Page 26 of Texting My Mafia Savior

“Why don’t we take a walk through the park?” Arria says. “I’ve got my camera.” She pats the strap of her backpack. “You’re free to take as many photos as you want. Then, if you like, I can touch them up and send them to you. Or we can meet, and I can show you a little about the editing process.”

I watch with pride. She’s good at this. There’s a clear, strong, caring instinct in her.

Destiny smiles despite herself. “Uh, sure. That sounds pretty cool.”

“Let’s get to it, then.” Arria looks at me. “Uncle, do you need to come with us?”

She drives me nuts. I just want to grab her and kiss her.Don’t call me uncle again.“No, it’s fine, Arriana. Just stay where I can see you, just for safety. I trust you, obviously?—”

“Obviously,” she cuts in, raising an eyebrow.

“But it’s policy.”

“Sure.”

I sit on the bench, watching them walk around the park together. They go to a tree on the opposite side, Arria taking out her camera and talking animatedly with Destiny. I can’t help but scan the surroundings, looking for any signs of the mob. No one is following me. No one is watching me. After so many years as an enforcer, I’ve developed an awareness of these things.

It's better that things end this way. Last night, I talked to Lucy about what Arria told me. Lucy’s face went pale.“We need to be more careful.”I didn’t bother telling her, ‘I told you so.’ I’ve got no right to rub it in her face after last night.

In bed, I did something bad, something I knew I shouldn’t have before, during, and after I did it. I let my hand stroke down my body, gripped my cock, and rubbed as I remembered the kiss, the feel of her wet haven, the taste of her lips, the sound of my niece’s moans. I almost get lost in the memory, the fantasy. Thankfully, I hear a horn honk that breaks the spell.

I turn to watch Arria as she takes some photos of Destiny next to a tree. Destiny is going for the tough look, fists clenched, staring off into the distance. Then it’s Arria’s turn. I wander over… or maybe that’s a lie. I walk over because I want to see Arria posing. When I invited her here, it might’ve involved canceling another photographer and consciously choosing to spend more time with her instead of taking the safe route and staying away from her as I should.

I’m a deluded idiot.

Arria leans against the tree. Her lips pout, looking past the camera and right at me. My heart thunders in my chest. She changes position, turns around, and looks over her shoulder. She looks devastatingly beautiful. Then she laughs, and her cuteness overwhelms me. “Was that silly?”

“No,” Destiny and I say at the same time. I stop myself from going on. She wasn’t talking to me.

“It felt silly,” Arria replies.

“Nah, that was actually, like, you were a model or something.” Destiny seems far more comfortable with Arria now. “Do you think we can wait until we meet again for the editing and stuff? It’d be sweet to see that.”

Arria looks at me. “That’s up to my uncle.”

“Yes, sure,” I say, almost through gritted teeth. I remind myself to unclench my jaw at the last second. “So what’d you think, Destiny? Did Arriana do a good job?”

“Yeah, it was awesome. All the lighting and stuff. Where to put the subject and stuff. Really cool.”

“Great—now it’s time to get you home. We’re on the clock, remember? Arriana, do you want a ride?”

She flinches like my question has taken her off-guard. The look she gives me might as well scream,Stop playing games with my head.

“Please,” Destiny says. “We can talk about pictures and stuff on the way back.”

Arria nods. “Yeah, okay.”

We walk to the car. I’m constantly scanning my surroundings. Slowly, I’m becoming certain that I may have overreacted by meeting with Arria and telling her about the mob. I could’ve just let her get on with her life. But what if somethinghadhappened? All I need to do is get through this dinner, then I can put this experience behind me. Go on with my life. Go on with my lies. And let her go.

“She was really nice,” Arria says as I drive her home. “Are we okay to be seen together, do you think?”

“Yeah, she is,” I reply. “And honestly, I don’t think anyone’s tailing either you or me. After my dinner with Dominic later, we’ll be free to put this behind us. If anybody saw us now, I’mjust an uncle taking his niece home after she helped with some pro bono work. That’s all.”

“That’s all,” she repeats, hugging her arms around herself as if my words have hurt her.

I want to pry, to comfort, to explore. But they’re all terrible instincts. She looks out the window. “Mom had a weird reaction when I mentioned the mob earlier.”

“You mentioned the mob?” I growl.

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