Page 12 of Desperate Decisions

Elio shrugged. “Tough, because you’re bonded to a Gallo underboss.”

“Bianca Gallo?”

“Yes,” he said calmly.

“You’re on crack if you think I’m going anywhere near that crazy bitch. I’ve heard stories and I like all of my fingers on my hands, thanks.”

“She won’t do that to you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“Right now it doesn’t matter if you believe me or not. We’re bonded, it’s permanent, and I’m not letting it get out that my mate lives in Rossi territory. I can’t protect you over here.”

I shoved my hands into my hair, already exasperated, but my body just wanted me to climb back in there with him. “I’m not moving. I don’t even know you.”

“You are moving, and you’ll get to know me. Now get back in the nest.”

“Fuck you.”

Elio sighed and hopped off the bed, moving too quickly for me to dodge him. He scooped me up and threw me back into the blankets before climbing in after me.

Bone-deep satisfaction settled within me and flowed through the bond.

“Don’t be such a smug bastard. I can feel that.”

“You’re gonna have to get used to feeling that. It’s basically my natural state of being.”

I rolled my eyes, crossing my arms over my chest in a show of petulance. “Can’t believe I got out of involvement with the drug trade just to fall in with the mafia. This is so unfair.”

“It’s not ideal,” he agreed.

“You can’t be happy about this, can you?”

“I never said I was. In all likelihood it’s going to get me into a lot of shit.”

“Why?”

“Bianca’s only very recently allowed any of her inner circle to have a partner. That was barely a month ago, and I’m not sure how pissed she’ll get over the fact that you’re not bringing an alliance with you. Not to mention the fact that we bonded without her permission while I was on a trip to deal with my grandmother’s estate.”

Well, that cut off my petulant mood pretty fucking fast. “Oh my god, I’m so sorry. I had no idea you were going through all of that in Italy.”

He shrugged. “You didn’t ask and I didn’t offer. Besides, fleeing from the Neapolitan mob takes precedence at any given moment.”

“So what happens if Bianca is pissed?”

Elio shrugged again. “At worst, I’ll be dead at her feet when I tell her. At best, you’ll be moving into the compound and she’ll be negotiating with your drug-running father to make inroads into Rossi territory.”

“I don’t even talk to my dad.”

“Doesn’t matter. Blood is blood and Bianca will always use that to her advantage.”

“She sounds fucked up.”

“She is.” He smiled. “She’s in good company, though.”

“How long until we have to tell her?”

“A few days at most. In the meantime, I think my generosity for saving you in Italy needs a little bit more of a reward.”

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