Page 66 of Their Princess

“Why?”

“In case it’s not safe.”

Or you want to see what I got, I thought.

I held my hand out, indicating for him to proceed. I figured if he was going to act all nice, I should take advantage of it. A weird feeling settled over me, though, like I was on stage about to perform something I hadn’t rehearsed. I tried to ignore the sensation.

Bou was the worst with her pregnant belly and standing next to the man with a skullcut and rose tattoo. I couldn’t fathom how she could bring a child into this mess. In fact, I vowed to make sure I got a semi-permanent form of birth control ASAP. An implant or IUD would do.

As I followed Sas to the door, I kept thinking about how stupid she was being, but my mother brought me and my sister into the Mafia life. I guess biology trumps danger any day of the week.

Sas grabbed my package from outside the front door, a big box that his arms could barely reach from end to end. He marched toward me, reading the label. If he knew what it was, he didn’t say as he held out the box.

When I reached for it, he lifted it into the air, above his head, and there was no way I could reach. Not even if I jumped. I would have to either grow wings or climb him like a freaking mountain to get my package. I grabbed hold of his cut and tried to pitch myself up, all while Sas laughed at me.

“Give her the damn box,” ordered the president. “We got work.”

Sas immediately dropped it into my hands.

I stumbled and huffed, but I had my package. Unfortunately, there was no way I could carry a box that size back to my bedroom alone.

“Let’s play this game again some time,” I called to Sas, winking when he looked back at me.

Sas pursed his lips, and I waited for a quip. None came, and I leaned over and pushed the box toward the door Rafe guarded.

“What the hell are you playing at, tesoro?” he whispered as he opened the door.

As sweetly as I could muster, I smiled and said, “Just preparing to become one of the crew around here.” I went to bend over and push the box through the door.

But Rafe grabbed one arm and brought his lips close to my ear. “You’re not wearing the shit all the girls were wearing around here last night.”

“Oh?” I looked up at him and stood, crossing my arms over my chest. “Says who?”

He ground his teeth. “If I have to get your father involved?—”

“Simmer down, zio.” I patted him on the rock-hard chest, letting my hand linger. “Besides, how could he expect differently? I mean, this was all his bright idea.”

Rafe bit down, a muscle ticking in his jaw. “He also sent me to make sure you’re safe. Slutty clothes won’t help with that.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically. “It’s nothing like that.”

He could see what I got with everyone else when the time was right.

I pushed the box through the door and toward my bedroom. It wasn’t terribly heavy, just awkward.

Rafe called after me, and I kept my ass in the air and glanced over my shoulder.

“Stay in there this time, would ya?”

With a sigh, I said, “Fine.”

He closed the door, sealing me away from everyone else, or so I thought. When I pushed the box into my bedroom and stood up, I squealed and nearly jumped out of my skin.

The copper-haired woman sitting on my bed slid off. “I’m sorry. Cook thought you might want a friend in the club. Someone to, um, talk to?” She laced and twisted her fingers, and my eyes drifted down her body.

There were scars on her exposed skin, and the leather collar around her neck seemed too goth for this crowd.

“W-who are you?” I asked. In jeans and boots, she had to have arrived with the others.

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