Page 36 of Mafia Shade's Reluctant Bride
“Oh?”
“I was just watching how you drive.” I lifted my chin, forcing my voice into something neutral. “I want to learn.”
Lorenzo glanced at me, and something amused flickered in his dark eyes. “Weird.”
“What’s weird about that?”
He smirked. “Because you’ve been able to drive since you were sixteen.”
“Fuck!” I cursed internally. I had been caught in a ridiculous lie, and the worst part was—I had no idea why I even said it in the first place. Did I forget this man right here knows almost everything there is to know about me.
Lorenzo looked far too entertained.
I exhaled and turned to the window. “Whatever.”
The drive continued in silence, but I could still feel his gaze flickering to me every so often, like he was trying to figure something out. Or maybe he already had.
By the time we pulled up to the club, the sun was already setting. The sky was washed in deep purples and navy blues. A few workers milled about, setting up for the night. Warm lights spilled from the entrance to the pavement.
Lorenzo parked, stepping out first. I followed, my heels clicking against the ground.
And the moment I took in the place, something hit me.
A strange, nagging familiarity.
It settled in my chest, an odd sense of déjà vu crawling up my spine.
The club was sleek and elegant but not ostentatious, with dark-tinted windows and a polished exterior. The large doors stood open, spilling out a soft hum of music, the scent of liquor, and something faintly spicy lingering in the air.
Then, a voice.
“Boss.”
A man stepped out.
He was tall and built like someone who could kill you in eight different ways before you even blinked. He had dark hair, sharp eyes, and a presence that demanded attention without trying.
Lorenzo nodded. “Dante.”
The man—Dante—turned to me, his expression shifting to something more welcoming. “And you must be Maria.”
His voice.
Something about it made my breath hitch.
It was deep and smooth, but there was something else. His voice was familiar.
I smiled, masking my unease. “Nice to meet you.”
Dante inclined his head slightly, and then he turned back to Lorenzo. “Everything’s ready inside.”
Lorenzo gestured for me to follow.
The moment we stepped in, it hit me like a freight train—the scent, lighting, and layout of the place.
I stopped dead in my tracks.
No.
