Page 98 of Craving Danger

“Please.”

I glance at the window, and seeing Franco standing there, I startle.

“You’re sneaky,” I whisper into the phone.

“All is fair in love and war.”

I move closer to the window and lock eyes with him through the glass.

We stare at each other for close to a minute while I try to sort through my feelings about him being here.

Giving in, I end the call and unlock the window.

Franco pushes it open, and I watch as he climbs inside. When he straightens to his full height, he tucks his phone into his pocket.

This is the first time he’s come through the window wearing a suit and not his uniform fromParadiso,and it makes everything more real.

It merges my mystery man with my boss, and my confused mind gets a little more clarity.

My heart, on the other hand, starts to beat faster and faster until it’s a mere fluttering in my chest.

When I started working at Vitale Health, I had a crush on Mr. Vitale.

Just like every other woman in the building.

Of course, it died a quick death when I became his PA, but now it’s back. Add to that my love for my mystery man, and I feel a little overwhelmed.

I move to one of the couches and sit down. Staring at the coffee table, I try to shove my feelings down because I need to be sensible about the situation.

Franco takes a seat next to me, and he places his hand palm up on his thigh.

My eyebrows draw together as I lay my hand in his.

His fingers weave with mine, then he says, “Christ, I missed you.”

I missed you too.

Lifting my hand to his mouth, he presses a kiss to my skin.

My heart wars with my mind, and I feel a little lost.

“Want to talk about it?” he asks.

Closing my eyes, I lean against his shoulder. I smell his aftershave and feel how solid he is beside me.

“Even if I can look past you deceiving me, it won’t matter, because you’re one of the heads of the Cosa Nostra.” I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly before I continue, “At the end of the day, you’re a criminal.”

He takes a deep breath and tightens his hold on my hand before he mentions, “Honestly, the Cosa Nostra does a hell of a lot for the city. We provide jobs to thousands. We keep the gangs in check. We keep drugs off the streets. It’s one of the reasons the police look the other way. We do half their job for them.”

I didn’t know that.

“We don’t shit where we eat, Samantha.”

I stare at his hand as I ask the most crucial question, “How many people have you killed?”

He’s quiet for a moment before he answers, “I don’t keep count.” He lets out a sigh, then adds, “But I can promise you, I’ve never killed an innocent person.”

I pull my hand free from his, and leaning forward, I rest my elbows on my knees and rub my hands over my face.

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