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“No, Juno isn’t involved,” she cuts me off. “She would help if she knew, but my father and I...we’re already playing with fire. Involving the Bianchis could start a Mob War, and that would put even more lives in danger. And besides, this shame lies on the Mancini Family. It’s our battle, not Juno’s.”
I study the weary lines of her face, the lingering fear and self-doubt in her eyes taking over from her usual bravado.
A flicker of desperation crosses her face. “Please, Natalie,” she implores, “you have to understand.”
I register the raw emotion in her voice, her face. It’s a side of Alessa I haven’t seen before. “Alright. I get it. You’re doing what you think is right—what you believe is necessary for these women.” I mean it, too; despite the chaos this revelation has thrown me into, there’s something real about Alessa’s determination to protect those who can’t protect themselves.
And as for me, I make a mental note to include this information in a briefing. If mobsters themselves are appalled at what’s going on, why the hell isn’t law enforcement?
What isourside doing, if we’re supposed to be the good guys?
“Thank you for understanding,” Alessa says with a rush of breath. She reaches out, hesitating for a moment before placing a warm hand on my arm. I glance at her lips, suddenly aware of just how close we are.
“Your secret is safe with me,” I murmur.
She smiles ruefully. “I’m sorry you had to find out the way you did. And I’m glad you understand. But not a word, Natalie. It’s—it’s dangerous work. But let me take you back to the Ruby now. That is…” She hesitates. “That is, if you still want to join at all.”
I believe I’ve uncovered the truth about her intentions, so far as Sienna goes. But I still have a job to do. “I do,” I say with a smile.
“Excellent. Then…we should…” She stands.
I stand too. “Yes,” I say. “We should…”
She’s so close to me.
So close…
I lean in and press my lips against hers.
Her eyes widen in surprise, but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she lets me kiss her, tentative and soft, until she kisses me back with a fierce intensity that leaves me breathless, her arms winding around me as our mouths move together in perfect harmony…
I’m kissing Alessa de Luca.
And I never want to stop.
CHAPTER16
ALESSA
For a heartbeat the noise of the outside world fades away, leaving only this bright point of connection. I let myself get lost in the kiss, savoring the taste and warmth of Natalie’s mouth.
She’s kissing me.Shekissedme.
After all my chasing, flirting, innuendo…
She kissed me.
She pulls back and my heart crumples up until I see her eyes, her uncertainty, her need to know that I’m as into this as she is. I take her face between my hands and I settle my mouth over hers again, unmistakable.
Yes, I want this. Yes. Kiss me.
There’s a long pulse of electricity running right through me that sets off a heavy throb in my clit. Her tongue presses against mine and now I can smell her, feel her, taste her. Arousal beats in my core like a pounding drum as I cup her head, tilting her deeper into the kiss, drinking her in.
She has less finesse, but that only makes it hotter—her mouth open and seeking, hands fluttering over me until she finds my hips, tugs me against her, hard. I bite at her bottom lip, the one she’s always chewing on, and it sparks something new between us, changes the vibe.
The kiss gets deeper. Wetter.
More urgent.
