The Mafia's forbidden Love

c that had his pulse racing; it was the kiss. He could still taste Adrian on his lips-bitter, sweet, a promise of something he could never

they weaved through the crowd. He cast a side

hat didn't quite reac

nced. "You sure? You look

ht bitterly. Or m

hushed murmur of conversation and the click of glasses against polished wood. His father, Carlo Bianchi, stood at the window, a com

around, his voice smooth, deceptive

somehow, the air charged with the weight of unspoken words. He stepped forward

andsome and terrifying, his features carved from granite, with silver streaks threading through his dark hair

rling into a smile that didn't reach his eyes. He lifted a gla

t dry. "Yes, it's

u if you didn't look like you just crawled out of a gutter.

e, something believable. "I stepped out f

ed was louder than any accusation. He studied Luca with a loo

here is to know about this business, Luca. How to read peopl

the back of his neck. "I'm not lying,"

ing a hand on Luca's shoulder. "Because tonight is important. We're finalizing the deal w

in his stomach growin

ightened briefly before he

es

ice dropping to a warning growl. "I saw you two ea

but he forced himself to keep his f

uble. And we don't need trouble right now. Not

merger, a future he had no say in. His father's plans for him had always been cle

than admitting the truth-that he didn't want any part of this

sing Luca with a wave of his hand. "Now go make yourself presentabl

hroat and left the room, letting the door close behind him. He didn't realize he was hold

usic throbbed, and the crowd had thickened, bodies swaying and pressing together in a sensuous dance

was taking stock of every exit, every potential threat. He looked up then, as if sensing Luca's gaze, and their eyes met once more. Adrian's e

closer, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a

nruffled. "You didn't tell

ushed. "That w

n. He stepped closer, his fingers brushing against the back o

ico or, worse, his father watching from the shadows. But the cro

here," Luca whispe

blazing with a sudden intensity. "I care about you. And I thi

ke a punch to the gut. He wanted to deny it, to push Adrian away a

anything else, Adrian was kissing him again, hard and desperate

dangerous, but for once in his life, Luca didn't care. He let himself feel it-all of it-the heat, the lon

ner of the crowded club, nothing