Better In Your Arms (Parisian Mafia 2#)

1

Amari Islah Mendoza loved the quiet mornings in her small Parisian apartment. The gentle hum of the city waking up outside her window always filled her with a sense of peace. She brewed her morning coffee, its aroma mixing with the scent of fresh pastries from the bakery below. This was her sanctuary, far from the noise and chaos of the world outside.

She took her cup and stepped out onto her balcony, allowing the cool breeze to brush against her skin. As she looked down at the street, she noticed a sleek black car pull up. It wasn’t unusual for fancy cars to pass by in this part of Paris, but this one was different. Its windows were tinted dark, and something about it made her feel uneasy.

A tall man stepped out of the car. He was dressed sharply, his suit tailored perfectly to his athletic build. His presence commanded attention, and despite the crowd moving along the sidewalk, people gave him a wide berth. He looked up, his dark eyes locking with Amari’s for a brief moment. Her breath hitched, and she quickly looked away, suddenly aware of the racing in her chest.

Lawrence Edward Stuart didn’t believe in coincidences. In his world, everything was calculated—each move, each step forward, was part of a larger plan. But when his gaze met hers, something shifted. She was beautiful, but that wasn’t what caught his attention. It was her innocence. In a city filled with people trying to survive, she seemed untouched by the darkness he knew too well.

He made his way into the café next door, where his associate was waiting. As he walked past her building, he couldn’t resist glancing up at the balcony again. She was still there, her eyes now focused on the sky, oblivious to the storm brewing around her.

Inside the café, Lawrence sat down, his mind still lingering on the woman from the balcony. His associate, Richard, noticed his distraction and leaned forward. “You seem off today. Something wrong?” he asked, his voice low but steady.

Lawrence shook his head. “Nothing that concerns you. Let’s get to business.”

As they discussed the recent activities of the rival clans, Lawrence kept his guard up. His father’s organization, the Stuart mafia, was always under threat, despite the supposed peace that came from his sister Sabrina’s marriage to Justine Monteverde. There were still enemies lurking, families seeking revenge, and ambitious players wanting to take them down.

After the meeting, Lawrence left the café, his mind focused on the task ahead. He was scheduled to meet with a group of allies later that evening, but his thoughts kept drifting back to the woman on the balcony. He wasn’t the kind of man to get distracted easily, but something about her was pulling him in.

---

That evening, Amari decided to take a walk around the neighborhood. She loved how alive Paris felt at night—the lights, the people, the soft hum of conversation. As she wandered down the narrow streets, she found herself thinking about the man from earlier. There was something captivating about him, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was. Maybe it was the way he carried himself—so confident, almost dangerous.

She had no idea how right she was.

Lost in thought, she turned the corner and suddenly collided with someone. Strong hands gripped her shoulders to steady her, and she looked up, her heart stopping when she realized it was him.

“I’m sorry,” she stammered, stepping back quickly. “I wasn’t paying attention.”

Lawrence gave her a small smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “No harm done,” he replied, his voice smooth and deep. “Are you alright?”

Amari nodded, though she couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. There was something intense about his presence, like he was a man with secrets—dangerous ones.

As she turned to leave, he called out to her. “Do you live around here?”

Amari hesitated. She didn’t know why, but something made her answer honestly. “Yes, just a few blocks from here.”

Lawrence nodded, though he already knew. He had seen her that morning on her balcony, the moment still fresh in his mind. “I’m Lawrence, by the way.”

“Amari,” she replied softly.

The brief exchange left her feeling strange, as if she had crossed an invisible line she didn’t even know existed. As she walked away, she could feel his gaze following her, and for the first time, she wondered if her peaceful life was about to change forever.

---

Back in his car, Lawrence watched her until she disappeared into the crowd. He had spent years perfecting the art of control—controlling his emotions, his actions, and the world around him. But something about Amari was unsettling. She wasn’t like the women he usually encountered, those who knew who he was and what he could do. She didn’t seem to fear him, but maybe that was because she didn’t know him yet.

As he drove away, he couldn’t shake the feeling that meeting her wasn’t a coincidence. And as much as he tried to push the thought away, he couldn’t help but wonder how long her innocence would last once she discovered who he truly was.

Because in his world, there were no happy endings—just chaos, betrayal, and survival.

And now, Amari was part of it, whether she knew it or not.