Page 76 of Craving Danger

Nodding, I follow Mom to the front door and haul my luggage to the Prius.

The drive to the airport is quiet, and by the time Mom drops me off, my heart is heavy with dread.

I give her a quick hug. “I’m going to miss you.”

“Me too, sweetie.” She pulls back, and her eyes drift over my face. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Mom.”

Taking hold of my luggage, I pull it behind me as I walk into the airport. I check in and go through security while my thoughts revolve around everything that’s happened.

Tomorrow, I have to go back to work and what? Pretend like nothing happened?

I was wary of Mr. Vitale before I knew he was a mob boss, but now I’m downright terrified of the man.

Chapter 24

Franco

When I climb through Samantha’s window, there’s no sign of her.

I move toward the bedroom, and looking inside, I see her standing on her toes so she can put her luggage on the top shelf.

Christ, it’s good to see her.

I walk closer, and coming up behind her, I take hold of her hip.

“Oh Jesus,” she gasps before stumbling backward and colliding with my chest.

“Welcome home,” I say, my tone soft. I lean down until my mouth is by her ear. “I missed you.”

She turns around, and giving me a playful look of warning, she says, “Don’t sneak up on me. You’ll give me a heart attack.”

“Sorry, baby.”

She wraps her arms around my waist and says, “I missed you too.”

“I missed you more.” I lift my hands and brush my palms over her bare shoulders and arms. “You look beautiful in this dress.”

“I’m glad you like it.” She grins up at me. “I got it in Seattle.”

My eyes search her face before I ask, “Did you have a nice time?”

“The best.” She turns around and closes the closet doors, then says, “I ate way too much food. The vacation did me a world of good.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

She comes to stand in front of me again. “How was your week?”

Fucking exhausting.

I shrug. “I kept busy with work.” I bring my hand to her face and brush a finger along her jaw. “What do you want to do tonight?”

She pulls away from me and says, “I don’t know if it’s worth going through the list because it’s not helping. Even though I don’t get panic attacks with you, I still crap myself around other men.”

“All men?” I ask because she doesn’t lose her shit when I touch her as myself and not her mystery man.

She thinks for a moment, then mutters, “For some reason, I’m kind of okay with my boss. At least I was before…”

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