Better In Your Arms (Parisian Mafia 2#)

2

Chapter 2: Unveiling Secrets

Amari woke the next morning with a strange weight in her chest, as though something had shifted in the fabric of her life. The encounter with Lawrence had unsettled her more than she wanted to admit. She had always been good at reading people, but with him, it was like looking into a void. The man was a mystery, and mysteries were dangerous.

She shook off the feeling and tried to go about her day as usual, but her thoughts kept drifting back to him. Why had he asked if she lived nearby? And why did his presence stir something inside her—something that felt both exhilarating and dangerous?

---

Meanwhile, across town, Lawrence sat in his office, his mind preoccupied with his family’s business. His sister, Sabrina, and her husband, Justine, had successfully brokered peace between the Stuart and Monteverde clans, but that didn’t mean the world was safe. There were always threats—rival families, old enemies, and ambitious criminals looking to make a name for themselves.

Today, his father had scheduled a meeting with a potential ally, someone who could help them strengthen their position in Paris. But Lawrence wasn’t in the mood for diplomacy. His thoughts kept returning to Amari, the girl who seemed so innocent, so removed from the chaos of his world.

He had tried to push her from his mind, but it wasn’t working. Something about her intrigued him in a way he hadn’t expected. And Lawrence wasn’t used to losing control, especially when it came to women.

His father, Alexander Stuart, entered the room, pulling him out of his thoughts. The elder Stuart was a powerful man, one who had built an empire from the ground up and ruled it with an iron fist. He was ruthless, calculating, and expected the same from his children.

“Lawrence,” Alexander greeted him, his sharp eyes narrowing. “You’re distracted. That’s unlike you.”

Lawrence straightened in his chair, shaking off the thoughts of Amari. “Just thinking ahead. What’s the meeting about today?”

“A potential alliance,” Alexander replied. “The Monteverde situation may have been resolved, but there are still threats from other factions. We need to make sure we have enough power to crush anyone who tries to challenge us.”

Lawrence nodded, though his mind was elsewhere. He had grown up in this world, learning from a young age that power was everything. But lately, he was starting to question what that power had cost him.

The meeting went as expected, with his father handling the negotiations and Lawrence playing his part as the stoic heir. But when it was over, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was missing in his life. And for some reason, he kept thinking that Amari was the answer.

---

That evening, Amari decided to take a walk again, hoping to clear her head. She wandered through the familiar streets, the evening lights of Paris casting a warm glow over the city. She didn’t expect to see Lawrence again, but as fate would have it, their paths crossed once more.

She was walking along the Seine, admiring the view of the river when she heard his voice behind her.

“Amari.”

She turned, surprised to see him standing there. “Lawrence,” she said, her voice soft. “What are you doing here?”

“I was just passing by,” he lied smoothly, though in truth, he had been hoping to run into her. There was something about her that pulled him in, like gravity.

Amari smiled, though there was a hint of wariness in her eyes. “It seems we keep meeting like this.”

“Maybe it’s fate,” he replied with a smirk, though he didn’t believe in such things. He didn’t believe in coincidences, either, but here they were.

They walked together along the riverbank, making small talk about the city, their favorite places, and the people who lived there. Lawrence was careful not to reveal too much about himself, but he found himself genuinely enjoying her company. There was something refreshing about being with someone who didn’t know his world, who didn’t fear him or expect anything from him.

For Amari, the evening felt surreal. She knew there was more to Lawrence than he was letting on, but for now, she chose to enjoy the moment. His charm was undeniable, and despite the warning bells in her head, she felt drawn to him.

As they reached a small bridge overlooking the Seine, Lawrence turned to face her, his expression serious. “Amari, I have to ask you something.”

She looked up at him, her heart racing. “What is it?”

“Do you trust me?”

The question caught her off guard. Trust? She barely knew him. But something in his eyes made her want to say yes.

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But I feel like I should.”

Lawrence smiled, though it was tinged with sadness. “You shouldn’t,” he said softly. “Not yet.”

Before Amari could respond, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, his expression darkening. “I have to go,” he said abruptly.

Amari frowned, feeling the sudden shift in his demeanor. “Is everything alright?”

“Just business,” he replied, his voice distant. “I’ll see you soon.”

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving Amari standing there, confused and intrigued. She watched him disappear into the night, wondering what kind of man he really was.

---

Back in his car, Lawrence answered the call, his mood shifting from calm to cold in an instant.

“What is it?” he demanded.

“We’ve got a problem,” came the voice on the other end. “There’s been some movement from one of the rival families. We think they’re planning something big.”

Lawrence clenched his jaw. “Handle it. I don’t want this to escalate.”

“We’ll try, but you might want to be prepared. This could get ugly.”

Lawrence hung up, his mind racing. He had spent years building his reputation, protecting his family’s empire. But now, with Amari in the picture, things were starting to get complicated. And in his world, complications were dangerous.

As he drove off into the night, one thought consumed him: He couldn’t afford to let her get too close. Because if she did, she would become a target.

And in his world, there were no guarantees of safety—especially not for the ones you cared about.

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