Page 21 of Sinful Daughter (Dark Mafia Sins 2)

“Fair enough.” His hand squeezes my leg while he watches me with particular interest. His expression has morphed into genuine concern. My eyes flutter closed as I attempt to make sense of what I’m doing. He strokes a strand of my hair. “I will protect you, Aria. It’s what I do best.”

I lean my head onto his shoulder. I’m doing the right thing for the family.La famiglia protegge la famiglia,family protects family.

Clearing his voice, Theo breaks the silence. “Come on, I’ll walk you to the door.”

My mouth hangs open. Just like that, I’m dismissed. Theo Fox is a complete asshole who only thinks of himself.

“I can see myself out.” I scoff, striding to the door. He’s on my heels, leaving no space between us.

“You’re unbelievable,” he says behind my back.

Spinning around, I place my hand on my hip. “What the hell does that mean?”

“I’m helping you out, and you’re acting all mad and shit.”

“First off, I didn’t ask for you to help us out, and you made it sound a lot like I had no choice.”

He takes over my personal space, and I back into the partial wall the separates his entrance from the living room.

His arms cage me in. They rest by my shoulders, but his whole body leans in toward me. “Look, Red. I can do this without you, but then I’ll start looking into your family too.”

“Does this mean we’re off your radar?”

His lips are a few inches from mine, his masculine scent surrounding me. “Hell no. But it means I take a break from looking your way. Let’s not confuse this for what it is.”

We’re both glaring at each other, wanting to have control over one another.

“Let’s face it; you need me. Otherwise, agoodguy like you wouldn’t be associating with me.” I stress the term, watching his eyes narrow further. For good measure, I cup his cock through his jeans and squeeze it. A reminder to him I also have him by the balls.

He pushes himself harder into me, not intimidated by my little outburst. Electricity strums between us, sending a wave of shock down my spine. My heart hitches with the full attention we have on each other. I want to squeeze until he winces or steps away. I don’t know if I should be proud that I’m holding my ground or disappointed that I’m not affecting him in the same way.

His thumb traces the outline of my lips, not worried about my grip. My blood roars through my ears, feeling hot beneath my skin.

The longer we stare at each other, the more aware I become of his eyes changing. His dark irises warm, and he’s watching me in a way that has me feeling exposed. Desire swarms in his eyes, contradicting my previous thought that I don’t affect him. My stomach tightens. No man has ever looked at me in this way before. He’s looking at me like I could rise to the moon. Before I can analyze whatever this is, his door flies open.

My hand lets go of him, but his lips crash against me, his hand resting on my breast. His tongue slips in, massaging mine. I’m too shocked by our intrusion to fight against him. He once again kisses me stupid.

He tugs my hair out of my ponytail, moving my hair to the side, blocking my face from our guests, who I seem to have completely forgotten about. He tilts his body so his back is against the people in the entrance when he pulls away.

“Go be a good girl and warm my bed.” He nips my cheek that is turning red with anger. Keeping my head down, I move toward the hallway where I assume his bedroom is.

“You know what? On another thought, go out the back door, and I’ll call you when I need you.”

Curling my fingers into a fist, I remind myself this is better. I’m still fuming at the level of jackass he is. Instead of turning to go down the small hallway, I keep going straight. My back stays facing the entrance door as I walk through the small kitchen and out the back door. I can’t even look back to see who the guys are, but I can feel all their eyes on me.

CHAPTER 14

Meetings are happeningat all hours of the day, and men are allowed back into our house. Luna has been involved in more meetings than anyone. Each time I watch her get summoned, I feel myself being pulled toward them. The need to know what’s going on is driving me crazy. I’d be lying if part of me wasn’t jealous that she gets to sit in with everyone. I know my father is waiting for me to decide, but Luna never had the option. Does he think I’m not cut out for it?

Theo trusts me. Wants my help. He believes I could be useful. I love my father and hate Theo, yet I can’t help but to pit them against each other in my mind.

Party Time.

Theo’s unknown number pops up on my phone. My heart shakes with nerves and excitement of the unknown. I want my father to realize I can be useful to him. Leaving our outdoor pool area, I head into the house.

My brother runs down the stairs and out the door. Luca is the best sniper around. All of our men talk about it. If something big is going down, you need him on your side. Following in the direction of his footsteps, I watch as he burns his tires, leaving the compound. Everyone in our house is too occupied with business to notice we’ve let down our guard. We may have doubled the men outside, but we’re not ready.

Luca doesn’t take any bodyguards with him. I spot a few men outside playing dice.

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