Page 51 of Texting My Mafia Savior

“Soon, this will be over. We’ll beat the Caruso Family. Save Aunt Lucy. Then we can be together.”

“You know what that means, don’t you?” I growl. “It means I’ll be adding two bodies to my list. It means if you still want to be with me, you’ll be with a killer.”

“I don’t care,” she hisses. “You’re a good person even if you’ve done bad things.”

As she leaves the room, we hold hands until the very last moment—until we’re forced to let go. I go to the door, listening as she walks down the hallway, my body still hot, heart pumping, blood boiling, my mind filled with everything that could go wrong. But also, for the first time in my life, with everything that could go right, too.

CHAPTER 21

ARRIANA

Nico:I’m going to be with you every step of the way.

Nico texts me the next day. I’m in the back of a cab, heading to the club where this all started. Earlier, Nico began the rushed divorce proceedings with my aunt. During that meeting, he was able to slip her a message, giving her the location of the apartment.

Nico:Text me every ten minutes to let me know you’re okay. If I don’t get that text, I’m coming in, and nothing and nobody will stop me from finding you, Arria. I’m still not happy about this.

Me:I know.But it’s not like you can lure Enzo anywhere. It will be too obvious. The longer we leave Aunt Lucy with Dominic, the worse it’s going to get for her.

I lay my forehead against the glass, watching the city go by. Nico is following a few cars behind, I know, in the same sedan hepicked me up in when he warned me about the mob. That was so recent. But it also feels like it was a long time ago.

No dates. No sex.Somesteaminess… but texting him has made me feel closer than I ever thought I’d be to any man, let alone my uncle. I guess the pen really is mightier than the sword. Well, the cellphone, anyway.

I pay the cab driver, then stand in line for the club, wrapping my coat around myself. Across the street, Nico’s sedan parks. I can’t see him. I know that. But, honestly, I almost trick myself into believing his forest green eyes are sparkling through the dark tint of his windows.

Nico:You look beautiful.You need to get inside soon. If I see any men hitting on you, I’m going to lose it. Remember, when you leave with him, tell me which entrance. Don’t go to any private rooms with him, either. He wouldn’t dare to hurt you in the main section of the club.

Me:I know.We’ve been over all this.

Nico:You can’t blame me for being careful.

Me:You sacrificed a decade of your life, Nico. I can sacrifice one night.

Soon, I’m in the club. I order a regular Coke because I can pretend to be drinking a mixer. Then, I stand at the most conspicuous spot, which overlooks the main dance floor. At the ten-minute mark, I text Nico.

Me:I’m safe. Nothing yet.

Nico:I’m thirty seconds away if you need me. Don’t forget that.

I sip my Coke, looking around the club. This plan only works if we getbothof them to the apartment. If we make one ‘disappear,’ the other will go into hiding. This is surreal. It started with a casual night out, and it’s ending—hopefully—with me being part of a murder plot. But when discussing the plan, Nico hinted at some things Dominic and Enzo have done.

None of it is good. It’s all evil. I can’t even repeat it in my mind. It’s the ugly, sadistic things men do in the worst crime documentaries.

They are so different from my savior.

“Do my eyes deceive me?” somebody yells in my ear.

I jump and turn to find Enzo grinning at me. His eyes have a hazy, drunk look about them. He leans against the bar as if to show off his gold watch.

“Hi, Enzo,” I yell back.

“You’re a courageous young lady. What, you thought because my dad was all head over heels for your aunt, you had the right to come back?”

“I thought I’d be able to? Have I gotten it wrong?”

“You really are one naïve little girl, aren’t you?” he cackles.

“I just really like this club.” I shrug. “I thought it was all over now. I don’t know much about it, honestly. Except that Aunt Lucy and your dad are getting married. If they’re happy, I’m happy.”

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