Page 31 of Mafia Shade's Reluctant Bride
I almost rolled my eyes. I had such a long day, and I truly didn’t want to deal with this or him now.
“You are becoming a regular visitor. Maybe we should get you a room here.” His voice was calm, but his gaze was all suspicion, the kind that made people nervous.
Too bad I wasn’t people.
I stepped closer, slowly and deliberately, because I wanted him to feel it—the weight of me, the space I took up, and the fact that if I wanted to, I could end him before he even realized he’d made a mistake.
Instead, I smiled. “Nice evening, isn’t it?”
“I knew your father,” he said, unrelated. I wasn’t sure what he was driving at, but I have gotten to know people enough to know that if you let them talk, they will reveal their motives and weaknesses.
His jaw ticked. “He wasn’t really a good man. He was involved in a lot of shady deals and was a major kingpin.”
I kept quiet. I wasn’t going to give him the luxury of my response.
He continued, just as I suspected he would. “There’s something about you I don’t trust.”
That made me chuckle. “Smart man.”
“I mean it.”
“So do I.”
His eyes narrowed. “Maria doesn’t need someone like you around her.”
I tilted my head, studying him. “Nice of you to finally pick up the role of a caring uncle, but you and I know why.”
Enrico’s fists clenched, and for a second, I almost hoped he’d be dumb enough to throw a punch. It would’ve been fun. Instead, he exhaled sharply through his nose, like he was trying to keep himself in check. “You think you are smart, but I will let you know that you are not.”
I took a step closer, just enough to remind him that this wasn’t a fight he wanted. Just enough for him to know I wasn’t someone he would want to pick a fight with. “Stay out of my way, Enrico.” My voice was even and calm, but every syllable carried a promise. “You won’t like what happens if you don’t.”
His throat bobbed, but he held my stare. Credit where it was due, though. He had some guts. Not enough to win, but enough to stand his ground.
Without another word, I walked past him and headed inside. I heard him mumbling something unintelligible, but I wasn’t going to stick around to indulge him any further.
Luca was in the kitchen, leaning against the counter with a half-empty beer in his hand.
When he saw me, he smirked. “I saw you pull into the driveway an eternity ago. Were you rehearsing a speech it took you so long to find your way inside?”
I shrugged, grabbed a bottle from the counter, and twisted the cap off. “Ran into your guard dog outside.”
Luca laughed. “Enrico?”
“Yeah. I don’t think he likes me.”
Luca raised his brows. “Can’t blame him.”
That made me chuckle.
I leaned against the counter, taking a swig of my drink. “Maria around?”
The smirk vanished. I might have asked too fast, but I didn’t come here to have small talk with Luca about his overbearing uncle. Not when my mind has been consumed with the thought of her all day.
Luca set his beer down and crossed his arms, suddenly looking like the overprotective big brother I never knew him to be, “Listen to me, Lorenzo, This—” he gestured vaguely to me and an invincible figure beside him, “—is all an act. So don’t get any ideas. This is just business.”
I lifted a brow. “Ideas?” What was he talking about?
Luca’s eyes narrowed. “You know exactly what I mean. Don’t think of doing anything inappropriate with my sister. I will haunt you if you try it.”
