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Aella’s eyes never left Mars’ brawny frame until he left the room.

“Is Mars a mob baby too?” she queried, sliding off the arm of the couch to claim the space next to Cassius.

Chuckling, he took one of her hands. “Is that what we are? Mob babies?”

“I mean, are we not? It’s what we were born into. Our lives were mapped out for us before we took our first breaths. Loyalty, duty, and honor,” she recited the creed that had been burned into both of their brains from when they were children.

Cassius licked his lips, carefully choosing his answer. “Yes and no. Mars is a mob baby, but not the same way we are. Despite that, we still became best friends. That’s my nigga.”

Resting her head against the back of the couch, Aella replied, “I can see why. I like him.”

“And now I gotta kill my best friend,” Cassius whistled, shaking his head.

“Oh my God, you get on my nerves,” Aella giggled, smacking his chest.

Rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand, he said, “I don’t want you to feel obligated to tie yourself to me. I know you think it’s best, but have you considered how much life will change? You’d have to separate yourself from your family, move in here⁠—”

“I know at times I may seem impulsive,” she interrupted, dropping her head onto his shoulder. “And yes, this is a highly unorthodox and drastic solution to a problem. But you aren’t half bad, and from what I’ve seen, I know how far you’ll go to protect me. Maybe life with you won’t be completely terrible.”

Her answer bothered him more than he was willing to admit. It wasn’t anywhere close to what he wanted to hear. Somewhere amid all their chaos, Cassius had grown fond of the fiery tempest who gave him so much hell. He wanted that in return.

Pivoting their conversation, he asked, “Are you sure you want to do this? I wouldn’t put it past you to have your whole dream proposal and wedding planned to the tee.”

A smile tugged on the corner of Aella’s lips. “I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t. I’m a vintage girl and, of course, a mob baby,” she paused as they shared a laugh. “So a timeless wedding has always been in my head.”

“Ring, too?”

“Mmhm,” she nodded, sitting up to prop her head on her hand. “Round diamond, twisted pave leaf in white gold.”

“Damn, that’s specific as fuck. You strict,” Cassius teased, brushing her hair out of her face.

Aella rolled her eyes. “So you and my sister keep telling me. And I guess I’ll be that because I’m not done. Before the wedding was even thought of, an elegant proposal under a starry sky with my family present has always been it for me.”

“Just family? No friends?”

“I don’t have too many outside of my sister. It’s hard to explain your family’s lifestyle to someone who wasn’t born into it. And those that are born in it are hard to tolerate sometimes.”

“Speaking of,” Cassius remembered one crucial detail he’d forgotten to mention. “My pops also told me that Cavataio was pushing for his son to marry your sister.”

Aella’s eyes widened as she sat up. “What?”

“Relax. Severo told him no, and I’m hoping Cavataio will leave it where it is. The last thing we need is an internal war. But his son is a fuckin’ pussy who doesn’t know how to keep his hands off women, and I’m coming just as strongly behind Ria as I am you.”

Nibbling on her bottom lip, Aella asked, “Why?”

Cassius shrugged. “Once we do this, your family is my family. That makes her my sister, too. I’ll kill that nigga before I let him get close to her.”

He’d barely finished his sentence before Aella’s lips collided with his. Brushing off his initial shock, Cassius gripped her throat as she melted against him. She moved into his lap, resulting in his length immediately hardening beneath her.

“Aye,” he said, using every ounce of willpower he possessed to keep from taking things a step further. “If you ain’t trying to take it there, then move. I ain’t got enough self-control for you to be playing. Yo’ lil ass will end up face down ass up on this couch.”

With his face in her hands, Aella giggled against his mouth, giving his lips a final peck. “Yeah, that’s not happening. At least not until you produce some paperwork. I can only imagine the type of lifestyle you were living to have panties stuffed in your couch.”

Sinking his teeth into his lip, Cassius slapped Aella’s ass as she climbed off him. “You got that.” She’d also unknowingly reminded him that he had a loose end to tie up before they could proceed with their plan. “In the meantime, you need to talk to your dad and tell him what’s up.”

“I will,” Aella agreed, toying with her fingers. “Are we really doing this?”

Cassius stood, growing serious. With his index finger under her chin, he tilted her head until their eyes met. “You need to ask yourself that, love. Once we cross that line, ain’t no coming back.”