Better In Your Arms (Parisian Mafia 2#)

4

Chapter 4: A Dangerous Attraction

Days passed, and Amari found herself torn between the life she had known and the allure of the unknown. Lawrence had planted a seed of doubt in her heart, one that was quickly growing. She had tried to distance herself from him, to bury herself in work and the routine of her normal life. But no matter how hard she tried, Lawrence's confession echoed in her mind.

The fact that he was the heir to the Stuart family—one of the most powerful mafia families in Paris—terrified her. But even more terrifying was the realization that, despite everything, she couldn’t stop thinking about him.

One evening, after closing the café, Amari stood on the sidewalk, staring up at the Parisian sky. The stars twinkled above, indifferent to the turmoil brewing inside her. She heard the low hum of a car approaching and turned to see a sleek black car pull up in front of her.

Lawrence stepped out.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. He looked just as effortlessly handsome as always, but there was something different about him tonight—an air of urgency.

"Amari," he said, walking toward her, his gaze intense. "We need to talk."

She crossed her arms, trying to keep her emotions in check. "I told you, Lawrence. I need time to think. This... us, it's too complicated."

"I know," he replied, his voice softer now. "And I respect that. But there’s something I need to tell you. It's important."

Amari studied his face, searching for answers. "What is it?"

"There’s been a shift in power," Lawrence began, his expression grim. "The Montemayors, one of our rival families, are making moves. They’ve been quiet for a while, but now they're coming back stronger. There’s a chance they’ll target anyone connected to me... including you."

Fear gripped Amari's chest. She hadn’t realized how serious the situation was. "Are you saying I’m in danger?"

Lawrence nodded, stepping closer to her, his voice firm. "I’m saying you need to be careful. They’ll come after you if they think you mean something to me."

"Do I mean something to you?" The words slipped out before she could stop them. She hadn’t intended to ask, but the vulnerability in her voice betrayed her.

Lawrence's gaze softened, and for a moment, the cold, dangerous man she knew disappeared. "More than I ever expected."

Amari’s breath caught in her throat. She hadn’t been prepared for that answer, but hearing it felt like both a blessing and a curse. Being with Lawrence meant stepping into a world she didn’t understand—a world where violence and power dictated every move.

"And now you’re in this with me," Lawrence continued. "I’m sorry. I never wanted to drag you into my mess."

Amari shook her head, struggling to process everything. "I just... I don’t know if I can handle this, Lawrence. I didn’t ask for any of this."

"I know," he said, his voice low. "But I won’t let anything happen to you. I swear it."

Despite the danger, despite her fear, something inside Amari believed him. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the way he was torn between protecting her and keeping her close.

"I don’t want you to get hurt because of me," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I won’t let that happen," Lawrence replied, his hand reaching for hers. "But I need you to trust me, Amari."

Her hand trembled in his, the weight of his words settling over her like a heavy blanket. Could she trust him? Could she really put her life in the hands of a man who lived in a world of crime and secrets?

"Do you want me to leave you alone?" Lawrence asked, his voice soft but edged with pain.

Amari hesitated. Her head was screaming at her to say yes—to walk away from this before it consumed her. But her heart, stubborn as it was, wasn’t ready to let go.

"I don’t know," she finally admitted, her voice cracking. "But I don’t want you to leave."

For the first time, Lawrence allowed himself a small smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes but was filled with relief nonetheless. "Then let me protect you."

---

The following days were tense. Lawrence had arranged for someone to keep an eye on Amari, a discreet bodyguard who followed her from a distance. She didn’t like the idea of being watched, but given the circumstances, she didn’t argue.

Meanwhile, the tension between the Stuart and Montemayor families was escalating. Lawrence spent long nights handling business, barely getting any sleep. He couldn’t afford to be distracted by personal matters, but every moment he spent away from Amari weighed heavily on him.

One night, after another exhausting day of dealing with threats and negotiations, Lawrence sat in his office, nursing a glass of whiskey. The lights were dim, casting shadows over the room. His phone buzzed on the desk.

It was Amari.

"Can you come over?" her voice was soft, almost hesitant.

Lawrence's heart leapt. He hadn’t expected her to reach out. He had tried to give her space, knowing how overwhelming everything must be for her. But the fact that she was asking for him now sent a wave of relief through him.

"I’ll be there soon," he replied, grabbing his jacket.

---

When he arrived at Amari’s apartment, she opened the door quietly, her expression unreadable. Lawrence stepped inside, closing the door behind him. The tension in the air was palpable.

"I’m sorry for calling you so late," Amari said, not meeting his eyes.

"Don’t apologize," Lawrence replied, his voice gentle. "I’m glad you called."

She looked up at him then, her eyes filled with a mixture of emotions—fear, confusion, and something else. Something deeper.

"I don’t know what I’m doing," Amari admitted, her voice trembling. "Everything about this... about you... scares me."

Lawrence reached out, gently brushing his fingers against her cheek. "I know. And I don’t want to put you through this. But I can’t pretend that I don’t feel something for you."

Amari’s breath hitched at his words. For a moment, they stood there, the weight of their feelings hanging between them. Then, without warning, she closed the distance between them, pressing her lips against his.

The kiss was soft at first, hesitant. But then it deepened, fueled by the emotions they had been holding back for so long. Lawrence wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close as if he could shield her from the dangers of his world.

For a brief moment, all the chaos and danger faded away, and it was just the two of them, lost in each other.

---