Page 68 of Mistletoe in the Mafia

“What?”

“Don’t stop seeing her.”

“What?” I repeat, confused.

“Madelyn, Dom. Don’t stay away from her because you’ve somehow found a way to blame yourself for this whole thing.”

My cousin knows me well. Madelyn texted me three times today, all messages that I couldn’t bring myself to reply.

“I didn’tsomehowfind a way to blame myself. I am to be blamed for bringing a psychopath to her doorstep.”

“You can’t protect her if you’re not right by her side.”

“I can’t protect her if all I can feel is crushing guilt when I’m around her,” I retort. “It was bad before, but now it’s so much worse. I want with everything in me to just tell her everything. But the only thing I’ll achieve from that is losing her forever, and I’m not ready to lose her forever.”

“Why are you so sure you will?”

I scoff. “That’s a joke, right?”

“No. You won’t know until you try. And you’ve finally found happiness with her. Don’t throw it all away because of your guilt.”

I exhale softly but I don’t say anything else.

“Just try, okay? Have faith in the relationship the two of you have built,” she tells me before leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Oh, and are you going to Carly’s Christmas party on Sunday?”

She’s sent me several texts already reminding me that her party is in two days and begging me to come.

“No,” I reply gruffly.

“You should come. And bring Madelyn. I think it’s high time I met her.”

“I’ll think about it.”

After she leaves, I get in my car and drive home. Turns out, Camila doesn’t even need to worry. As soon as I step through the doors of my penthouse, I find familiar green eyes glaring daggers at me.

And with that one look into her eyes, I feel calmer than I have in a day. I exhale a harsh breath.

“Hey, Flowers,” I say softly.

Why fight the inevitable? If I can’t leave, I’ll wait until she cuts my heart out herself and hands it to me.

CHAPTER 18

Madelyn

“Don’t ‘Hey, Flowers’ me,” I snap. “Where have you been all day? I know you said you needed time, but that doesn’t mean you’re allowed not to reply my texts. I was worried. I thought something happened to you.”

He runs a hand through his hair and it’s impossible to ignore how tired he looks. Worry fills me but I push it aside in favor of how angry I’ve been all day.

“I know. I’m sorry, baby,” he says. “I should have replied to your texts. It won’t happen again.”

I watch his movements, a little mollified. He takes off his coat, then the jacket he’s wearing underneath it, and places both on a coat hanger before stepping toward me. Before I can even blink, he’s pulling me into his arms. A soft sigh escapes me, followed by the feeling of warmth that spreads through me. I press my face against his chest, breathing him in.

“I’m sorry I came in here without telling you,” I murmur. I was just so angry after I got off work, having not seen or heard from him all day.

“You can come here whenever you want, Madelyn. It’s why I gave you the passcode.”

“Okay. Why weren’t you at work?”

---