Page 44 of The Mafia’s Girlfriend

He had to help. He’d helped me before. I felt bad to rely on him like this, but he’d proven many times now that he couldn’t stay away when I needed backup.

Until now, I hadn’t asked him to be there for me. But I hoped he’d budge and give me the time of the day now.

I found him out by the beach, striding toward that uglier building the staff frequently stopped in at.

“Not again,” he groaned.

“I need—”

He held his hand up. “No.”

“Listen to me. Please.”

Something in my expression must have conveyed the seriousness of what I had to ask for. He sighed and hung his head. Shaking it slightly, he seemed to mumble to himself. When he lifted his face, he scowled a bit. “Now what?”

“I need your help picking up my friend.”

He furrowed his brow. “The brunette who laughs too loud?”

“Yeah—” I smirked. “She doesn’t laugh too loud.”

“Why do you need my help?”

“Because she’s at a place I don’t want to go alone.” He’d expect more answers, and I was prepared to give him as many as I could to ensure he’d come with me.

“Why?” He shook his head. “Why don’t you want to go there alone?”

“Because those men from yesterday might be there.”

There was no might about it. I looked up that address, and it was a party house Antonio liked to stop at.

He looked away and strode on. “I don’t want to get involved, Emma.”

I rushed after him. “I know you don’t, but—”

“I’m just getting off now. I’ve got other stuff to deal with tonight and now this?”

“It won’t take long. Just an in-and-out sort of thing.”

He frowned at me walking alongside him.

“I know I don’t have any right to ask you for anything. I hate that I do.”

“That’s right.” He glanced at me coolly. “I thought you never wanted to be indebted to anyone.”

“I don’t.” I already felt like I “owed” him a payback for him making me come. “But I can’t leave her. I have to make sure she’s safe.”

“You don’t think she’d be safe there?”

I shook my head. “Please, Luke.”

I braced myself for the inevitable question he’d spring on me in reply. The one where he’d ask me what was in it for him if he did this.

“Fine.”

I smiled.

“But I have something to take care of first.”