In the Shadows of the Mafia Lord

sol'

oice cracked as I slammed my fists against t

isted mask of amusement. "You think yo

creamed, stepping closer

ou nothing. Your family brought this on themsel

t him!" I cut him off, my

de enemies in every corner of this

wasn't the victim I'd painted him to be. He was a playe

I whispered, my vo

breath hot against my ear. "A

corner only for

hen I saw her standing in t

her eyes hollow, her bo

nto my arms. "I thought you we

voice shaking. "They wanted informa

isted. "Who?

ling with tears. "They're still out the

words pressing down on me. I wa

e?" I demanded, pullin

" she said, her voice laced with fear. "He

ind was focused on the task at hand. Rafael's orders h

earlier that night, my v

ou," he'd replied,

like a noose tighte

r thick with tension. I spotted the man wa

ked, my voice steady despite

rked box. "Deliver this to

man stepped out of the darkness, his p

game, Marisol," he said, h

want?" I snapped, clut

ing with malice. "To see h

counter, its contents a

echoed in my mind, but curiosity

g, and lifted the lid. Inside was a

Standing ne

" I whispered,

ecret life my father had hidden from me. But what

ut of nowhere, knocki

g as the scarred man loomed over me. "Yo

spat, scrambli

y. I ducked, my instincts kicking in as

I said, my voice steady despi

ound. "You're right. But I ca

, a gunshot rang out, the so

his eyes widening as he

gun still smoking, his exp

asked, his voice so

eatening to give out.

said, his gaze locking ont

in bed, Rafael's wo

re m

I hated to admit. Was I just another pawn in his twisted game, a shiny new toy f

for even entert

ath my pillow the one of my father and Rafael, standing toget

unted me too. Your family

ust beyond my grasp, a shadow I couldn't quite catch. Wha

wasn't ready to answer. Or maybe I

the heat of my thoughts mingling with the lingering memory of Rafael's touch. The way his han

owing the blanket off me. My skin was slic

ed to understand why Rafael had stepped into my life like a st

the truth when I coul

made me freeze. My breath caught in my thro

w, almost a purr, as he stepped insi

sheet around me. "Wh

scanning me in a way that made my pulse race. "

the part where you killed a man for me? Or the part wh

omething deeper-something darker. "I don't take what'

as I glared at him. "I'm n

overwhelming as he stood over me. "Then why haven't you r

lap, and I hated that

said, my vo

is fingers brushing against my cheek. The touch wa

whispered, his voice a

uldn't come. My breath hitched as his hand s

?" I managed to choke out, m

since the moment I saw you," he said

and desire that left me dizzy. I hated him for what he

d, though my voice

g ever so slightly. "Stop lying to yoursel

ashed against mine, claiming me wit

a battle, a challenge, and I met it with equal fire. But as

e anything," I said

ing against my swollen lips. "Y

aving me alone with my racing heart

have I gotte

silent reminder that Rafael's world was b

The secrets that seemed to m

t out of reach, but

e at a cost. And I wasn't sure