Page 3 of Secret Babies for the Italian Mafia Boss

“Oh, rule-breaking Camilla. I like her.” Cora clinks her glass with Jasmine before shooting it down her throat without flinching. “What’s the plan?”

“We’re going to Renegades, but we’re going to sneak out the back and head to Club Forty-Seven.”

“You don’t think Marco will notice?” Jasmine asks.

“He isn’t allowed in, anyway. I’m not sure why I’m not allowed at Club Forty-Seven, and I want to find out,” I say. “I’m an adult. I should be able to make my own choices.”

“Hear, hear,” Jasmine cheers, lifting her shot glass.

There’s another item on my list that I haven’t told my friends about. I want tonight to be the night I lose my virginity. I don’t want it to be sweet and thoughtful or awkward. I want it to be in the moment with an experienced guy. I don’t want it to be a big deal. If I told Jasmine and Cora, they would call me crazy.

I’m an adult, a grown woman, and I want to experience the things women experience.

Cora has. Jasmine has.

It’s my turn.

While Marco drives, Jasmine turns on the music, and the neon lights in the back begin to flash. I press the button to the sunroof and stick my head out, feeling the warmth in my cheeks from the tequila as the night breeze hits my face.

Cora pops up next to me, then Jasmine, and we’re waving at people as Marco drives downtown.

“It’s her birthday!” Cora yells, pointing at me.

A stranger hoots and hollers, then shouts, “Happy birthday!”

Lines from the bars and clubs are a mile long, and I remember I haven't eaten as I take in the smell of BBQ from the nearest restaurant.

I’m starving.

Marco pulls into the front of Renegades, and I dip down to take a seat, fixing my windblown hair. I’m nervous.

I’ve never gone against my dad or his security, but tonight is different. Tonight, I need to break away from the constraints and rules I constantly live by to make my dad happy. It’s time to be my own person without someone else whispering in my ear.

The back door opens, and Jasmine slides out, then Cora, and with a deep breath, I follow. Marco snags my arm and quirks a brow at me.

“What?”

“You smell like tequila.”

I roll my eyes at him. “We did a few shots in the back. I’m twenty-one now, Marco. I can do those. It’s the entire point for tonight. In fact, I might get sloppy drunk and tumble into the limo when you pick us up. Okay?”

“I’m not used to it, that’s all. As promised, I won’t be bothering you. I need to run a few errands for Mr. Thompson. Call me when you’re ready to be picked up. And remember your code—”

“—Marco. I’ll be okay.” I hug him, and he grunts, not expecting the embrace, but pats me on the back. “Thank you for being worried, but I’ll be fine. I promise.”

Marco has been my guard for as long as I can remember. He’s graying around the temples, but most of his hair is black, and his eyes are still sharp, calculating, and ready to kill.

“Be safe,” he whispers into my ear, slamming the back door shut before stepping away.

He’s the uncle I never had, not that he knows that, but it’s how I feel.

“Come on, let’s go!” Jasmine tugs on my wrist, yanking me from Marco.

She drags me across the sidewalk, and Cora loops her arm through mine as Jasmine marches up to the bouncer, bypassing the line. I could use my name to get us in, but I don’t want to.

“Well, what can I do for you, Beautiful?” the bouncer purrs to Jasmine, smirking and showing his straight white teeth. His biceps bulge against the material of his shirt.

“It’s my friend’s twenty-first birthday. We were hoping to skip the line to show her a good time,” she flirts, wrapping her hair around her finger, and Cora giggles into my ear as we watch Jasmine work her magic.

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