Page 46 of Shackled By the Mafia Boss

“I can help you find out everything you need to know about him.”

She smiles faintly, a glint of gratitude in her eyes. “Thanks, but I don't want to drag you into this mess seeing how my colleagues are on your case. I’ll do my own investigating.”

“You got this,mi amore,” I assure her, placing my hand over hers on the countertop.

Her gaze softens, a small smile forming on her lips. “Thanks, Marcus. I appreciate it. Talking to you makes me feel better.”

We sit in silence for a moment, sipping our drinks.

Jane yawns, stretching her arms up. “I’m so fucking exhausted.”

“Mind if I join you?” It’s unlike me to ask for permission for anything, but with Jane, I want to be the gentlest I can be. I want to cage the darkness inside me whenever I’m around her.

She narrows her eyes, giving me a suspicious look. “Promise you’re only going to hold me.”

Her hair falls over her face and I reach out to tuck it behind her ear. The tip of my finger brushes against her skin, sparking electricity to life between us and working its way down to my chest, making it flutter.

I want to be the best I can around Jane.

I want to make her life better, easier.

I want to make her happy.

She agrees, tossing our empty cans into the wastebin. “Keep your promise.” We walk to her bedroom. It’s small and minimalist. She has only a queen-sized bed, two bedside tables with lamps and a small sofa across from the bed. The neutral colors are broken only by black bookshelves.

Everything is well arranged and neat.

Jane climbs in the bed. I remove my shoes and join her, wrapping my arm around her waist and pressing my body to her back.

“Marcus?” She calls my name in a voice barely above a whisper.

I wrap my arm around her a little tighter. She smells so good and her body is so warm and soft. “Yeah?”

“I don’t know what is going on, but I don’t want you to get in trouble because of this case.” She rolls over, tilting her face up. Her eyes bore into mine. “Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”

“I never do anything stupid,mi amore.”

She shakes her head. “I know this involves the mafia. I’ve seen and heard how brutal it can get. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I squint my eyes. I can’t believe she’s worrying about me right now. “Are you worrying about me,amor?”

“Can’t I?”

“Of course, you can.” It’s just…it feels strange because no one has ever worried about me getting hurt. Jane is the first, and it makes my heart race.

My mind goes back and I suddenly don’t know what to say or do to make her feel better. All I can say is, “Don’t worry about me,mi amore. I’m not an easy man to kill.”

I’m the one who should be worrying about her. She’s putting her job on the line and her life at risk to solve this case.At first, I’d thought it was just because she was determined to be a good cop, but now it’s different. She’s doing this to help me.

“Leave the worrying to me, Jane. I’ll make sure all of this is over soon.” I haven’t had a moment of peace since she received the threatening message. Whoever the fucking coward behind the text was, I’m certain he’ll make a move.

I have to protect her.

Jane falls asleep and I spend a moment watching her, taking in how beautiful and peaceful she is when she sleeps. Her thick, dark lashes cast shadows beneath her eyes.

My chest flutters just watching her and something in me feels different. I want to protect and take care of this woman with everything I have. It’s something I haven’t felt before.

When she’s deep asleep, I cover her with the white comforter before I gently slip from the bed, careful not to wake her up.

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