Page 21 of Claimed By the Enforcer

“We can’t do this.”

“Oh, I assure you that I can.”

“No, I mean...I can’t do this. I’m with Stefano.”

“Fuck,” I roared, and she climbed off of me as I moved to get out of bed. I was angry—not at her but at the situation and at myself. I grabbed a pillow off the bed along with one of the blankets.

“What are you doing?” Mira sat on her heels, the white button-down shirt falling off of one shoulder, her eyes eagerly searching mine for some explanation.

“Sleeping on the floor,” I grumbled as I attempted to adjust my pillow.

“Luca, you can’t do that. It’s hard and uncomfortable.”

“So?”

“So? We are both adults and there is plenty of room. There’s no reason you can’t sleep up here.”

“Oh, trust me. There is.”

“Luca...”

“Go to sleep, Mira.” My voice sounded angrier than I meant for it to.

My chest ached as she silently curled up on her side, facing away from me.

I waited for her to say or do something, but she didn't move again. Her breathing eventually deepened as she finally drifted off to sleep, but it didn't come as easily for me.

Chapter 8

Mira

I woke up to the morning sun streaming through the curtains of the agriturismo’s large picture window. Luca wasn’t in bed, so I called for him and checked the bathroom, but he was nowhere to be found. It wasn’t like there were many places for him to hide in the small room. I was just coming out of the bathroom when the room door opened, and Luca walked in carrying a tray.

“There you are. Where’d you go?”

“I thought you’d rather have breakfast up here than suffer through idle chit chat with the other guests. So, I went downstairs and got each of us a plate.”

“Thank you.”

“Eat up. Then we need to head back to the car. I asked around and there’s a small, local mechanic’s shop not far. I figured I could walk there, see if they have the part to fix my SUV. I can do the work myself if their prices are too steep.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Get what?” I sat the food down in front of Mira on the bed and sat on the edge to eat from my own plate.

“You're the head enforcer for my family.”

“Yes,” I said slowly, wondering what point she was getting to.

“You make good money with the family, don’t you?” Mira’s brow furrowed but she took a bite of her breakfast while awaiting my response.

I nodded. “I do.”

“And I’ve seen your house. It can’t be that expensive.”

I let out a single chuckle. “Gee, thanks.”

“You know what I mean. It’s nice, but it’s on the smaller side. It’s affordable.”

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