Craving the Mafia Prince

Chapter Twelve | Hearts in the Crossfire

I was perched on a stool at the bar, nursing my drink, trying to look casual, but my gaze was glued to the scene unfolding across the room.

Conrad, with his trademark dark hair and that effortlessly charming smile, stood talking to a girl. She was cute—too cute. I watched as he leaned in, his hand moving in that way he did when he was really engaged in a conversation. Then, without warning, he pulled her by the wrist, his fingers wrapping around her like a vice grip.

"Look at him, all suave and debonair," I muttered to Elise, who sat beside me. My heart felt like it was doing a tango while my stomach was tied in knots.

"Relax! They're just talking," Elise replied, a smirk creeping onto her face.

"Talking? It looks like he's about to take her to the moon," I shot back, my jealousy bubbling like an over-shaken can of Fanta.

Just then, Valerie sauntered over, plopping herself down next to me. "What are we talking about?"

"Thea falling for Conrad," Elise said, hiding her face with a glass of wine. I shot a glare at her, surprised at her blunt comment. In the two hours that I had known her, I had quickly come to realize that she was very outspoken and confident. Unlike me, it was easy for her to blend into this substantial crowd. Child's play.

"Not even close," I lied, downing the rest of my drink in the hopes of getting distracted from the handsome man. Despite my various efforts, my eyes kept bouncing back to the pair conversing in the hallway.

I was jealous as fuck.

"I wouldn't bet on it," Valerie said, ordering another drink as she set her empty glass down. I was very impressed by her tolerance levels. This was her fourth drink, yet she managed to sit herself straight and steady. I would've been an absolute mess after a second shot.

"It's not like that," I explained, continuing my unbothered facade. "He's... just a friend."

It was unlike me to hesitate. We'd had our moments—the tension crackling between us like a live wire. That cat-and-mouse game in the boutique made me second-guess the vow of celibacy I had taken years ago, a promise to myself until I could finally land on my feet.

"Good for you. As long as you don't get feelings involved, you'll be fine," Elise said, bumping my shoulder with hers and taking another sip of her wine. I watched keenly as the wine swirled in her glass, embodying the tornado in my chest.

"What do you mean?" I asked, curious. By now, I had entirely focused my attention on the girls, desperately wanting their input on my 'situation.' They were the closest thing to Leah at the moment, the only judgment I could trust.

"Well, it's no secret that Skye's approval is the ultimate sanction for Conrad to settle down," Elise said.

"She's right. It's not the first time she's chased someone away from his life, especially if that someone works for her," Valerie agreed, tucking her perfectly styled hair behind her multi-pierced ear. Her earrings dazzled under the light, shining like diamonds.