Page 12 of Mated into the Mob

“What the fuck?”

I pursed my lips, telling the giggle to stay where it was.

The honey in his voice vanished and was replaced with fiery-hot chili peppers.

“Lights on.” Louder than the first time and fused with frustration.

The giggle escaped, and I stuffed the dish towel over my mouth. I was enjoying this, Mr. Oh So Freaking Perfect being thwarted by technology. But as my body shook with laughter, I glanced down. Damn, I was naked. I crouched down low and crawled toward the bathroom and the thick terry cloth robe folded on the vanity.

“Lights on,” he thundered.

I stuck my head out of the bathroom. The main room was still lit up, as I’d left those lights on all night, but the stairs were in darkness. He strode halfway down the stairs, one perfectlysuited leg after another. “Let me see you.” He wasn’t holding that gun he’d been stroking last night like it was his good luck charm.

Putting my hands in the robe pockets, I sauntered out. And damn, his cologne or maybe body wash hit me, reminding of a strong wind. It teased and taunted me, and I tried to ignore it. Didn’t succeed, though.

“I’ll be back late this evening.”

I almost replied, “Yes, dear, and what would you like for dinner?” but didn’t want to push my luck.

I dithered over whether to tell him I was supposed to deliver a presentation this afternoon. My professor would mark me absent, I’d fail the assignment, but no one would send out a search party. I lived in a house with four other guys, but we were never all at home at the same time.

But it might irk him if I mentioned it.

“I’m due in class after lunch. Attendance is mandatory.” He wouldn’t pick up that I was fibbing. Mobsters didn’t go to college, did they? “They’ll call me if I don’t turn up and then contact my folks.”

He twisted his lips as if he’d tasted something sour. “I’ll deal with it.”

“How?” I regretted mentioning my parents and wished I could stuff those words back in my mouth. What if he asked Emilio to silence them? “Don’t hurt my family, please.”

He studied me, those dark eyes that held so many secrets. “I’ll get a doctor’s certificate saying you broke your leg and you’ll attend class remotely.”

I noted his dark hair curling around his collar and pictured me flicking it back. My body betrayed me again, and I overheated. Sweat dribbled down my spine, and my cock engorged.

For a second, I wished I had the power of a mob moss. He wanted something done and it was. Like the emperors and kingsof old. But many of them met a nasty fate. Maybe being head of the mob had its downside.

“But I can’t.” I opened my arms. “No wifi, phone signal, or computer.” I was enjoying his eye twitching every time I tossed a problem at him.

“Fine.” He gritted his teeth. He’d need to see a dentist if he kept doing that. “You’ve been in a car accident and you’ll be in hospital for a couple of weeks.” He added he’d get whatever I needed from my professors and bring me class notes and assignments. Without access to a library, my files, and wifi, I couldn’t do much, but I was done talking.

He planned on keeping me here. But I didn’t come from a wealthy family, nor did I own anything of value. So why was I lingering, not dead and yet not living my life? Stuck in a basement, admittedly better than where I rented.

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“Wasn’t aware you asked one.” His testy tone and the shadows under his eyes suggested he didn’t get much sleep.

“Last night as you were leaving, I asked about my father.”

He snorted. “That wasn’t a question. You said please.” He had been paying attention. “I did some digging last night.”

8

FLINT

“And?” His brow quirked, his eyes alert.

“I have to go. I’ll fill you in tonight.”

What I didn’t say was that the man in the photo Tony showed me was familiar but not the name. I’d spent the night keeping Emilio and pack elders awake with my questions about Antonio, whose real name was Anthony, and I hoped La Luna Noir had nothing to do with his death.

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