✍︎ 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐇 𝐌𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐃 [dark mafia romance] | 𝟏𝟖+

| 28 | 𝐁𝐄𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐄𝐍𝐃

I was awakened by muffled voices and shouting in the corridor. I opened my eyes, but the periphery of my vision was engulfed in complete darkness.

It must be in the middle of the night.

I raised my head slightly in bed, trying to listen to the voices outside. They didn't even try to speak quietly.

I was sure I heard male voices, but one of them cut through my body pleasantly.

And I didn't like it.

Could it be that even his voice attracts me?

It seemed one voice started to move away down the corridor, but I saw a shadow fidgeting through the gap in the door. I swallowed hard and brushed back my disheveled hair.

Then there was a quiet knock. I took a deep breath, waiting for the next move.

Whoever was behind the door didn't wait for my response; he just burst into the room.

His black disheveled hair stuck up on his head. The lapels of his suit were rumpled, and the top buttons of his shirt were undone. Those few buttons allowed me to secretly glimpse at his muscular chest.

He rolled up his sleeves, observing my reaction.

Leonardo entered the room without any sense of privacy and ran his fingers over his chin.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine," I mumbled, sitting up in bed.

He cleared his throat and came closer. Then he leaned against the foot of the bed. I pulled the blanket up to cover myself.

"Did I wake you up?"

I shook my head. I didn't want to lie to him, but I had to if I wanted to look at him naturally for at least a minute longer.

"Well, then, that's good," he murmured, hiding a smile that appeared on his face.

I tried not to stare at Leonardo, but it became increasingly difficult.

"I just wanted to check on how you're doing. If you're settling in well."

"Everything is fine," I smiled foolishly, turning my eyes away.

I was still clutching the blanket to my body. Leonardo licked his lips, making it impossible to take my eyes off this gesture.

He tried to lean in closer but quickly stopped trying. The man's hands, covered with tattoo contours and protruding veins, were too alluring.

I licked my lips, trying to avoid the gaze and proximity of Leonardo.

He smiled and straightened up, still holding his hands on the edge of the bed.

"Well then, I'll leave you to sleep. Good night, kitten."

I frowned – since when has he been using this nickname more frequently?