Page 115 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

“Hold on.” I turned off the water, then picked up the liquor bottle. I walked over to the counter and read her text messages, then I shot Ameer a text letting him know I found Ryah.

Maybe beating the shit out of her father wasn’t a smart idea. No, fuck that. That motherfucker had it coming. Ryah just needed an outlet.

I wrapped her in a towel and scooped her up. With Jack and her phone in tow, I kicked the door closed.

“Are you hungry?” I asked, as I carried her upstairs.

Her fingers coiled in my hair. “Yes.”

Felt good to be able to take care of her again. “Ok.”

After drying off her body, I placed her under the blanket, naked. My favorite way for her to sleep.

Fifteen minutes later, Ryah was alert and stuffing pasta into her mouth.

“Good shower?” Her brows rose.

“Yeah, I needed that.” Sinking next to her on the bed in only a towel, I rubbed her neck.

“How about we party with our friends Saturday night?”

Her eyes lit up. “I would love that. Oh shoot. I’ll have to find Levi’s number and invite him.”

Shit, minus that so-called friend. Maybe I should’ve specified the circle of trust: Mara, Josh, Gian, Bosco, Faith, and Alejandro. The people from our world.

“All night people will ask about the bruises on your face.”

“I’ll just tell them I got into a fight with some asshole.”

Ryah nodded.

I planted kisses on her cheek. “No more sleeping in the shower. You curl into me and ask me to hold you. Do you understand, Ryah?”

“Rocco, I don’t know. I’m the reason you were kidnapped and beaten. If I didn’t turn and freak out in the middle of the intersection when I saw Art-”

I cut her off. “Fuck that, baby. Don’t you dare blame yourself. Besides, who rescued me?”

The biggest smile brightened her face. There she is.

“I had to find my man.”

“Thanks again, Ryah.”

“There was no way I’d be without you.” She pressed her lips against mine.

“Same here, baby.”

Ryah placed the empty plate on the nightstand. She looped her arms around mine, leaning against the plush headboard.

“I’m serious about the panic room.

“I can’t give you that. Today was really hard. I had to release my pent-up aggression. Screaming at the top of my lungs in the panic room was my outlet tonight. It’s my special place when you aren’t here.”

“I’m happy I added my mom’s hand print to the room in case you go in there again and pass out.”

Her brows lowered. “Fine, if I go in the panic room again, I won’t take Jack.”

“Seriously, Ryah?”

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