Page 6 of Unbroken (Russo Mafia)

I kick Scar under the table. She lets out a yelp. What happened to chicks before dicks?

“Scarlett, don’t you have some boys to go chase or something?” he asked.

She lets out a huff then gathers her items up, gets up and walks away. I can’t help but watch her leave. I can’t believe she listened to him. He walks around the table and takes her empty seat. Narrowing my eyes.

“Seriously, now you’re chasing my friend away from me,” I said through my teeth.

He drums his fingers on the table; he doesn’t look like he can give a shit. “She’ll get over it. I’m sure you will too. You look like you have something to say to me?”

That’s a fucking understatement. You ghost me, then ask me what’s on my mind. He sure has the balls.

“I’m trying my hardest to understand what I seen that night with you. It’s been playing over my head for the last three weeks. Then I never heard from you again. It’s like you never wanted anything to do with me.”

He stands, reaching his hand out for me. “I never meant to. I’ve been under so much stress, I’ll explain it. Not here, though, to many ears.”

I only hesitate for a second before taking his hand. Leaving the cafeteria, a few classmates watch us. We end up in the parking lot heading towards his car. He’s still holding my hand. Every time I try to take it out of his grasp, he tightens his hold. He’s practically dragging me at this point. My hand trembles, my nerves are running high.

Lucca opens the passenger door for me. “You trust me, right?”

Do I? I look into his eyes. I don’t see anything that says he would hurt me. I go with my gut instinct on this one.

“I do. I don’t know if I should.”

“Understandable. With me you can.”

I climb into his car; I watch as he rounds the front of the car. With so much confidence that screams, you can’t touch me. The moment he sits he talks.

“I need to get this out. I’m sorry for everything I’ve caused. It wasn’t my intention when I first talked to you. I do like you. What I’m about to tell you can change everything, and I understand if you choose to never talk to me again.” His eyes roam over my face; he takes a deep breath. “The reason for what you had seen in the club that night is because I belong to Cosa Nostra, the mafia.”

I stare out the windshield. A flock of birds rise and fly away all at once over the school. I can almost feel their wings flapping in my chest. Jesus, in the fucking mafia. I shoot a glance from the corner of my eye; he’s looking back at me. Hands clenching on his thighs. Chancing it. I look at him.

“How is that even possible?”

The tip of his tongue run between his lips. “I’m not sure if your dad has ever mentioned the Russo mafia.” He looks at me. I shake my head. “Figured so. My dad is the Don of the Russo mafia. I’m amade menand the shit that went down in the club is what I have to deal with. I’ll eventually take over one day.”

“Wow,” I whisper, “I wasn’t expecting this. I assumed you were involved with an organization I wasn’t sure which, but the fucking mafia!” I rub my temples.

He cringes. “I’m fine if you never want to talk to me again. Your dad was right for never bringing up my family. We’re dangerous, but I promise to always protect you.”

His eyes grow dark when he mentions how he’ll protect me. I lick my lips a sudden ache and want hitting me. My body doesn’t care that he’s dangerous, it wants him either way. My heart is telling me to hold back talk things through and take things slow. I don’t give a fuck right now. We reach for each other at the same time. Our lips crash together. I let out a moan when his hand runs under my shirt. His lips move down my jaw, working towards my ear.

“Charlie, you’re so beautiful,” he whispered.

He kisses down my neck. I run my hands down the front of his shirt towards his jeans. He groans, then pulls away.

“We shouldn’t do this in the school parking lot.”

I close my eyes and tuck my head into his neck. “Probably not,” I mumble.

He rubs my back. “We should head to class. Wanna grab supper later?”

“I’ll let my Dad know I made plans, so he doesn’t make us supper.”

I don’t know if I can keep this from my dad. He’s going to find out eventually, and it’s going to break his heart. I hate keeping secrets and my dad can read me like a book. Couple of months I can do this and then I’ll be moved out making it easier. Lucca can visit me when I move, and Dad won’t know.

I couldn’t wait until the end of the day. I was practically wiggling in my seat. I’m sure Scarlett knew something was up after I came back in. I quickly dodged her questions making it to my class. I let Dad know I wouldn’t be eating supper that I was going to hang out with Scar, add another lie to the table. I’ll never win the daughter of the year at this rate. When the bell rang, I rushed out of there like a bat out of hell.

Pulling into the driveway, I release the breath I was holding. I still can’t get over the fact that Lucca is part of the mafia. Blows my mind. Can I trust him enough, especially with my dad being a detective and all? Is he only doing this to use me to get to my dad? He seemed genuine then again. I wasn’t expecting this news either. I don’t want to be some naïve teenager, but I didn’t think the mafia was a thing these days. Was I never paying attention to anything in the news or was Dad simply never telling me what went on anymore? I wish he would then. This wouldn’t be a shock to the system. Grabbing my bag, I get out of my car and make it to the front door. Placing my mask back on, I try to act normal.

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