Page 126 of My Mafia Queen

“Can we spend the evening with your men?”

He tears his hand away from me.

“Are you sure?” he says, smiling softly.

“Yes. I don’t feel like sleeping right now.”

“All right. Let’s go.”

Moments later, he holds the door for me, and we enter the guesthouse where several men sit around the table, eating, drinking, and smoking.

I’m not in the least surprised when they see me and begin to cheer.

* * *

DAMASO

The waythey greet her hasn’t been staged, and it makes her blush. There’s so much testosterone in the room, yet she stands out among them like a blooming flower in the desert.

I observe her as she adjusts quickly, not minding their attention or being the only woman in the room.

I can’t say I’m not disappointed that she couldn’t meet me midway. I also can’t say I didn’t expect her to behave the way she did.

She’s still very young.

It was a long shot, yet I had to give it a try.

I planned this trip to get some insight into where she was and what I wanted.

What I want is not possible, and her life would be ruined if I kept her with me.

First of all, she and her sister wouldn’t be safe. Adding a teen to the mix when Carmina, herself, is already barely out of her teenage years, only complicates things.

And I am too responsible to risk her life, so I have it my way. Sure, we could give it a try, but like tonight, she’d feel like she fell short and would always doubt herself.

Since my uncle gave me an ultimatum of sorts and I had to make a decision fairly quickly, I haven’t had much of a choice.

Have I?

She needs to be away from me, or her life will be in danger.

Not only is her father not exactly a reliable adult, and her ex is not completely out of the picture, but now I have my boss and his boss interested in taking her out.

I’m convinced I’m doing the right thing for her. They will no longer be a target. But they will need to move.

So, while I'm disappointed, by not being ready to be with me she’s made my decision easier.

With that, I plan to enjoy this week here with her and do exactly what I told her I would do.

As the night progresses, she comes out of her shell, and it’s maybe because we’ve already destroyed our chances of having something better than what this is.

We play cards, joke, bet, and she wins a lot.

In a better mood than before, she is now convinced the game has been rigged.

“You think I allowed you to win?” I say.

“Yes,” she answers, her cheeks crimson.

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