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Sophia
What is it about dangerous men that I find attractive? Seeing Maxim and Luca in front of me, I see I have a type. Luca Varoni, huh. He told me his Last name was Miller and that he worked as a chauffeur for rich people. That was why he was gone at random times of the day. All of it was a lie. I wish I could say I saw it coming, but that would be a lie. I believed every word because I was in love with him. At least, I thought I was.
He may still have those dark piercing eyes and dark hair, but he has changed. The carefree attitude he had back then is gone, and his style is different, too. Luca was always in jeans, a plain t-shirt, and converse. He upgraded to a three-piece suit and shiny shoes. It seems to be the mafia boss uniform. He still looks like the heartbreaker I met five years ago.
He isn't the only one who has changed. I’ve changed a lot myself. I’m not the tiny broken shell of a woman he created. For starters, my heart doesn’t feel like it will rip out of my chest when I see him. He doesn’t have the control he once had over me. I always thought that all I felt for him would come rushing back if we ever crossed paths. Glad I was wrong.
Maxim moving snaps me out of my thoughts. He is in front of Luca, punching him in the blink of an eye. Luca staggers back but catches his footing quickly, then takes a swing at Maxim, who manages to dodge it. Maxim attempts a punch, and his fist collides with Luca’s stomach, eliciting a loud groan from him.
“Stop,” I scream, but they ignore me. Maxim keeps swinging at Luca. This needs to stop before one of them ends up dead. I grab a plate and throw it on the floor. Finally, they stop.
“Stop this,” I scream again.
Maxim grabs Luca's lapels.
“You have two seconds to get the fuck out of here,” Maxim says as he pushes Luca's back. He catches his footing and fixes his clothes covered in blood.
Luca gives me a lingering look. Our eyes lock, and I see a hint of sadness mixed with regret in them. “Arrivederci, angelo mio.” That is the last thing Luca says before taking his leave.
Slumping into my chair, I release a breath. Staring up at Maxim, I see that he’s angry. Well, shit. It’s a few long agonizing minutes before Maxim takes his seat and looks at me.
“Start fucking talking.” I know what he means by that. He wants to know the whole story about us. I, well, my heart can’t handle telling him everything. I’m not sure I can take opening that can of worms. My own family doesn’t know what happened to Luca and me. Just that we broke up, but I need to tell him something. He deserves that much after telling me his story.
“I swear to god, Sophia, I’ll force it out of you if you don’t start talking.”
Taking a few breaths to build up my courage, I tell him how Luca and I met.
Sophia
Five years before
I thought downtown Miami had enormous skyscrapers. Driving in New York, I could see how wrong I was. My heart flutters as I drive past the Welcome to New York sign. This is it, the start of my new life. I can’t believe I’m here. It’s always been my dream to live in this beautiful city that never sleeps. But here I am, thanks to my best friend Lexy and her taking it upon herself to apply for me to finish my residency on my behalf at the biggest hospital in New York. I was shocked that they accepted me.
Tears start forming in my eyes. I’m free and living independently. I can be anyone I want. No more living under Jenny's shadow.
Thirty minutes later, I’m parking in front of my new apartment. It’s a beautiful brick townhouse with a reddish brownstone veneer in Harlem. It’s love at first sight. The pictures I saw did not do this place justice. I should get moving and take the few boxes I have here inside. The movers will be here soon.
Turning off the car, I step out and head to the passenger side. I take a few seconds to stretch, then grab the first box. Before I make it to the steps, an asshole bumps into me, and the box drops out of my hand. And here I thought things were going well. I expected the asshole to apologize or help me, but he kept going.
Without thinking about it, I’m screaming at the stranger.
“Hey asshole, would it kill you to look where you’re going.”
He stops walking and turns around slowly. I feel my breath catch in my throat. Holy shit, he’s handsome. He looks like a model. I take him in. He has delicate features, dark hair, and dark eyes, and both of his arms are covered in tattoos. I think his chest is, too, from the black ink peeking through his white shirt. He stares me down as he walks toward me, and my stomach does a summersault.
“My apologies, angelo mio.”
I can feel myself getting hot at his closeness. He has danger written all over. What is it about dangerous men that makes them so fucking irresistible? I feel like a moth, and he is the flame. He grabs my hand, brings it to his lips, and kisses it. Smooth. Then he flashes a smile, and I can’t help but smile back.
“Funny how life works. I never go down this street. Good thing I did. If not, I would’ve never crossed paths with the most beautiful angelo.” It’s not safe for my heart to be beating this fast.
“Someone is a charmer, I see.”
He smirks. “Only for damsels in distress.”
“What makes you think I’m a damsel in distress?” I say, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Some asshole knocked the box you were carrying.” He leans down and picks up the box. Holy muscles, this man is built. I want to spread chocolate sauce on the ridges of his muscles and lick it off. Snap out of it, Sophia.
“Good thing you have a gentleman in front of you to help.” I laugh so hard, and a very unladylike noise escapes. How embarrassing. He must think I’m a dork.
“Which one is yours?”
Pointing at my new home, I say, “That one.”
He walks up the stairs with my box. This could go either way. We shall see. I walk after him and let him inside my home and… my heart.
