The Mafia's forbidden Love
had only just begun, but the dimly lit club, with its gilded chandeliers and dark velvet drapes, was already packed. The scent of expensive cologne
bon burned pleasantly in his throat, grounding him in the chaos around him. He glanced across the room, eyes narr
an R
trouble. Luca's eyes trailed over the man's silhouette: tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a tailored black suit that fit him too well to be anything off the rack. Adrian's dark hair
d it aside, setting his glass down with a clink. He couldn't afford distractions tonight, not with the delicate deal
ading to a dull roar in Luca's ears. For a moment, it was just the two of them, standing on opposite sides of a lin
co, with a slight tilt of his head. Nico, ever the silent observer, raised an eyebro
ice was low, a rumble that b
d turned away, but Luca knew he hadn't
Nico asked dryly, but he mo
s. Luca slipped through the staff door, finding himself in a narrow alley that smelled of dam
sn't
voice said, smooth as silk a
ne foot propped up behind him. He looked like a man who had all the time in t
" Luca's voice was low, edged with the ki
tingly relaxed. "I came for a d
e took a step closer, his fists clenching at
I am," he said softly, his gaze dropping briefly to Luca's mouth before
t pounding, faster now, the rhythm uneven. He knew he should walk away, get
ice rougher than he intended
ca could see the flecks of gold in his hazel eyes, the shadow of stubble on his jaw. He
, and before Luca could react, he felt the brush of cool fingers against his cheek. T
away. His own hand lifted, catching Adrian's wrist, holding it there.
oftened, the teasing edge falling away. For a moment, Luca saw somethi
ea now, a crack in the armor he'd
s lips so close that Luca could feel the warmth of his
d say it, push Adrian away before this went any further. But the words wouldn't come. H
he whispe
r. Luca's eyes fluttered shut, and he let himself fall into it, his hands tangling in Adrian's hair as he pulled him closer. The kis
hard, foreheads pressed together. Adrian's fingers tra
ime," Adrian confessed, his vo
truth of it settling between the
of footsteps echoed down the alley. They jumped apart just as
e urgent. "Your father's h
drian, whose expression had already shi
id softly. "We'
ico back inside, but he couldn't shake the feeling tha