Page 31 of Mafia Christmas Vows

And given the emotional turmoil of the night, I’m not really sure what to do with that.

So when I found Alexei sitting in the kitchen, a coffee made for me in hand, I approached the situation like I’d approach a wild bear.

Cautiously.

Knowing that I probably shouldn’t, but that I was going to anyway.

The coffee was good, though. And then Elena suggested that Alexei show me the ornaments on the tree. And then I said no because I wanted him to have an easy out that didn’t involve making Elena sad.

And then he invited me to do it anyway.

I’m not sure that I can hang in here with all of these emotional ups and downs.

I’m not really used to things being this chaotic. For the most part, my childhood has been steady and calm. Until the house fire, the scariest thing that ever happened to me was being picked on by Heather Mastronardi for having purple hair when I was in seventh grade.

Well. And some teasing about my weight, but I’m pretty sure every teenage girl has been through that.

I’m just not really equipped for this roller coaster.

At least, that’s what I tell myself as I follow Alexei into the large room with the Christmas tree.

There’s a roaring fire, which infuses the room with warmth that feels so good, I want to flop onto the comfortable furniture and curl up with a good book. Between that and the snow swirling against the windows, the room is unbearably cozy, and I can’t believe how nice it is in here.

Alexei must notice my reaction. He turns to me. “You did a good job with the decorations.”

I stiffen up. “Yes. Sorry. I know that it’s hard because of your mom?—”

“Which you couldn’t have known about unless Elena or I told you. She didn’t, and I should have,” he says.

Huh.

Alexei takes another step toward me. He’s wearing what I assume is the Alexei version of casual clothes; dress pants and a black button-down shirt. The fabric is kind of silky, and seems to slip over his hard body, caressing his muscles in a way that’s downright indecent.

I gulp at the memory of exactly how much strength is contained there.

Because now that I know?

I can never forget.

“Magdalena?”

“Maggie,” I say automatically.

Then, realizing that he was trying to snap me out of my zone out, I freeze.

I’m definitely staring at him.

Alexei’s lips tilt up in a smile. “What were you thinking about, just now?”

“Nothing,” I say quickly.

Maybe a little too quickly.

“Nothing at all?”

“No,” I gulp.

He steps closer.

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