Page 22 of The Mafia’s Girlfriend

“It’s so...” I shrugged. “He’s here. It’d be convenient is all. If I followed through on this idea, it’d be to spite my father and Antonio. I’d want it to be more meaningful than literally jumping on the closest man around.”

Krista dipped her chin and stared at Luke over her sunglasses again. “Sis, I gotta say. Getting freaky and filthy with a man like that would be meaningful. He’s gotta be hung and no one that sexy can be that bad in bed.”

I dropped my head into my hands and groaned. Hearing her talk like this wasn’t helping. I had an idea she would be right, and that only anted up the temptation.

“I want to live a little and have my summer adventure,” I admitted, “but not by taking the easiest, most accessible path to finding it. With the hotel staff? How cliché would that be?”

Krista studied me with a knowing smile. “But you are interested.”

I huffed and looked away. You are not going to hear those words come out of my mouth. I’d be damned if I said I wanted him. That confession would be giving him the satisfaction of knowing he’d gotten to me.

“That man rubs me the wrong way,” I said.

“Oh, he could rub you all—”

I swatted at her arm. “Stop.”

“Seriously,” she said, giggling.

Luke peeved me on an elemental, subconscious level, but he also taunted me and tempted me.

He made me feel out of control, addicting to seeking him out. Nothing bothered me more than feeling like I had no power or choice.

He’d gotten under my skin and I detested it.

“Let’s go to another club tonight.” I paired my impulsive idea with a quick smile. I wasn’t a fan of clubbing, but with the sun about to set, I looked forward to having something, anything, to distract me from thinking about Luke.

“To see what else is out there?” she teased.

“Yeah.” I wouldn’t lie about that.

Hours later, though, after we got ready for a night of clubbing, I regretted that I’d suggested it. This club was bigger and further from the Tropican. More people gyrated and danced on the floor. Drinks flowed everywhere, literally in fountains. It might have made me sound like a dork and a prude, a good girl who never wanted to step out of line, but as we walked further into the club, I had this silly idea that I was entering a drunken orgy. A setting that’d be a tribute to Dioynsus himself.

What really had me wishing we’d stayed at the resort was seeing the men on the other side of the room. Several Marchese men lingered near the bar. They were newer recruits, but Krista and I recognized them.

“Uh-oh,” she muttered, glancing at me nervously.

“Yeah, maybe we should go.” I looked around for an exit, already confused which was where. So many people were packed in here. It was too damn loud. I couldn’t think straight as panic descended upon me. I didn’t want to run into Antonio. Not now or ever.

“The irony kills me. We came here to get out and have fun. For you to have a chance to avoid him.”

I nodded, wincing as I sought the exit signs. I’d avoid Antonio Marchese as much as I could.

“I guess it’s his night off if he’s not a bouncer here, too.”

“Huh?” I frowned at her.

“He’s not here working.” She gestured at the other end of the bar, where she must have thought I was looking.

Luke. He stood there, talking and hanging out with a group of friends. He wasn’t working, just chilling and having a drink.

Krista thought I was talking about avoiding Luke, not the Marchese men.

“Let’s go.” I swallowed hard at the sight of Luke down there. As I urged Krista to retreat the way we’d come, three of the Marchese men sauntered close.

“Well, well, well.”

I tensed, holding Krista’s hand as she urged me to go faster.