Page 49 of Mafia Mistress

Chapter Twelve

Francesca

Giulioand I watched the sun set as the yacht cruised back toward Siderno. We were both quiet, lost in our thoughts.

And one thing you should know, Francesca, is that I always get what I want.

Was Fausto telling me he wanted me? That had certainly been implied as he cornered me against the wall and caged me in with his body. I hadn’t felt fear in that moment. Well, perhaps a little, but not because I thought he’d hurt me. I was afraid of my reaction to him, of how excitement pulsed between my legs with just one look from him. My nipples beaded every time he was within fifty feet, like they were issuing some kind of a warning.

Except I didn’t want to run away from him. Far from it.

I thought of his hand on my throat, the warmth and strength of his body as he surrounded me, and I wanted more. I wanted to drown in his darkness...and that terrified me.

I was a strong woman. Independent. I had plans for my future, like going to college and finding a normal, safe man to marry. One who didn’t run drugs and extort money from others. One who wouldn’t get gunned down in the street by his enemies. For God’s sake, Fausto’s first wife—Giulio’s mother—had been shot dead on a beach.

I didn’t want that life.

I didn’t want to be associated with these people. I was a good person, someone who believed in right and wrong. My father was a criminal, yes, but my sisters and I weren’t. We deserved better.

I’m not entirely good, though, am I?

True. By day, I had taken on a more parental role with my twin sisters, watching over them. At night, though, I snuck out of the house to find fun. To find a boyfriend and lose my virginity.

Apparently I was a rebel at heart—which was why I could not be caged here in Italy, like a meek and docile prisoner. I had to find a way out.

“He’s going to try to seduce you.”

Giulio’s words startled me. “What?”

“My father. He is going to try to seduce you.”

Tingles raced up the backs of my thighs. “How do you know that? Did he say something?”

Giulio lifted a shoulder. “No, but I can tell.”

“That’s crazy. I’m supposed to marry you.”

“Not anymore. That's why he wants to talk to me as soon as we return.”

Oh, God. I was having a hard enough time resisting Fausto as an engaged woman. What happened when the engagement was off? “You have to tell him no.”

Giulio grunted and folded his hands behind his head, closing his eyes. “No one tells my father no.”

“I do—and you need to stand up to him. Tell him you want to marry me.”

He cracked a lid at me. “Why would I do that? I don’t want to marry you.”

“Giulio, please. You have to help me. I cannot get involved with your father. That would be worse than marrying you—no offense.”

“None taken, but you are crazy if you think I can stop him.”

“Can’t you convince him we are madly in love?”

“He’d never believe it—and I don’t like lying to my father.” I pulled my sunglasses down and gave him a pointed look, to which he nodded. “Exactly. One lie is enough, believe me.”

“Then help me escape.”

Giulio sat up and turned to face me, his expression curious. “Why? You could do a lot worse than my father. You like the estate and the castello...and he would treat you with respect.”

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