Page 10 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

The faint scent of sandalwood that found its way to me while we were too far apart, the look he gave me the first time we met that is burned into memory… what is it about Ethan that affects me?

The sound of shuffling footsteps outside the door feels like a rude yank back to reality, and I quickly glance over my shoulder, expecting someone to be there.

Nobody appears, and I turn again, only to come face-to-face with Ethan’s scowl.

“I’m sure your job description doesn’t entail sneaking into bedrooms, does it?”

Mortification replaces the warmth from before, and my cheeks turn bright.

“I’m so sorry,” I apologize profusely, shaking my head. “I was looking for the sunroom, and Mario said something about the door being open. I’m sorry,” I repeat, already backing out.

I exit the room just in time for Ethan to slam the door shut, and the sound reverberates through the house.

“What were you thinking, Natalie?”

If I knew I was going to stand and gawk at a half-naked man like a teenager discovering active hormones, I would’ve sent Danielle instead. At least she would’ve had a better excuse than the one I gave because I’m sure I stammered the entire time.

How did I get the wrong room?

I wonder as I stand a few feet away, my back towards Ethan’s door. The door is closed, but I’m too embarrassed to even glance at it.

Scratching my head, I try to remember what Mario told me. He said the door to the left, right?

No.

The right.

“Oh, Natalie.” I shake my head with a resigned sigh when I finally spot the sunroom in question. “You need help.”

It doesn’t matter, though. I shrug my shoulders as I head downstairs. I just have to get through the party tomorrow; then, I can put all of this behind me. I won’t have to worry about Ethan again or… or…the scar on his back.

The long, jagged scar. I forgot all about it when he turned around, but now I can see it again in my head.

What would possess someone to hurt a person like that? It almost nicked his spine, which meant someone wanted to hurt him badly.

“Why?”

“Why what?”

I don’t realize I’ve spoken aloud or that I’ve left the main house until Danielle throws her arm around me. “What happened?” she asks, then leans in conspiratorially. “Did you see Ethan Cross? Anthony Cross? Any of the Cross brothers?”

I push her hand off as I roll my eyes. “They’re cousins.”

She shrugs nonchalantly. “Doesn’t make any difference. They’re both handsome single men who would benefit from some loving.”

“I have better things to worry about than someone else’s love life,” I mutter as I walk away, leaving her standing behind.

The thought sneaks into my head—the Cross men and their love life. I don’t let it linger, though. I know better than to dabble in things that’ll never happen.

I’ve seen a couple men like Ethan before, although none as intense as him.

It’s a wildfire.

I don’t intend on getting burned.

Chapter Four

Ethan

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