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And yet, I couldn't stop seeing those enthralling green eyes, feeling her lithe body pressed close to mine in the shadows...
A flicker of movement in my crosshairs pulled my attention back. I steadied my breathing, finger poised on the trigger as I watched the warehouse door. Natalia would have to wait. There were rules in this world, and I had a role to play.
But even as I lined up my target in the sights, I knew - somehow, someway, I would find those stolen moments with her again. No matter how many codes we broke. She was already under my skin, compromising my judgment in ways that should unsettle me. But when I thought of her, all I felt was anticipation of our next clandestine thrill...
My target stepped into view and I reflexively squeezed the trigger, muscle memory taking over. As I watched him collapse, my mind drifted again...
I was back at the casino bar, scotch in hand, when I first caught sight of her across the smoky room - a striking beauty in red satin, clearly out of place amidst the glitz and seediness. An irresistible aura of innocence surrounded her, even in this den of wolves.
I watched, transfixed, as she laughed and brushed back waves of mahogany hair. Those succulent lips I ached to kiss...
Shaking myself, I tried to focus on the task at hand. But the memories overtook me.
Approaching her table, I was captivated by the sparkle of intelligence and curiosity in her emerald eyes. Up close, she took my breath away. I knew in that instant I had to possess her, claim her as mine.
"Can I help you, miss?" I recall asking, ready to deploy every ounce of charm at my disposal. Her responding blush sent desire coursing through my veins. She wanted me too, though she tried to hide it.
I had to know who this exquisite creature was. One way or another, I would make her mine...
A voice in my earpiece jolted me back to the present. The job was done, flawlessly. But it was thoughts of Natalia that occupied me as I slipped away into the night.
My mind was made up. Once this job was done, I would see my alluring Moretti temptation again. Caution and reason be damned. Our passion broke all the rules of this dark world I inhabited. And I was addicted.
Natalia's POV:
I couldn't stop thinking about him. Leonardo Delacruz occupied my every thought, no matter how much I tried to push him out. I was addicted to the danger and excitement he represented.
Unable to wait any longer, I decided to subtly gather information about the alluring stranger who had ignited such an intense fire within me. If I was going to pursue this recklessly irresistible affair, I needed to know who I was dealing with.
Casually, I asked my brother Enzo about the Delacruz family and their enterprises, feigning bored curiosity. Through clever probing disguised as idle chatter, I managed to learn crucial details.
Leonardo's reputation within the mafia painted him as ruthless, cunning, but honorable in his own way. He had risen quickly through the Delacruz ranks to become one of their top earners and most deadly enforcers. Crossing him or his family meant certain death.
Yet when we were alone under the moonlight, I had glimpsed a softer side to the hardened criminal facade. Felt the way helooked at me as if I was some rare, precious thing. Our electric chemistry went far beyond attraction or lust.
I knew if we were discovered, my father and brother would not hesitate to order Leonardo executed. But I was powerless to resist him, this pull we shared. I had to see him again, no matter how. I needed to gather more information; I needed to get a way to see him again. Only one place where I could get it came to my mind.
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The smoky casino air enveloped me as I wound my way through the crowds, senses hyper-alert. I had slipped my protective detail tonight for this reckless mission - learning more about Leonardo.
At the bar, I spotted my target - one of my brother Enzo's men who worked alongside Leonardo's crew n the past. Sliding onto the stool beside him, I ordered a drink and casually mentioned Leonardo's name, gauging his reaction.
I knew this was dangerous, probing mafia associates for secrets. But my yearning for Leonardo overpowered the fear.
As expected, Enzo's man tensed at Leonardo's name, swearing under his breath. "That man's a damn freaking ghost. Never know what he's thinking or about to do."
I nodded, concealing my rapt interest as he continued.
"Ruthless SOB, that's for sure. But gets all the dirtiest jobs done without hesitation." He took a long swig of his beer. "Not someone I'd want to cross though. Man keeps grudges and doles out vengeance like it's nothing."
My pulse quickened hearing him echo details others had shared about Leonardo's reputation. Formidable and deadly, yet with me he had been tender, even vulnerable. I was playing with fire, but couldn't stay away.
I let the conversation drift to other topics, not wanting to raise suspicion. But now I understood the stakes even more if we were caught. Leonardo would face my family's wrath. Yet even knowing the peril, I could not resist him. I had to see him again.
After chatting amiably at the bar for a while, I pivoted the conversation back to Leonardo, cautious but eager for an opening.
"That Delacruz guy sounds like quite the character," I said, keeping my tone light despite my racing heartbeat. "I don't think I'd want to get on his bad side."
