Page 15 of Hot for Her Italian Mafia

“Doing just fine, Oz.” She turns to him with a smile.

“Holler if you need anything,” he says in an offhand way, but his attention never diverts from us.

The entire bar is focused on us now. Watching and waiting for my next move.

“Outside,” I say in a demanding whisper.

Josie raises a brow.

“What do yo?—”

“I said outside.”

Without thinking, I wrap an arm around her wrist and march her toward the Sunken Sailor’s entrance. Her skin feels softer than the most luxurious silks beneath my rough fingertips, and her intoxicating aroma continues to strike my nose even as I drag her behind me.

Drag? What a joke. She’s following behind like a puppy awaiting my next order.

Well played, little lamb. Well played. But your insolence won’t go unpunished. Not tonight.

No one speaks, not with the crazed look dancing in my wild eyes. Then again, Josie is waving folks down and saying it’s alright while we storm through the building.

And in one swift motion through the door, we’re in the empty street. Cold air hits my lungs, but the fire burning in my chest melts away the sting. Josie isn’t as lucky, dressed in the Sunken Sailor’s uniform. Goosebumps form beneath my grip, and if I had the good sense to look at her thighs, I’m sure I’d see the same bumps trickling along her flesh.

“We’re outside, what now?” Josie says, cheek and snark coating her words. Another strike in the book.

“Not here.” I scan the street, seeing drunks waddle from the Sunken Sailor to wherever they’re headed. And then we march, along the building, and farther down the street…

To our promised land.

CHAPTER 10

Josie

“Where are you taking me?” I show no fear while Luca drags me along the street with a tight grasp around my wrist. With him at my side, I have nothing to be afraid of.

There’s no direct response from him, only a long, deep growl rumbling from his enormous chest.

But a quick spin of his heels, tugging my arm with his motion nearly has me toppling over. He catches me with his free hand, resting it on my lower back but urging me on into an alleyway a few buildings over from the Sunken Sailor.

A single light dimly illuminates the concrete below. It flickers, on the verge of going out, and it’s here Luca brings us to a stop. The hand that once cradled my midsection moves to my shoulder and pins me against the graffitied wall. He presses his magnificent form into me, nose hovering above my head as he takes in a long, deep breath of my hair.

It’s happening again, isn’t it? My plan worked perfectly and Luca’s about to throw himself into me. Our lips will lock, our bodies will entangle, and…

And then what? I haven’t thought this through all the way. What if he wants me here? Bend me over the trashcans and take my innocence. I’ve teased and taunted him to the point of an outburst, how could I not expect this outcome?

But the thoughts are stirring up a deep burning in the pit of my belly. A yearning to feel the thick slab of his meat poking my leg go wherever he wants it to.

It doesn’t mean I’m going to crumble. I’ve taken control of this situation, and I’m not about to let my hard work go to waste. He wants the feisty girl who stood up to him in the bar, so that’s what I’ll keep on showing.

“Am I supposed to be scared?” I stare at him through a hooded gaze.

“Why would I want you to be scared of me?” he asks, brow furrowing in confusion. “Never afraid, but wariness will do you well.”

“Wariness?” I scoff.

The same rumbling emits from his chest, catching in the back of his throat.

“You’ve been naughty, Josie. It can’t go without punishment.”

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