Page 39 of Made to Sin

My guess was proven to be correct when Luciano made an appearance by the door minutes later, shedding light into the dim wall behind him.

He gave me a lazy once-over in acknowledgment. “What do you want, Katarina?”

Did nobody appreciate a greeting?

“Good afternoon to you too. I’m doing fine, thanks for asking.” He gave me one of the side eye-rolls men love so much, not interested in returning the cheer. Seeing Luciano annoyedmade me beam, but I quickly sobered when I remembered why I was here. “I need to talk to you.”

“I’m busy.”

I didn’t care if he was in the middle of having a big, bad mafia crisis or what, I was getting my answers. Before he had a chance to shut the door on me, I pushed past his large frame to get inside. He budged less than a fraction of an inch, but I knew he was willing to move because it was enough for me to narrowly squeeze through.

I willed myself to remain unfazed at the contact my side made with his chest, but it was almost impossible. He was uncannily warm, the fire seeping into my veins until I felt him deep in my bones. The touch had made me involuntarily squirmish.

God, why was I acting like this? He was just a man, and men could never be that great anyway.

The door closed behind him, engulfing us in the demanding darkness and persistent shadows that loved to surround him. Like a coward, I kept walking out toward the main room where I saw a sole hanging light turned on by the bar.

During the daytime when the neon colors and loud music were off, I understood why most Made Men enjoyed working at the club over their stuffy home offices. At the club, it was peaceful with a stockpile of liquor within arm’s reach.

Luciano was one of them as a stack of papers and manila folders messily waited for him to return. Sorry papers, it was my turn for his attention now.

I sat on the leather stool and waited for him to follow suit. My hands grew clammy at the sight of him coming closer like a predator stalking his prey. I blamed it on the unfairness that he looked like a male model and not the dirty criminal he really was.

The plan was to ask him some questions and get out as fast as I could. Yet when his attention was all mine, I became a blushing teenager at a loss for words.

Recklessly, I spewed the first thing that came to mind. “Why is it so dark in here? Are the electricity bills too expensive for you?”

He didn’t entertain me, leaning against the bar with his arms crossed. “What do you want, Katarina?”

I didn’t waste any more time. The sooner this conversation was over, the sooner I got to leave. “Did you take me to Marco’s estate yesterday?”

“Yes.”

Though it was a curt response, the confirmation brought forth a weird feeling in my stomach. I trusted Maria, but hearing it from his mouth cemented the severity.

“When and where did you find me?”

I remained broad, trying not to give any indication I was doing something I wasn’t supposed to. For all I knew, I could have ended up with the bouncers at the end of the night, and they told him I was there.

His eyes scanned my face like he was deciphering my motives. “What’s with the questions?”

I focused on upholding a blank face, slightly irritated at how easy it was for him to read me. “Just answer it.”

His eyes darted between mine. “After you passed out on the dance floor.”

Merda, if I passed out on the dance floor and he saw it, he probably saw bits and pieces of my explicit dancing.

I bit my bottom lip to hide the fear that was threatening to show. “Did you happen to see the hypothetical guy I was with?”

“Yes.”

His answer gave nothing away.

I narrowed my eyes. “What did you hypothetically do to him?”

A cold look flashed in his eyes as he stared directly into mine. “I killed him.”

My heart skipped a beat as the stark words registered. And then another. And then another.

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