Page 46 of Knocked Up by My Dad's Mafia Boss

Samantha looks green around the gills. “Dante–”

My shoulders stiffen against the headboard as I continue. “I did as he said, of course, and Elio left the room, came back with a sledgehammer. Shattered both Roberto’s femurs while he screamed and fought.”

Samantha swallows visibly, pale. “Jesus. Maybe we shouldn’t go public.”

“Exactly my point. Your father isn’t someone to push, Samantha. Even though you seem to revel in it.”

She chuckles but then looks at me curiously. “Do you think I’m doing this thing with you because I’m rebelling against my father?”

My eyes shoot to hers. “Aren’t you?”

She huffs out a breath and smacks my shoulder with the flat of her hand. It bounces off me uselessly. “Of course not. I’m doing this because I want to, Dante.”

I don’t respond, but my heart flips in my chest. My hand reaches out to cup her cheek before I can stop myself. “C’mere,” I mumble, and Samantha smiles softly, climbing into my lap, her arms going around my neck as she straddles me.

I trail my hands up her back, nuzzling against her neck.

I should stop. This is too much, being this close to her, this…intimate. I’ve been inside her and it didn’t feel this close. Maybe I’m still a little drunk. Curse Elio and his penchant for tequila.

Samantha sighs happily, putting her head on my shoulder, and I’m content to just hold her for a few moments, running my hands up and down her back. “Feels good,” she murmurs against my shoulder.

I hum, kissing the top of her head. It does. It’s more meaningful than having her under me ever has been. It almost hurts, but in the best way. I can’t let her go, even though I know I should.

Even though I know I’m lighting a match near an open vat of gasoline.

A knock sounds on my door and Samantha gasps, springing apart from me.

She scrambles off my lap and my heart jumps into my throat. I place a finger across my lips to tell her to be quiet.

“Dante? You dead?”

“Not yet,” I call, trying to keep my voice a calm, even drawl.

“Are you decent?”

“Get under the bed,” I whisper-hiss at Samantha, and she stares at me blankly for a split second before she gets down on the floor and sneaks under the bed.

“Never,” I call back, and then Elio opens the door. Samantha hadn’t locked it. That was a mistake. Not as big of a mistake as being with me in the first place, but still.

Elio looks pale but otherwise none the worse for wear. He walks closer and my heart stops. But Samantha doesn’t make a noise, quiet as a mouse. “Breakfast in bed? Maria must like you.”

“She’s a gem,” I say easily, keeping my eyes on his. “What’s up?”

“Big shipment coming in tonight.”

“I know. I’ll be there.”

“I was thinking of sending Ricardo.”

“Why? Because I’m hungover?” I ask. My voice still sounds strained to my ears, but if Elio’s suspicious, it doesn’t show on his face.

He chuckles. “Yeah. Kinda feel bad for making you take so many shots.”

“You should feel bad for ditching me for that blonde.”

“You can’t make me feel bad about that,” he says with a grin. “You saw her.”

I hum. “How’d it go?”