Page 63 of Dangerous Attraction

“Fear is a silly emotion. We cannot stop fate, Sweet Girl. Letting uncertainty rule you will only lead to heartache in the end.”

“Well… it doesn’t matter until he asks me.”

“Asks you what?” Massimo’s voice filled the room, causing me to startle.

“Nothing.” I smiled, embarrassed that he had probably heard us talking.

“We were talking about when you two will marry. I want to fill this house with happiness… Giuseppe would want that.” She pulled at her fingers and reached out to Massimo, handing him something. “Here, I want you to have this.”

Massimo set down the drink he was holding and opened his hand. She placed something in his palm, causing him to look up at her. Vittoria had removed her engagement ring and given it to him.

“Nonna, I can’t take this.”

“You can and you will. Now, give it to this girl. I want a wedding soon.” She pushed up from the bench and gave a half-hearted smile. “I’ll leave you two to chat.”

Massimo hugged her. “Nonna, I love you.”

“I know, boy. Make her yours.” She winked at me as she slowly made her way out of the room.

I watched as the door closed behind her.

“What just happened?”

“I think I’ve just been given my first order as the new Don.” Massimo chuckled, setting down the glass he held in his other hand. He moved to stand in front of me and squatted.

“Massimo?” I asked, confused by what he was doing.

“Madison, this is not the way I planned on doing this, but Nonna is right. When you know, you know…” He dropped his knee, causing me to cover my mouth with my hands and gasp. “You walked into my office like a thunderous freight train. I knew in that instant I would make you mine. You ground me in ways I never thought possible. It’s like you are the lighthouse high on the rocks in the middle of a storm, and I’m the lowly ship being guided to you. Wherever you are, I want to be. After three days, Nonna knew Giuseppe was her soul mate. Until you, I never thought they existed. I know you’re scared of how you feel. Hell, I am, too, but I cannot imagine being without you in this life or the next. Will you take a chance on me and do me the honor of becoming my Goddess?”

“Massimo…” I ran my hand down his face, cupping his cheek in my hand. “Yes. I will marry you.”

Standing, he captured my lips and laced his fingers into my hair. I tugged his shoulders, drawing our bodies closer. He held me, our mouths moving in a fury of hazy lust. Breaking the kiss, he held out the engagement ring that had been on his grandmother’s finger moments before. Carefully easing it onto my ring finger, he smiled once it was seated.

“It fits.” He grinned even wider. “This is proof we’re meant to be. I love you, Madison. You own my soul.”

forty-one

MASSIMO

This was supposedto be our moment—she’d agreed to be my wife. The moment Vincenzo burst through the door, I knew something was wrong.

“Vincenzo.” I turned to face him. “What is it?” Madison tucked herself under my arm, pressing into my side.

“We have a problem, Fratello.”

I stiffened at his words. “What do you mean, a problem?”

“A dead body has turned up at my restaurant.”

“Who?”

Vincenzo bristled. “Salena Angel.”

“Angel?As in Miguel Angel? Please tell me this is a coincidence. That the dead girl isn’t related to the new boss of the Sureños.”

“I wish I could. It’s his sister. We need to go home, Massimo. Angel is on a warpath. He thinks we did this… that I did this.”

“Why would you kill his sister?Fuck.” I turned to Madison. “I’m sorry. I wanted to spend time here, with you, but…”

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