Page 16 of Mafia Star

I grab my purse and call out a goodbye before I shut the door behind me. I don’t let myself rest back against it like I want. I’m too thrown to wait around. I work from home most days, so I head back to my place in Brooklyn. I get another three hours of distracted work in before I make myself a rather pathetic dinner for one. But I couldn’t care less.

I intend to exorcise Marco from my system tonight. I slide into a sleek black and sapphire teddy that I haven’t worn before. I snip the tags before I step into my heels. I grab the same coat I wore last time, and I’m off. This time, I hail a cab. I don’t need my destination in my Uber or Lyft account.

It only takes me five minutes to drop my coat and purse in my locker. Then I’m double checking my mask’s in place before I head into the main room. Chelle knows I’m a member here, and she’s expressed curiosity about BDSM. If Enzo is anything like his brother, then she’s probably learning all about it on her honeymoon. Good for her.

“You have plans for tonight?”

I recognize Danny’s voice as he steps behind me. His tone is neutral since he doesn’t know what kind of mood I’m in. When I stiffen, he takes the cue.

“Ah, you’re ready to do exactly what I want, aren’t you?”

“Yes, Sir.”

This is not what I thought I wanted. I thought I wanted to be a top tonight. I thought I wanted to have control, so I could push Marco from my brain. Maybe I want to be a bottom and submit to someone else. Let someone else take his place.

“Turn around, whore.”

“Call her that again.”

Oh, fuck.

“Dude, back up.”

“Call her that again.”

Marco’s voice is purely menacing, and Danny gets the message this time. The hand that just clutched my hair releases it. I haven’t turned around. Not because no one’s commanded me to. But because I don’t want to face Marco.

“Amanda didn’t realize I would be here tonight. She has a new arrangement now. Move.”

How the hell does he know that’s the name I go by here?

“Amanda?”

“He’s right.”

How did those words just leave my mouth? I don’t recall thinking them, but that was my voice.

“Why’d you just agree to me?”

“It’s a new arrangement, and I didn’t know he’d be here tonight. But now that he is…”

“But—”

“Move.”

Marco doesn’t sound like he’s going to say it a third time. I spin and reach my hand past Danny. I step around him until Marco can wrap his arm around my waist and pull me against him. I go more willingly than I should considering he just unilaterally decided I’m not pairing with Danny tonight.

“I hope you enjoyed your time with Amanda because she’s not available anymore.”

Danny blinks at me from behind his mask. I know Marco’s declaration stuns him. I’ve always been adamant that I wouldn’t enter into any kind of exclusive relationship. It’s also obvious there won’t be any power switching with Marco, which has always been a requirement for me.

“Danny, thanks for everything. I’ve had fun. But this opportunity came along, and it’s the right fit for me for now.”

Marco’s fingers dig into my waist with my last two words. Danny’s pissed, but he won’t make a scene. At least not an angry one. He stalks away, and I’m ready to lay into Marco. Who the fuck does he think he is?

“Piccolina, you and I are going to talk. And we are having that talk in private. Argue with me or be awkward, and I will take you to that spanking bench and bend you over it for everyone to watch.”

When my only reaction is to look in the piece of furniture’s direction, Marco leans down and nips my earlobe.

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