Page 99 of Diary of a Mafia Princess

Just like he’d made me do as a teenager.

I pointed at the chair. “Sit.”

She did as I’d asked, and then I yanked open the fridge, peering into it, spotting a package of bacon. I grabbed it, along with eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms, and potatoes, and laid my finds out on the countertop.

Nyah watched me with curious eyes. “What are you doing?”

“Making you breakfast.”

I turned the oven on and wasn’t quiet about opening cupboards to search for something to cook it in.

“Bottom drawer,” she said. “I saw baking trays when I was making that cake with Virginia. Also, why?”

“Why what?” I opened the bottom drawer as she’d suggested, then blushing hot as I realized she was right. I hadn’t cooked in this kitchen for a long time, and it showed.

“Why are you making me breakfast?”

“You said you were hungry. That my father didn’t let you eat last night. So why wouldn’t I?”

“Oh,” she said, like she couldn’t believe it was that simple. “I should probably just have eggs.”

I made a face at her. “Or you can have eggs, bacon, mushrooms, potatoes, and toast. And then have seconds. Fuck not eating. You need food.”

She smiled softly. “Luca Guerra, are you actually a nice guy underneath all the scowls and sharp words?”

I stopped and looked at her. Because I needed her to not get the wrong idea about me. “I’ve trafficked women, Nyah. Sold them at auctions to the highest bidders. I’ve moved drugs and weapons, blackmailed, cheated, stolen.” I cracked an egg into a bowl. “I’m not a good man. Don’t mix up me wanting to cook a fucking meal for being a nice person. You’ll just be disappointed.”

The smile fell off her face, and her voice cooled off. “Oh. I see.”

I turned my back on her so she didn’t notice the way I couldn’t stand to see the disappointment on her face.

I busied myself pan frying mushrooms and seasoning potatoes. Aromas filled the air, making my tender stomach gurgle, this time with emptiness and hunger.

“Where did you learn to cook like this?” Nyah took a deep inhale of breath. “God, it smells amazing.”

I shrugged. “Some of it was Virginia. She used to let me help her in the kitchen when I was a kid, even though my father said I wasn’t to be doing menial work like that since it was for the hired help only. Mostly I picked up bits and pieces from the chefs at the restaurants we own.”

Nyah cocked her head to one side. “I didn’t realize you owned restaurants. Any around here?”

All the sizzling pans were under control, so I took a second to lean back against the countertop and crossed my arms over my chest. “You heard of Sinners in Providence?”

Her mouth dropped open. “Shut the fuck up. You own Sinners? You know there’s a sex maze in the back room?”

I laughed at her. “Yeah, I’m well aware. I built it.”

Her eyes widened more. “You did not?”

I sniggered. “I did. Me and Hayden Whitling. I gave him full ownership of the restaurant a while back though. I owed him a favor.”

She nodded but thankfully didn’t press me on why. “I’ve met Hayden. Lynx probably knows him too. Since they both live at the Slayers’ compound.”

It was my turn to be surprised. “Lynx lives at the Slayers’ clubhouse?”

She nodded and pointed at the stove. “You want to serve those up before they burn?”

I jolted and switched off the gas. I plated everything up and put one of them in front of her. “Eat.”

She picked up her knife and fork and cut off a bite-sized piece of potato. Then paused with it hovering over her pretty lips. “This isn’t some sort of test, is it? Where you report back to your father that I’m actually a gluttonous pig. Because I’m about to wolf this down without stopping to breathe.”