Page 74 of Heartless Mafia Prince 2: Rocco & Ryah

“Is everything ok?” Lila asked, craning her neck to see what I was looking at.

Ryah and Faith shielded their faces, pretending to study.

Unbelievable.

“It’s nothing. Let’s discuss the data we’ve gathered and figure out what we can use for the project.”

Lila’s pear-shaped face was beet red. Ryah was right, again. It was freezing cold and Lila wore a short black dress with tall black boots. She was probably fantasizing about me every night. Shit, was I wrong to partner with her on the project?

One thing was for sure; my girlfriend was ready to pounce. It was clear Lila hadn’t heard about what happened to the last girls, who thought they could get a quick fuck. Agosto informed me they withdrew from class. I couldn’t wait to see the excitement on Ryah’s face when we entered class Wednesday.

Later that evening, I entered my dorm room and found my girlfriend fast asleep. I probably wore her out over the weekend and last night. In my defense, last night was her idea. Instead of waking her, I sat across the room, studying. Every now and then I’d watch her sleep.

Genn said Levi’s past was clean. Too clean. I planned to keep an eye on that fucker. Maybe he wasn’t interested in Ryah. After all, she approached him. I’d still ask him a few questions Friday night.

“Rocco,” Ryah mumbled. Her green eyes fluttered open.

“What time is it?”

“Princess, go back to sleep.”

She stretched her arms, yawning. “I should study.”

“You can catch up tomorrow. It will make me feel better if you rest.”

Ryah nodded. “You’re right. Will you bring your homework to bed? I want you next to me?”

“Yeah, after a quick shower. Would you like a snack?”

“No, just you.” She flipped over, facing the wall.

I smiled. Her words made my heart swell. I had no problem studying beside her. Sometimes, Ryah clung to me at night. I knew it was the after effects of the crash. Not sure if that sense of falling would ever go away for either of us.

Ryah woke up once during the night to go to the bathroom. She returned to bed and swayed her hand over my bare chest. I moved to my side and pulled her into me. Ryah released a breath. My fucking heart hurt. This was my doing. She probably had anxiety due to our flight next week.

Fuck.

“I’m here, baby,” I whispered into her hair.

Caressing her back, I kissed her head several times until she drifted off into a deep slumber.

***P***

“Alejandro,” I yelled over the blaring music as I stood, giving him a bro hug.

I was six-three. He was maybe an inch shorter than me. I bet most of his work outs were dedicated to chest exercises. His arms came in a close second.

At first, I tried focusing on a total body workout. During the past summer, my workout regime changed. My upper body strength became more aggressive since my position was a tight end on our football team.

“Good to see you, Rocco.” He grinned.

Alejandro stepped back and peeked at Ryah and Faith. “You have your hands full with these two.”

“I sure do.”

“Is this your squad?” Alejandro pointed between us, laughing.

I chuckled. “Yes. I hang out with my teammates from time to time, too. They’re around here. But this is my circle of trust.”

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