"You like it, don't you?"
"What?" I managed to breathe.
"The fear, Miss Night," he mused, "you crave it."
_______________________________________
Sabina Night owes Antonio Marafi her life.
But when he asks her to spy on the Russo crime family, Sabin...
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Gio's velvety voice elicited a strange reaction from me— as if my whole body sighed the moment Roman turned his attention away from me and to the well-dressed man standing beside me. Gio's hand on my shoulder replaced Roman's one on my thigh. My hand drifted to cover Gio's with my own.
Both men stared at that hand, but Gio's gaze remained fixed on Roman.
"Roman, have you met Giovanni Russo?" I smiled sweetly.
Marafi seemed to expand in his chair in an effort to physically take up the same amount of space that Gio could with just his presence. Still, Gio barely paid him any mind. Not while Roman was still sitting close to me.
Not one to tolerate being ignored, Marafi stood with a deceptively cheerful smile.
"Mr. Russo, a pleasure to see you again," he mused, holding a hand out to shake.
Roman finally shifted his chair back to its proper position and Gio's gaze finally drifted to Marafi.
"Is it?"
He merely arched a brow at the outstretched hand, long enough that Marafi awkwardly lowered it. Gio's fingertips drifted along my collarbone, his thumb stroking the back of my neck. I wondered if either of them understood what that small movement meant for the other.
"I see you've been enjoying my employee," Marafi commented snidely, drinking from his cup. "Be grateful for my training."
His words broke the careful composure that I had almost perfected. I winced. There was only one way that Gio would take that statement, and that was exactly how Marafi intended it.
Gio's eyes narrowed. "Miss Night has proven to be quite capable. In fact, I believe she is the only part of our contract that you have performed on thus far, yes? We are still waiting for your financing—"
Marafi's eyes flashed, the only sign of his anger at Gio's response. It was there only for a moment before it disappeared back into his easy smile.
"Well we can discuss business another time. Perhaps we should find our seats before the fight starts. Good to see you both."
The brunette stood as if being called and Marafi led her away. Roman glanced at Gio, made sure he was watching, and winked at me once more before departing with them. I wondered what kind of expression Gio was wearing while watching the three of them leave, but I was afraid to turn and look.
He took his seat beside me silently, and the absence of his touch was a notable emptiness. His hands were busy being curled into fists on his lap.
"What were you talking to him about before I returned?" Gio demanded.
I knew this was a possibility, knew that at some point I would have to explain away Marafi and my connection to him. What I didn't realize, however, was that Marafi would be the one to put me in that position. Fortunately, because I was prepared for this line of questions, my expression remained calm but feigned confusion at why Gio's tone suddenly had an edge to it.
