Page 102 of Dangerous Contract: Part 1

“Really?”

“Yes.”

He wasn’t the only member of the Cattaneo family. The family businesses would run without him. He’d made enough money in his life to take care of himself and Rosa for the rest of their days. Money wasn’t a concern for him.

“If you’re asking me to stop the business dealings that you would consider shady,” he said, choosing his words carefully. “I will.”

“I like how you’re talking around things without explaining anything at all,” she muttered.

That’s exactly what he was doing. And he hated when motherfuckers did that to him. He’d once shot a guy in the knee for not answering his questions directly.

“Okay, Rosa. I’ll be straightforward with you.”

“Please do.”

“My family is from Italy. One thing Italy is known for to some people is...”

“The mafia. I know. I love Italian gangster movies.”

“But you don’t love Italian gangsters. Do you?”

“I’m pretty sure I’m falling for one right now.”

His heart stopped beating. “You’re falling for me?”

“Continue what you were saying.”

“How can I continue after that?”

“I’m getting sleepy, Raz. Whether I’ll stay here tonight or go to Toya’s room depends on this conversation.”

Did she think he was going to let her leave after that confession?

“You’ll be staying here tonight, Rosa.”

“Will I?” Her eyebrow rose as she eyed him.

“You will.”

“Are you going to force me to?”

“I don’t have to force you. The person you love is in this room. Why would you stay anywhere else?”

“I never said I loved you. I said I was falling for you.”

“Same thing in my book.”

“Oh, really?”

“Really,” he countered.

For a moment, she just stared at him. He returned her glare. This was one issue he didn’t have to talk around or search for loopholes on. Monique was staying with him tonight. They’d both had a bad fucking evening. Tonight, they needed each other.

And if she could get over the fact that his family was a crime syndicate, she’d admit that she needed him just as much as he needed her. A few moments passed of them glaring at each other. Then she surprised him by bursting out laughing.

“Cocky ass,” she muttered when her laughter subsided.

“I’m not cocky, love. Well, maybe a little,” he grinned, causing her smile to widen.

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