the kind of music Alessio would like. I would have expected more of a taste for metal or classical. Something that seems more fitting for a man like him.

“What’s going through your mind right now?” he asks as he drums his fingers on the wheel. The wind whips in the window, tousling his dark hair.

My heart skips a beat as he looks over at me. The look in his eyes tells me that he actually cares. That he wants to know more about me.

That’s dangerous territory. I’ve known him for years, but I’ve done a good job at keeping myself guarded. Papa taught me not to trust others — even the man who ruled the famiglia we were a part of. Although, he had only ever mentioned Alessio’s brother and father.

Maybe I was wrong about not trusting Alessio.

Although, I have a hard time believing that. I think that Alessio can be trusted to a point, but I don’t think that point would ever include my heart.

Not that I would be sticking around long enough for us to get to that point. Casual sex would be the most we could ever have.

Casual, mind-blowing sex that leaves me struggling to remember my own name.

‘Billie, you look like you’re spiraling. What’s wrong?”

---