Page 55 of Sin & Secrets

“Is that a bad thing?” As I ask, I bring my legs up under me, curious about the sadness behind his smirk.

“You have very few opportunities to be normal as a mafioso.”

“So surely you should allow him such pleasures in his retirement?”

He finishes his drink quickly. “Can we talk about something else?” he snaps.

I cringe a little at his sharpness.“I’ve upset you.”

“You’ve…it’s not your fault. I think I’m just in a foul mood after seeing him.”

“Parents can’t always be as we hope them to be.” I sigh, thinking of the picture of my parents my mother had kept in the back of the drawer.

I let the silence stretch, content with just sitting in his company. It’s a strange feeling, especially considering that I entered this room wanting nothing better than to chew him out and threaten to leave.

“He was an asshole, my father. Ever since I was young,” Rocco finally admits. “Too absorbed in drinking and gambling away my inheritance to pay me much mind. But when he did…”

He trails off as if realizing himself. “Sorry, you didn’t ask to hear this.”

“I’m happy to,” I reply quickly. “You seem different today.” I flush at the way his eyebrow raises. “What I mean is, maybe it will help to talk about it.”

“In truth? It may explain some of my actions regarding you. My father…I preferred it when he didn’t notice me. His attentionoften came with more violent tendencies, and I quickly learned how to endure his wrath.”

“Rocco…”

“I swore I would never hurt an innocent the way he hurt me.” he looks away. “When I saw you that first night at theCandelabra…those bruises…I couldn’t comprehend why anyone would lay a hand on you.”

I breathe in and out slowly. “You said inElectrixthat you would help me because it was the right thing to do.”

It hadn’t made any sense. How could a mafia Don be so willing to do something without anything in return?

But now…

“I’m not a good man, Cas. But any innocent on the receiving end of such abuse will always find shelter here.”

I feel my heart swelling in my chest. So much of my opinion of the man before me was based on assumption.

“Rocco…”

“I don’t want your pity,” he states firmly, staring down at his hands. “I just wanted you to know why. I hope it gives you some reassurance about my intentions.”

But I’m already shaking my head. Because there’s nothing I want more than to kiss him right now.

So I do.

15

ROCCO

My mind goes blank as her lips touch mine.

All I feel is an almost holy sense of calm. All that matters is that she’s there in front of me, willingly kissing me.

Those lips…her sinful mouth pressed against mine. How many times had I imagined this? How often had I forced myself to deny the urge to kiss her?

It wasn’t something I ever let myself do. Kissing always felt too personal and emotional. Even with Danny, I wouldn’t let her kiss me for fear she would get too attached.

But after so long…od, does it feel good.

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