Page 33 of Mafia Shade's Reluctant Bride

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I shrugged. “A little.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re both idiots.”

Probably.

Maria sighed, running a hand through her hair. “Why are you here, Lorenzo?”

Good question.

I had a reason. Something about the business. Something about easing her into it.

But standing there, looking at her, my brain wasn’t functioning properly.

I wanted her.

Not in a casual way, like I didn’t want my coffee black or creamy. Not in the way that burned hot and fast and then disappeared.

No.

With Maria, it was different. It was slow and deep, something that had been simmering for years. A part of me wanted to turn around and leave.

Because this? This was dangerous.

I wasn’t supposed to want her. I wasn’t supposed to look at her and think about what she’d feel like under me. What she’d sound like if I—

I exhaled, forcing my thoughts back into something decent.

Maria was still waiting for an answer.

I gave her a smile, and I could feel her resolve slowing melting and the walls she put up crumbling.

“Wanted to see you.”

Her lips parted slightly like she hadn’t expected that.

Luca groaned again. “I hate both of you.”

Maria ignored him, and so did I.

My gaze held hers the way she held mine. A fire was burning. We could feel it.

And yeah.

I was completely, utterly, thoroughly fucked.

CHAPTER EIGHT

MARIA

I heard voices downstairs.

Luca’s, obviously. But the other—deep, smooth, and annoyingly familiar—made my heart do something ridiculous.

Lorenzo.

I hesitated at the top of the stairs, gripping the railing a little too tight. He wasn’t supposed to be here. He was supposed to be anywhere but here, giving me space and letting me stay mad at him for at least a full day.

But, of course, Lorenzo never did what he was supposed to.

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