Page 31 of Dangerous Attraction

His thumb traced my skin. “You are home, Bella.”

“You know what I mean, Massimo. I have an apartment.”

“Not anymore. Donny took care of the broken door, but he learned your landlord has been stealing the money renters give him. You can’t go back.”

“What?” Opening my eyes, I stared at him in disbelief. “My things are there.”

“What little you left behind has been packed up and will be delivered tomorrow, along with some other things I’ve picked out for you.”

“This is moving too fast…” I stood and walked toward the kitchen. “I need some time. Jesus Christ, Massimo. You decided how my life would go without even considering how I would feel.”

“Well, you’re in luck. I must fly to Sicily tomorrow. I’ll be gone for a few days. Stay here until I return, then we’ll go from there.”

twenty

MASSIMO

“Why are you going to Italy?”Madison asked as I followed her into the kitchen.

“My grandfather has taken ill, and I need to assist my father in the transition of taking his place.” I leaned against the counter, watching her.

“Your father, the Don?”

I laughed. “Yes… theDon.”

“What happens when he stays in Italy?”

I pulled a stool out and sat down, watching her as she shuffled through the refrigerator.

“I have been groomed since I was old enough to understand what my family was to take over one day. That day has come.”

She froze, her body hidden behind the fridge door. “You're going to be over… all this?” She waved her hand through the air.

“Yes. Does that frighten you?”

“I don’t really understand enough to be frightened. All I’ve ever heard about the mafia, I learned from TV. Is it like that?”

I couldn't help but laugh. She was so fucking cute with her innocent questions.

“To an extent, yes. With less murder, though.” She opened the cabinet. “What are you looking for?”

She blushed, her hand pausing on the handle. “Sorry, I’m a little hungry. I was trying to find something to eat.”

“Let me call downstairs. Someone can run and get us food.”

Madison shook her head. “It’s almost eleven. I’ll be fine.”

“I won’t. I haven’t eaten today.” I pulled my cell out and called down to the bar. After telling them what I wanted, I put my phone on the charger. “Dinner will be here in an hour. How about you take a bath? It’ll be good for your muscles.”

Madison sighed, and her shoulders visibly relaxed. “That actually sounds divine.”

I held my hand out. “Here, let me help you.” Her hand fit in mine perfectly as I led her into the bathroom. “Sit.” I pointed to the lounger beside the tub. Flicking on the water, I poured in some bath salts and bubbles, then tested the temperature. “Alright, I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her head. It took all my self-control to walk out of the bathroom and leave her to sink into the water. After I closed the door, I leaned against the wooden frame before stripping off my blazer and tossing it onto the chair. My gun felt heavy on my back, so I eased it out, carefully placing it on the counter. I was finally starting to relax when my phone buzzed in the charger across the room. I walked over to where it was and pressed it to my ear.

“Massimo?”

The sound of my mother’s forlorn voice put me on alert.

---