Page 42 of Mafia King's Forbidden Vows

My dad and I erupt into uncontrollable laughter. I lean my head on his shoulder just like I did to Mario when I wasn’t feeling good.

“You used to cling to him just like this,” Dad whispers.

“And he used to whine about it, asking me to let go of him whenever I did,” I respond, smiling fondly.

“I never saw a boy who was more charismatic and compassionate at the same time.”

I wipe the tears at the corners of my eyes with my thumb; the memory of my brother is always like a dagger to my chest, reviving the pain just when I think I am able to live with it.

“I hate that you have to stay here,” I say subconsciously.

“Don’t worry about me, Aria,” he takes my hand with his weak grip, “I’ve been doing just fine till now. It’s going to get better from here.”

I cannot explain the relief that seizes my chest each time my dad reassures me like this.

“I just can’t stand anything going wrong with you. You’re all I have.”

His face expands into the most beautiful smile I’ve seen on him in a while. “I’m going to be fine, Aria. I promise.”

I lean over to plant a kiss on his forehead, then rise and go over to pick up my handbag.

“I have to get to work now. I’ll drop by tomorrow.”

He nods his head, and for a minute, I can see that he is struggling with his emotions.

“Are you sure you’re going to be okay? You’ve been working really hard since you regained consciousness. I’m really worried for you. With all these attacks, maybe you should take a bre–”

He sniffles and nods his head again, “I didn’t become Deputy Chief by lying around, Aria. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

I bend over his frame, careful not to put my weight on him, then wrap my arms around him as much as I can.

“I love you, Dad.”

His heart thumps for a while before he responds, “I love you, too, Aria.”

I pull myself away from him, walking away from his room without another glance.

I cannot explain the complexity of my life right now, but if there is anything I know, it’s that my father has to be safe no matter what.

Elio may be a big, bad guy, but I’m going to have to use him to ensure that my family remains safe and alive, at least for now.

Even if it means becoming his wife.

Chapter fifteen

Elio

The dimly lit office is bathed in the warm amber glow of the desk lamp, casting long, dramatic shadows across the walls. I hesitate to turn on the overhead lights, knowing that doing so would reveal the vivid image seared into my mind −her sprawled across the mahogany desk, legs parted, waiting for me to claim her.

The glass of whiskey in my hand has been untouched for over twenty minutes, so I get up to take out some ice cubes from the fridge at the corner of the office.

I try to navigate my way through the darkness, but three steps in the wrong direction drag a groan from me, causing me to turn on the lights.

I stop in front of the desk, there are papers strewn all over it now, yet all I can see is her perfect peach skin against the dark mahogany.

God! The sheer thought of her has hardened my cock, yet again.

I turn away and head quickly to the refrigerator, taking out some ice cubes from the freezer compartment and dunking them into the whiskey glass.

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