Page 57 of Maddest Temptation

Even a few steps away from me, I felt like the safest person in the world. It wasn’t only because Cassio was the head of the Outfit, but because he was…Cassio. Tall and proud and powerful. No one would dare approach him. Especially not with the gun I knew he kept hidden on him like all Made Men did.

I looked at him, really looked. It had been two weeks since he barged into my apartment half-dead. For someone who had been bleeding continuously, with a massive wound to his abdomen, Cassio seemed…fine. Not that I didn’t want him to be, but if it were me, I would have been in bed—resting. Licking my wounds.

I would be lying if I didn’t say I had been worried sick. I had almost called Vitelli. Cassio hadn’t showed up again, and while a part of me was grateful, another wanted to see him again. Which was confusing since I was supposed to hate him.

The coffee shop was just around the corner as he had said. Cassio chose a table and told me to sit while he ordered for us. When he came back, he sat opposite of me. Silence lingered in the space between us like sticky tar. Not long after, a waitress came by with our order.

“What’s this?”

“Jasmine tea and a chocolate filled doughnut.” His tone was detached.

He pushed the two toward me and I looked at them not believing what I saw. “I’m pretty sure I got it right,” he said.

Cassio had. His sister and I used to go to the same coffee shop every Wednesday, and Cassio was forced to tag along at first—to keep an eye on us. After, when we began dating in secret, it became a ritual of sorts. He came along for an entirely different reason.

“You did.” My voice sounded defeated.

I watched as he sipped on his espresso. Jasmine filled my nose, and the sight of the doughnut made my stomach rumble. It had been hours since I last ate something. So, I took his offering and relished the taste of both tea and pastry.

Cassio set his cup down. “I’m sorry about your mother.”

The teacup slipped from my hand and burning liquid splashed on my hand. “Shit,” I cursed and wiped it away, rubbing my hand where the burn mark was.

I looked at Cassio who was watching me closely. “How would you know?” I asked, still in pain.

“It’s my business to know everything.”

Then it hit me, fire pumped through my veins. “How did you know I was at the hospital? Did you have me followed?”

Mischief flickered in his eyes. “I won’t apologize for it.”

Stronzzo. “Why, Cassio?”

“This is important.”

“I disagree.” I leaned against the chair. “How long have you been following me? Don’t I at least get to know that?” I asked when he didn’t answer my first question.

“Since that first night.”

Oh.

I wanted to be angry, I really did, but that wave of anger never hit me. The thought of knowing someone had my back and would protect me in case something happened, left me feeling less…afraid.

“How’s your mother?”

I was baffled for a while, of course he knew about her, if he had me followed then he would know everything. As he said, it was his business. Yet there was a sudden relief as a small weight was lifted from my shoulders. Someone else knew about my mother, I wasn’t alone in this anymore.

“The cancer is very aggressive,” I confessed. “Mamma is a difficult patient.”

“I wouldn’t wish that upon anyone,” he said sincerely, and it warmed me up a bit.

“We have matters to discuss,” he said setting his cup on the table, and I laced my hands, just to keep them busy. Our small talk was over then.

The last time Cassio had charged into my apartment to “discuss matters” we ended up kissing, then he proceeded to give me an ultimatum.

“I’m not going back to my father’s.” I made myself clear, fear making me feel bolder.

Cassio watched me for a while and then to my surprise he said. “I don’t expect you to.” I raised one brow. “I shouldn’t have asked that of you.”

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