Page 7 of My Mafia Queen

It so much is.

My attraction to him is so intense it becomes my fate.

This is it.

This is the moment that will change my life.

I’m teetering on the edge, trying to stop myself from falling for him.

How can I do it any other way? How? And who would do it? Who would stop themselves from desiring this man?

Still, I’m trying to keep my head straight and do the right thing.

“It’s not what I’m afraid of,” I murmur.

My voice is so quiet he dips his gaze to read my lips.

“What are you afraid of then?”

“I can’t say. That doesn’t mean I’ll stay. You know I can’t stay, so maybe this isn’t a good idea after all. As you have already said.”

My heart breaks as I say those words, and he just stares at me as we both know this is a pivotal moment for us.

My body screams for him, but my mind says no.

I will regret this in the morning, and it won’t be because I’ve lost my V-card, but because I won’t be able to pretend my life is all right after that.

And he won’t have the absolute control over me that he wants.

I can’t give that to him, and he can’t ask that of me.

“I’m leaving now,” I say, and kiss him softly while he seems carved out of stone.

His hand slides off while I roll to the other side, push to my feet, and head to the exit with my heart heavy and my legs shaky.

My mind is in a fog, and my chest is tight.

This isn’t what I’ve planned. Not leaving so soon, I mean, and making this conversation our most cherished to date and, at the same time, our last memory together.

“I’ll drive you back,” he says.

I spin around, and he’s already behind me, checking his pocket for his keys and texting instructions to his people.

It’s the first time I've seen him use a cell phone since I came here.

“You can’t put the money in the bank, or you’ll face a heap of problems,” he says, still texting.

He finishes and lifts his gaze.

“You don’t have to come with me,” I say.

“I want to. You might not be safe out there.”

I don’t question the truthfulness of his words.

He’s probably right.

He knows more than I do.

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