Page 99 of Tempting My Mafia Monster

“You’re resilient and incredibly brave. The way you love this family and the sacrifices you’ve been willing to make for them prove how strong and loyal you are. You love fiercely, Raya. And you’ve never been afraid to show it. I admire that.”

I pressed my lips together and looked out the window before fresh tears fell. I was sick of crying, exhausted by it all. I didn’t want to be strong anymore. I just wanted… Maddox.

“I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant to upset you!” Lili cried, looking mortified. “I always say the wrong thing. I have no filter. I’m sorry.”

“No, no. It was really sweet, Lili. I’m just not sure I can keep being the woman you idolise. I’m…” I let out a deep breath. “I just want to drink away my problems. Forget my reality. I need a distraction for one night.”

“That I can help you with,” she said with a kind smile, topping up my glass. “Do you want to hear a secret?”

Lili smirked at me. I narrowed my eyes.

“You have secrets?”

“Of course, doesn’t everyone?”

I scoffed. “I guess. Please. Tell me. I’ll take any distraction from my life right now.”

“You have to swear you’ll tell no one, not even Sani.”

“Sani and I aren’t exactly on the best of terms right now. And I swear. You’ve kept my secret. Of course, I’ll keep yours.”

She looked at me coyly over her wineglass, her cheeks turning pinker by the second. That had my attention. I leaned forward. “Oddio, what is it?”

“I’m having sex with the stable hand,” she rushed in one rapid sentence, then buried her head in her hands. My jaw went slack.

“Vito?” I gasped. “Lili! Isn’t he younger than Raff?”

“No!” She crossed her legs and hit my arm. “He’s just turned twenty-one!”

I raised my eyebrows, showing how much attention I’d been paying. With my mouth agape, I stared at her, shaking my head. I never thought Lili had it in her. A secret affair with the stable boy who groomed our horses. I let out a scoff of disbelief at the cliché.

“Don’t judge me!” she whined and pouted. “He’s really nice.”

“I’m not!” I really wasn’t. I was just shocked. “Honestly, good for you. Now I know why you spend so much time in the stables. Mucking out the horses, huh?”

She giggled, her cheeks turning a shade of crimson. “Stop it.”

“How have you not been caught? You know Gio would have Vito’s head on a spike if he ever found out.”

She sighed. “I know. We’re careful. No one ever comes to the stables. And as long as the soldiers spot me there every so often, they know I’m safe and don’t come snooping.”

“Never took you for such a risk-taker!” She shrugged and took another sip of wine. “Is it serious?”

“God, no,” she laughed. “We’re only fooling around. I’ll end it soon. It’s nothing serious. But he’s nice, has a six-pack, and good stamina. He’s a fun way to pass the time around here.”

“I can imagine. How long has it been going on?”

“Only a few weeks,” she said, meeting my gaze. “He found me crying in the stables after you’d been taken. He consoled me, and we grew closer. One thing led to another. Distractions are good.”

I lifted my glass and clinked it against hers. “To distractions.”

She giggled, and we both drank. Movement in the driveway caught our attention. We watched Alessio and Gio stride towards separate cars, with twenty soldiers following behind, all piling into SUVs.

“Looks like trouble’s brewing,” Lili said, worrying her lip.

My heart lurched as unease spread. If they had found Sean, I’d be marrying Aleksandr sooner than we’d planned. I needed something to numb these feelings. I picked up the empty bottle.

“I think we’re going to need another one.”