Page 31 of Shackled By the Mafia Boss

The guys in the police force train at least three times a week. Taylor takes it a step further and does six and I’ve seen him shirtless a couple of times, but he doesn’t hold a candle to Marcus.

And my body doesn’t react to Taylor’s bare chest and torso the way it does with Marcus.

Despite knowing the dangers of being associated with this man, I can't deny the attraction, the pull I feel towards him, and last night sealed the deal.

I don’t know if I see him as anything more than a guy with a handsome face, a hot body and a dick I’d die to feel inside me once again. It's a complicated mix of emotions— the duty to see justice done for my father's death and this inexplicable connection I share with Marcus who may be associated with his killer.

“So, what's your preference today, Detective?” Marcus grins, tossing me a playful wink as he throws on his suit jacket.

“Hmm, surprise me," I reply, trying to keep things light despite being partly offended at his dismissive attitude.

I stand. I’m still naked and the way his eyes caress my body makes me even more self-conscious than I ought to be. He’s looking at me like a starved man, ready to eat the food before him, which I don’t mind to be honest.

Last night was mind-blowing, I can only imagine what having sex with Marcus again would be like.

“I’ll get changed then we can go grab breakfast.”

He nods his head and I scurry off to my bedroom. It’s almost lifeless in here. White walls, white bedside tables at either side of my beige-colored bed. The only color here is the large bookshelf which spreads from one end of the wall to another. I haven’t been diagnosed with OCD, but each book is arranged according to color and genre.

Despite being a detective, crime isn’t my go-to genre. I’d rather read cheesy contemporary romance that makes my toes curl. It’s the only respite I have from the pain that splinters through me with each breath I take.

The pain of losing my father.

Minutes later, my hair is slicked back, the strands draping down my back. I’m wearing acid wash cargo jeans and a white sweater. I spray perfume and put on strawberry lip-gloss before I return to the living room.

Marcus looks up from his phone when I enter. He doesn’t smile, but there’s a gleam in his eyes. “Ready?”

I nod. “Ready.”

We head out into the brisk morning air, the city slowly coming to life. Marcus leads the way, his confident stride matching his casual demeanor. The soft breeze ruffles his neatly cut mane. He looks like a runway model the way he squints his eyes to keep the breeze out.

Despite the conflicting emotions swirling within me, I can't deny that these fleeting moments with Marcus are the sweetest I’ve had in a long time. When I’m with him, everything else ceases to exist and I’m completely at peace.

“Here we are,” Marcus announces, gesturing towards a cozy breakfast joint. The smell of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries wafts through the air, momentarily distracting me from my complex emotions.

A good breakfast is all I need to lighten my mood.

We take a table close to the window. A barista walks up and I order a latte and two croissants. Marcus orders the same thing as I do and the barista leaves to prepare our order.

“So,amore. Tell me about yourself.”

I fold my arms and rest back in my seat. “Why?”

“I’m curious.”

“You already know my name and that I am a detective. You also know I have a sister and a best friend. What else would you like to know?”

“Why did you choose to become a detective?”

I chew the inside of my cheek. It doesn’t matter that Marcus and I had explosive sex last night. He’s still a bad guy and I’m a cop. I have to be careful not to give too much away. I shrug. “I grew up wanting to put cuffs on guys like you.”

He chuckles, putting a hand over his mouth. “You’re cute, you know that?”

My cheeks heat and I struggle to breathe. “Stop that.”

He leans forward. He smells like musk and cinnamon. “Stop what?”

“Teasing me. You’re making me blush.”

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