Page 86 of Corrupted Heir (Mafia Kings: Corrupted 1)

“You know what I mean, Dom. Stop being a pain in the ass. I’m trying to ask you something here,” Fallon said. “If you weren’t born into this life, what do you think you would have been like? What would you have done for a living?”

Her question was sweet, but I couldn't come up with an answer straight away. “You mean what did I want to be when I grew up?”

“Yeah, kinda,” Fallon said. She ran the back of her palm along my cheek.

“I probably would have been a salesman, or stuck in a dreary cubicle from nine to five. I’d hate my life and look forward to the weekends, because that would be my only joy in life,” I said.

Fallon scoffed. “Seriously? A salesman or an office job was your big aspiration as a kid? What do you think you would enjoy doing if you quit right now?”

I let out a lung full of air. “Honestly? I probably would have become a lawyer because they make a lot of money. Or a homesteader. Who knows? If I wasn’t born in this life, I’d be a completely different person with different dreams.”

Fallon pursed her lips. “I like the idea of you wearing flannel, chopping down trees, and hunting your own meat. Sounds cool. Oh god, and you gardening shirtless? Ooh-wee, I’m getting hot just thinking about it.”

“You only love me for my body,” I lamented.

Fallon came closer, brushing her lips against mine, barely touching them. Just as I was about to kiss her, I heard it.

The staccato beat of gunfire. One shot fired, then a second, then a third. It wasn’t in the distance, either, it sounded like it was on our property.

Acting on pure instincts, I took her in my arms and rolled the both of us off the bed. We hit the floor, hidden next to the bed, out of the way of any possible stray bullets.

Fallon let out a little yelp.

“Just breathe,” I said softly. “Don’t panic.”

“How am I supposed to—” she started but I covered her mouth. The commotion outside only escalated.

There was a loud knock on the door.

“Dominic,” Leo’s voice bellowed. “They’re here. Let’s go,fratello.”

It wasn’t often Leo sound anything but laid-back. This was definitely not laid-back.

Fuck. It was Nova.

I shot out of bed and pulled clothes on as quickly as I could.

The door flew open a second later. Leo stood there armed like he was going to war.

There’d been no word on the street that Tony was anywhere near ready to attack and certainly not in our goddamned home. I stood up, squared my shoulders, and walked toward the doorway.

“Guns ablazing,” Leo said. He toyed with the assault rifle hanging on his shoulder. “The war’s right on our doorstep, so I guess that means I’m glad you’re here. We need you.”

“Of course.” I put my hand on the back of his neck, pulling his forehead against mine. “We take them down tonight,fratello.”

Leo nodded. “I need to make sure Mamma’s safe and hidden. I’ll see you in a bit.”

Leo left, and I turned to Fallon.

“Stay in here. Don’t open the door for anything,” I told her. I wished I had more time to reassure her everything would be okay, but I didn’t.

“Wait,” she said, her voice thick with emotion as she darted toward me.

Her body collided with mine, and she held on tight as she kissed me with what felt like every fiber of her being. Time stood still, and the world disappeared.

“Don’t you die on me, okay?” she said when she pulled away. “Don’t you dare.”

“I’m too stubborn to die,limone,” I said. “Just… don’t leave this room. No matter what happens.”

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