Page 128 of Mafia Kings: Dario

Dario came to the bed, leaned over me, and tried to kiss me.

I turned my face away so that he kissed my cheek instead.

He roughly grabbed my chin and turned me towards him – then kissed me on the lips.

I struggled to break free. “Stop!”

He let go of me. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t want to tonight.”

He switched on the light next to my bed and sat next to me. “Are you alright?”

I looked away from him miserably. He was so handsome that it made me want to give in… to do like Caterina had said and throw caution to the wind.

“…no,” I murmured.

He caressed my arm. “What’s wrong?”

His touch was so sensual… and I wanted him so badly…

“I’m not your whore,” I whispered.

He chuckled and leaned in to kiss my neck. “Of course you are.”

I pushed him away. “NO, I’mnot!”

He stood up, furious and bewildered. “Madonn –what’s gotten into you?!”

I looked up at him with tears in my eyes. “Do I meananythingto you?”

His face softened. “Of course you do. A great deal, actually.”

“Do you think of the future… with me in it?”

Dario narrowed his eyes. “Are you asking what Ithinkyou’re asking?”

I suddenly felt embarrassed and insecure. “I don’t know… what do youthinkI’m asking?”

“It sounds like you’re talking about marriage.”

I looked up at him helplessly.

Suddenly, without warning, he laughed.

I stared at him in horror…

Then turned away from him with a heaviness in my heart.

“Alessandra, we’ve known each other for less than two weeks,” he said, his voice slightly angry. It got angrier as he spoke. “I’ve been the head of my family for only three. I’m in the middle of what could be a war between my family, a gangster from Turkey, and various factions of theCosa Nostra,none of whom will actually challenge me to my face. They want to destroy me and my brothers – to take everything we have, everything our father and grandfather built. Death is all around me… financial ruin is staring me in the face… and you’re asking me, after a week of fucking, whether I intend tomarryyou?”

After a week of fucking.

That was all the answer I needed.

“I want to go home,” I whispered.

“Youcan’tgo home,” he snapped. “My enemies are out there.”