Page 32 of Aldo

“I can’t stay.”

“Why?” he demanded, his grip on my face tightening.

“I’m exhausted, Aldo. I barely slept last night—I don’t have what you need tonight.”

He pressed his forehead to mine. “All I need is you. Here. With me. I saw you at the deli and noticed how tired you looked. I just want to sleep next to you tonight. I barely shut my eyes without you.”

I looked at him, seeing the tiredness etched on his skin. His gaze was dark and intense. Filled with something I didn’t expect. Didn’t understand.

Need.

“What’s happening?” I asked quietly.

“I have no idea, but I’m not fighting it. Stay. Please,” he added.

I knew that wasn’t a word he used a lot.

“Yes.”

CHAPTER 11

ALDO

Ihadn’t been able to get her out of my mind since I had left her in the suite. Memories of the hours we’d spent together played on rewind in my head. How well suited we were. How incredible we were together. She was beyond sexy, and I loved being inside her. Having her talented mouth on me. Everywhere. I liked everything about her. Her laughter, teasing. Her intelligence and how easy it was to talk to her. She’d asked me questions, and I had answered honestly. I had told her about my parents and growing up with Roman, omitting a lot of details, but still sharing.

“Is he, ah, mafia?” she asked quietly. “Are you?”

I met her gaze, her hazel eyes a soft blue in the low light of the room. “We’re dangerous,” was how I replied. “Powerful. Roman, especially.”

“You protect him.”

“And I will until I die.”

“Would you die for him?”

“Without a thought.”

She pressed herself to me. “Then be extra careful, Aldo. I like you in one piece with your heart beating.”

The urge to tell her my heart hadn’t really beat until she came into my life was strong, but I resisted.

“My heart or my cock?” I teased.

She slid her hand between us, touching my chest, then wrapping it around my thickening erection. “Both.”

I had observed her leave last night, standing unseen in the shadows as she got in her old car and drove away. It took all my willpower not to stop her. I worked until the early morning hours, Roman prowling by my side. Our managers often handled everything, but Roman liked to make an appearance, never maintaining a consistent schedule. It kept everyone on their toes.

Tonight, I had seen Vi arrive, looking weary. As weary as I felt. I stayed clear of the deli but studied her via the security feed. She was quieter than normal, not as animated with the customers. It bothered me knowing she was tired. I frowned as I stared at the screen, wondering when Vi had become someone I worried over.

Roman had interrupted me, his voice over my shoulder. “What are you staring at so intently?”

“Just looking.”

“You’ve been staring at the feed for ten solid minutes.” He narrowed his gaze. “At the woman. Violet.”

I stayed quiet.

He lifted his eyebrows. “Was she the date? The one you kept the room for?”