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She nodded.
“Bella,” I took a deep breath, “I am not a bad guy,” I paused, smirking, “well sometimes, but I do have some dark secrets.”
She peeled herself away, taking my hands in hers. Something was stirring in her mind. I had a feeling I knew what it was, but I did not think she would have the guts to ask such a thing. She opened her mouth to speak but closed it just as fast. Her face then became full of seriousness and concern.
“Are you in the Mafia?” she blurted suddenly.
There it was. She asked. I could not help but to smile at her question. Even though I expected that, I began to laugh. Yanking her hands away, she huffed, crossing her arms, waiting for an answer. I tried to match my facial expression to hers, but it was not possible. I was too amused.
“You think because I am Italian that I am in the Mafia?” I smirked, still trying not to make her feel like a fool. “Do you know that is the first question I am asked by everyone?”
She shrugged, tilting her head, “I mean, no I don’t think that and I’m sorry people ask that, but you do also hurt people.”
“People who deserve it, yes," I rolled my eyes. “But that doesn't make me a gangster.” I reached over, taking her hands in mine as I tried to keep my smirk to a minimum. “No Isabelle, I am not in the Mafia, I promise.”
“It's not like you would tell me even if you were,” she countered with adorable sarcasm.
She had a point, however I was telling her the truth. I shook my head as she arched a brow, studying my face for lies. Snaking my arms around her body again, I pulled her against me.
“True,” I agreed, “but I’m just a man who will go to whatever magnitude I have to when it comes to the people I care about.” I leaned forward, whispering against her pouty, soft lips, “And I care very much about you.” I pressed my mouth to hers with a lingering kiss.
The moment those words left his mouth, I felt weak. The man had a habit of making me feel incredibly vulnerable and desired. I did not know exactly how to respond to him. I was rendered speechless.
Unfortunately, I was terrified for my future. The truth was that my uncle would probably kill me soon. He was the only person on the planet that I truly feared. He had instilled fear and anxiety into me as a child. I had spent a great part of my life dealing with it as I tried not to let him get to me so much that he ruined me as a person.
When I started working, Jesse’s advances seemed benign compared to what I dealt with within the walls of my uncle’s house. Although, Jesse was still irritating and inappropriate, I tried to ignore him. Money would help me flee my uncle sooner or later. I was deep in thought about my past when Valentino suddenly broke the silence.
“I want to show you who I am,” he whispered, placing a gentle kiss on my neck.
I backed away, gripping my hands on my hips. “I want to know who you are besides all th--,” I waved my hand back and forth at him, “sexy man that you are.”
I plodded across the room as his body gave off a level of sexual tension. I was not willing to reciprocate right now, but since he made me weak, it might have happened. I had to be strong. I turned around to see him covering his mouth, as he leaned on the wall next to the window.
I continued my rant, “I want to know Valentino andSir!” I crossed my arms, thinking I was making a legitimate request.
The humor washed off his face. He marched to me, standing before me within seconds. Backing me against the wall, he cocked his head as he searched my eyes for any sign of vulnerability. I swallowed hard as I met his lustful gaze, trying to hide my desire.
He smirked, slowly resting his lips against mine, “Be very careful what you wish for.” He licked his lips, but they were so close to mine that his tongue grazed mine as well, “Bella, how much of me do you actually want?”
“All,” I gulped, knowing what I was getting myself in to.
He chuckledderisively, “You did say that you didn't want me to hold back, didn't you?”
“And I meant it,” I glared directly into his eyes.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. We both sighed.
“Come in,” he shouted as he twisted to face the door.
Joseph entered the room with papers in his hand, holding them out for Valentino.He stepped over, snatching them, beginning to look through each one with a very intense expression. I observed as Valentino's body language matched Joseph's. They were both extremely tense but poised.
Joseph glanced over in my direction, giving me a half-smile. That was when I knew that whatever was on those papers was about me. Valentino turned to me, a nervous expression appeared on his face.
“Joseph, please leave us alone,” he requested with his eyes still on me.
Joseph crept out of the room as quietly as possible, pulling the door closed as he exited. Valentino remained next to me, handing me the papers. He ran his fingers through his hair anxiously when I took them.
“You wanted me to be honest with you about things so here is your first test.”
