Page 58 of Broken Prince

I brushed my hand along the box of the custom-made necklace I had ordered for her. I should have known better but I wanted her to have something special for her birthday, something meaningful that would express what I felt for her without her actually knowing what it truly meant.

I should have taken into account that Matteo was as smart as he was cunning. Now she was on his radar and there wasn’t much I could do.

Give him what he wants against her freedom. He wants you back on top. He’ll give it to you. It’s not like he really cares. She’s just a means to an end, my voice of reason claimed, and there was that stupid little voice coming from my mangled heart.Maybe she doesn't want to be free; maybe she wants to stay here—with you.

I leaned back on my seat, closing my eyes wearily.

How am I going to save you, Cassie West, and more importantly, do you even want to be saved?

Chapter Fifteen

CASSIE

I stabbed the trowel a little bit harder than necessary in the soil. I was still a little annoyed with what had happened yesterday even if I had no real reason to be.

Luca had told me he trusted me, that I was now in his circle of trust, and he sent me to my room like a child as soon as one of his colleagues showed up.

I shook my head, putting the bulb in the ground. I knew I was new to the whole Mafia thing but still.

That man had been lovely. Well, it was true that I almost died of a heart attack when I’d turned around to find him there, standing in the kitchen.

Matteo, he said his name was, and he had been a work of art. I didn’t think I had ever seen a man so beautiful in my life. His face had been perfect, flawless…with a straight nose, well-defined jaws, and lips that would make girls weep, and eyes so light blue that they almost looked unreal against his tanned skin and black hair.

And his accent, sweet Lord, have mercy! How come Mafia guys were even that hot? Weren’t they supposed to all be short, fat, and bald?

I sighed at the thought of Luca and the kiss I’d given him.

“Why so gloom?”

I turned to see Dom standing beside me, his arms crossed on his chest.

“Do you really want to annoy me? I’ve got a trowel, you know.”

He raised his hands in surrender. “Scary…”

I nodded. “Yes.” I leaned back on my heels to have a better look at him. “What can I help you with?”

“I’m taking you out.”

“Taking me out? Like…” I ran my thumb along my neck in a cut-throat way.

He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Only you, I swear…” He sighed. “No, I’m taking you to a masquerade ball, in the city.”

I stood up, adjusting the cap on my head. “Masquerade? Why? When?”

“Yes, you know…a ball with masks.”

It was my turn to roll my eyes. “I know what a masquerade is, Dom. It just seems so…random.”

He shrugged. “Why not though? It’s fun and you’ve been cooped up in this house for months and what about before? Did you ever do anything fun like that? I’m sure you didn’t go to parties when you went to high school.”

He did have a point. It sounded like fun and I had never been to an actual party before except to the one organized by my killer parents where I had to play the role of their perfect daughter.

“I have nothing to wear for it.” I’d have to spend more of my savings and I was not too overly keen on that. “When is it?”

“Next Friday and don’t worry about having anything to wear, I have you covered, Boo.”

“Boo?” I asked, arching an eyebrow.

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