Page 11 of Masked Mafia's Runaway Bride

My heart skipped a beat, but I played it cool, letting a playful grin slip out. “Guess you’d know them. We did grow up together, after all.”

She shook her head. “No, it’s more than that. A few years ago, I… I met someone with your eyes.” Her voice trailed off, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips as if she were holding onto some precious memory.

I chuckled, shrugging. “Trust me, I’d remember if we’d met before tonight.” I leaned in closer, lowering my voice. “Though, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t wish we had.”

Her cheeks flushed deeper, a flicker of nervous laughter escaping. “Then, I must be mistaken. Sorry, I was just… I ... just wish it was him,”

I gave a small laugh, feigning casualness, though every inch of me wanted to pull her close and tell her everything. But instead, I leaned back and caught her gaze. “When it comes to the eyes, there’s no confusion,” I said softly.

Her laugh was soft, embarrassed, but genuine. I found myself clinging to the sound, wanting more of it and savoring every note. She looked out into the night sky, her expression growing distant and thoughtful.

“What about you, Sergio?” Her voice was barely a murmur now, the kind you’d have to lean in close to hear. “What brought you back? It’s been years.”

I shrugged, slipping my hands into my pockets. “The military, actually. I spent close to ten years serving in the army. I came back recently—just in time for my father’s latest ‘engagement.’”

Her expression shifted, a mixture of surprise and relief. “The military? I didn’t know. I mean, I hadn’t heard.”

A bitter smile crept up. “I wasn’t exactly sending postcards.” I caught her gaze and the way her brow softened. It was almost as if she understood the weight I carried. “My father, though… well, he made sure I’d come back, and well, all in good cause. He got engaged today again,”

She didn’t respond right away, but the look in her eyes told me she understood far more than I’d said. I forced a grin, lightening the mood, reaching for something to say, anything to keep the moment from slipping away.

“What about you, Mirella?” I asked, leaning closer. “My father got you under some kind of spell now, or are you now like elite cocktails?”

Her laugh, quick and genuine, filled the air. “More like a duty I can’t seem to shake,” she admitted, glancing away. “It’s complicated.”

“Complicated,” I echoed, nodding. “Seems to be the theme tonight.”

We both fell silent, a tension lingering in the air, something both of us were too proud—or too afraid—to say. I could feel her heartbeat, steady and unyielding, almost as if it was in sync with mine.

Then, I spotted my father out of the corner of my eye, heading toward us, his eyes scanning the room. Before I could say anything, he was beside us, his hand reaching out to take Mirella’s arm.

“Ah, Mirella,” Carlos beamed, his gaze sliding to me, his smile never quite reaching his eyes. “I see you have a lot to catch up with Sergio. Good. But come now, my dear. I have someone I’d like you to meet.”

I stepped back, feeling the pull of reality and the sting of seeing her in his grasp. For a split second, she looked back at me, her expression unreadable.

Before she turned away, I caught her gaze and held it, hoping she understood the promise in my eyes, the one I couldn’t speak aloud. Just wait. Just wait a little longer.

My father led her back into the crowd, his arm possessive around her, oblivious to the storm he was feeding in me.

I wasn’t going to let him have her, not this time. I don’t mind putting another bullet in him, and this time, I would aim higher.

I will protect you, Mirella.

CHAPTER FIVE

SERGIO

I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her. Mirella, back under the thumb of my father, the very man I’d tried to rescue her from once. She was a mystery, wrapped in elegance and strength, standing by his side as if nothing had ever happened. Why did she come back? Why now, and for what? I could feel the anger simmering beneath my calm facade, but the confusion hit just as hard.

It wasn’t long before I heard Ryan’s familiar voice behind me, giving me that exasperated sigh he always had when he thought I was doing something foolish. Ryan had been my battle buddy through two tours and patched me up more times than I’d like to admit. Now, he was right there beside me in this business hell we called “work.” His voice had that casual, knowing tone I’d come to rely on.

“So, is that her?” He raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms, watching me with that same look he gave me when I did something stupid in the field.

I didn’t need to ask what he meant. “Yeah,” I muttered, a dry bitterness lacing my words. “That’s the girl.”

He let out a low whistle. “The one you literally took a bullet for?”

A humorless chuckle escaped me. “The very one.”

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