Page 63 of Mafia Shade's Reluctant Bride
Dante smirked. Knowing that he had finally gotten my attention. “It’s a good opportunity to be seen. You and Maria. Publicity. People talking. Isn’t that the whole point?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Since when do you care about publicity?”
“Since I started seeing you lose your mind over a woman. Also, some potential clients will be there. I want you to just shake hands with them so I can start the conversation with them, knowing you are acquainted,” he explained confidently.
I scoffed. “I’m not losing my mind,” I paused and continued. “And I knew this wasn’t about you caring about any PDA stuff. It is about you and business. It is always about business for you.”
“You’re losing something. Your mind or potential clients.”
I rolled my eyes. “You done?”
“No.”
I started walking toward the door. “I’m done.”
“So you’re going?”
I stopped. Dante is loyal to a fault, but when it comes to business, he can be persuasive. That can be a blessing and a curse at the same time.
Dante grinned. “Thought so.”
I sighed. “Fine. RSVP. Whatever.”
Dante clapped me on the back, looking far too amused. “You’re really willing to kiss ass for Maria, huh?”
“Shut up,” I snorted, and he grinned. “Being funny isn’t your strong suit, Dante.”
“Neither is lying, apparently.” I shook my head, walking inside.
Yeah. I was losing something. And I wasn’t sure I wanted it back.
******
I pulled up in front of Maria’s house, gripping the steering wheel like it had personally offended me. This was supposed to be simple. Show up. Talk about the gala. Leave.
But my mind was still stuck on last night and on the way she tasted and felt against me—the way every part of me had wanted to go further.
I ran a hand over my face. No. I wasn’t going to think about that. It wasn’t part of the deal to be thinking about the kiss when we were supposed to think of a way to make our relationship believable.
But right now, that wasn’t even the problem. I exhaled sharply and got out of the car before I talked myself into leaving.
Matteo was the first one to spot me. The second he did, his face lit up like I’d just promised him an entire toy store. “Lorenzo!”
He barreled toward me at full speed, his tiny feet slapping against the floor, and I barely had time to brace myself before he crashed into my legs, gripping them in a surprisingly strong hug.
“You are here early!”
I raised an eyebrow. “You sound surprised to see me this early.”
“I thought you were always too busy doing boring adult stuff!”
I smirked. “I do boring adult stuff all the time. But right now, I am officially here for non-boring activities.”
Matteo gasped dramatically. “Like what?”
I leaned in, lowering my voice like I was telling him a state secret. “Like dragons.”
His eyes went wide. “You know about dragons?”
