Better In Your Arms (Parisian Mafia 2#)

6

Chapter 6: Beneath the Surface

The safe house Lawrence brought Amari to was nothing like she expected. Tucked away in a remote part of the countryside, it was an expansive estate surrounded by tall trees, hidden from prying eyes. The building had all the luxuries of a mansion, but it was equipped like a fortress. Security cameras dotted the perimeter, and armed guards patrolled the grounds.

"This place is insane," Amari whispered as they entered the grand hall, her eyes sweeping over the lavish interior.

"It’s necessary," Lawrence replied, his voice tight. He hadn’t relaxed since they left Paris. His posture remained tense, his eyes scanning every corner as if expecting danger to jump out at any moment. "We’ll be safe here for a while. But we can’t stay hidden forever."

Amari shivered at the cold reality of his words. She wasn’t used to this life of constant fear. Yet, here she was, in the midst of a mafia war she never wanted to be part of. She looked over at Lawrence, whose stern face was filled with shadows of worry. He hadn’t chosen this life either, but he was born into it, forced to become someone ruthless.

"You didn’t have to do this, you know," Amari said, her voice soft as they walked down a long corridor toward the living area. "You could’ve left me out of it."

Lawrence paused, turning to face her. His eyes softened for a brief moment, the mask of the mafia heir slipping. "I couldn’t leave you. I’m not that strong."

Amari’s breath hitched, and before she could respond, Lawrence placed a hand on her shoulder. His touch was firm, but there was a gentleness beneath it. "I’ll keep you safe, Amari. No matter what happens."

They walked in silence to the living room, where Lawrence’s men were stationed. Alexander was already there, setting up some equipment and coordinating with the guards outside. He looked up as Lawrence and Amari entered.

"We’ve increased the surveillance around the perimeter," Alexander said, glancing at Lawrence. "But we’ve received intel that the Montemayors might be working with another clan—an outsider group looking to gain influence in Paris."

"Who?" Lawrence asked, his voice sharp.

Alexander sighed. "We’re not sure yet, but whoever they are, they have resources. Enough to make a real dent in our defenses."

Amari’s heart sank. She didn’t know much about mafia politics, but she could tell that this situation was growing more dangerous by the second. She felt the weight of it pressing down on her chest.

Lawrence clenched his jaw. "We need to know who they’re dealing with. And we need to know now."

"I’ve got my contacts working on it," Alexander said. "But it’ll take time. In the meantime, I’d suggest we tighten security even further."

Lawrence nodded, but his face was grim. "We’ll have to. No more chances. Amari’s safety is our top priority."

Amari glanced between the two men, feeling like a weight around Lawrence’s neck. She hated that he had to worry about her in addition to everything else. But what choice did they have now? She was part of his world, whether she wanted it or not.

---

As night fell over the estate, Amari stood by the window, staring out into the dark expanse of trees. Lawrence was on the phone in another room, dealing with some urgent matter she wasn’t privy to. Her mind was a mess of thoughts—about him, about the danger they were in, and about how this had all spiraled out of control.

She had been a simple girl, living a peaceful life. Now, she was entangled in the dark web of the Parisian mafia, and her relationship with Lawrence only complicated things further.

But amidst all the fear, there was something undeniable about the way she felt when she was with him. Despite the chaos, despite the danger, Lawrence made her feel safe—something she hadn’t felt in a long time. And that scared her more than anything else.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft creak of the door behind her. Lawrence entered the room, his expression unreadable. He walked up to her, standing beside the window, his gaze following hers out into the darkness.

"You’re quiet," he said after a moment, his voice low.

Amari shrugged. "Just… thinking."

"About?"

"Everything," she admitted. "About how we ended up here. About where this is going."

Lawrence’s face remained stoic, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—guilt, maybe. "I never wanted to drag you into this, Amari."

"I know," she whispered. "But it’s too late for that now."

He nodded, his jaw tightening. "It is."

They stood in silence for a while, the tension between them palpable. The weight of their situation hung over them like a cloud, suffocating and heavy.

"I don’t know how long we can keep this up," Amari finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Living like this—always looking over our shoulders, waiting for something to happen."

Lawrence turned to her, his eyes hard. "We’ll keep going as long as we need to. I won’t let them take you from me."

There was a fierceness in his voice that sent a shiver down Amari’s spine. She believed him. She knew Lawrence would do anything to protect her, but that didn’t mean the fear wasn’t there.

"I’m not just afraid for myself," Amari confessed. "I’m afraid for you too. You’re in as much danger as I am."

Lawrence’s expression softened, and for a moment, the weight of his responsibility seemed to crush him. He reached out, gently cupping her face in his hands. "Don’t worry about me. I can handle myself."

Amari closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. For a brief moment, everything else faded away, and it was just the two of them in that room. But the reality of their situation was never far behind.

When she opened her eyes again, Lawrence’s face was inches from hers. His gaze was intense, filled with an emotion she couldn’t quite name. And before she could stop herself, she leaned in, pressing her lips to his in a soft, desperate kiss.

Lawrence responded immediately, his arms wrapping around her, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened, filled with the urgency of their situation—the need to find solace in each other in the face of the danger surrounding them.

When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless. Lawrence rested his forehead against hers, his voice rough with emotion. "Whatever happens, we’ll face it together."

Amari nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Together."

---

The next few days passed in a blur of tension and anticipation. Lawrence was constantly in and out of meetings, strategizing with his men, preparing for the inevitable confrontation with the Montemayors. Amari spent most of her time inside the estate, her nerves frayed from the constant threat looming over them.

One evening, as Amari sat in the living room, she overheard a conversation between Lawrence and Alexander.

"The Montemayors are making their move soon," Alexander said, his tone grim. "We’ve intercepted some communications. They’re planning an attack on the estate."

Lawrence’s face was stone-cold. "When?"

"Within the next two days."

Amari’s heart raced. The Montemayors were coming for them. And this time, there would be no running.

---