Exposed to the CEO Behind the Mafia Mask novel Chapter 475

475 Chapter 71 Shadows in Morning

475 Chapter 71 Shadows in Morning

Lila’s POV

The rich aroma of imported Italian coffee and the gentle sensation of calloused fingers threading through my hair gradually pulled me from sleep. Opening my eyes, I found Daniel perched on the edge of our king-sized bed, his powerful frame silhouetted against the floor-to-ceiling windows of his penthouse. His hand moved tenderly through my hair, and a soft smile formed on his lips when our eyes met.

“Good morning, sunshine,” he greeted me, his deep voice immediately triggering memories of the previous night-how he’d whispered his devotion while our bodies moved together in perfect harmony, his words carrying the weight of a man who understood that love in his world was both sanctuary and vulnerability.

“Good morning, ray of light,” I responded with a lazy smile. He leaned down to kiss me, his lips tasting faintly of the expensive whiskey he’d been nursing late into the night, before handing me a steaming mug of coffee in bone china that probably cost more than most people’s rent.

Concern etched his sharp features as he asked, “How are you feeling today?”

I glanced at the professional bandage wrapping my arm, applied by the discrete doctor who made house calls for the Martinez family. “I’m fine. The wound stings a bit, but nothing serious.”

“Hmm. Almost time for your pain medication.” He placed a breakfast tray laden with delicacies from the exclusive deli that catered to the city’s elite across my lap. “Eat.”

I laughed at his commanding tone, so characteristic of a man accustomed to absolute obedience in every aspect of his life except this one. “Is that an

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475 Chapter 71 Shadows in Morning

order?”

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“Most definitely.” His dark eyes twinkled with playful authority, the same eyes that could make seasoned criminals confess their sins with a single glance.

Between sips of the perfectly brewed coffee, I remembered something important. “I need to report my stolen phone and block the line. I completely forgot yesterday.”

“Already taken care of,” he assured me, and I wasn’t surprised. Daniel’s connections could make problems disappear with a few strategic phone calls. He smiled then. “You have some jelly on your mouth.” He leaned forward, his tongue darting out to remove the apricot preserves from the corner of my lips before placing a gentle kiss there. “Mmm! Delicious. Now I see why you’re so fond of apricot jelly.”

“Wait-are you telling me you’ve never had apricot jelly before?” I asked incredulously.

His eyes darkened with that familiar intensity that reminded me he was a man who’d seen and done things I couldn’t imagine. “Not on you, but I think I’ll start.” He picked up the expensive jar of imported preserves, examining it with exaggerated interest that made my pulse quicken.

I stared at him wide-eyed, and he responded with a mischievous grin that transformed his usually serious face before returning the jar to the tray. “That’s for another time. Today we’re going to get you a new phone.”

“You don’t have to,” I protested, finishing my last bite of artisanal toast. “I still have my old one.”

“The one your mother constantly bothers you on? The one you keep turned off most of the time? No, little one. I want to be able to reach you whenever I want.” His tone carried an undercurrent of something deeper than mere preference-in his world, being unreachable could mean being unreachable

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475 Chapter 71 Shadows in Morning

forever.

“You hardly ever call me anyway,” I pointed out, my tone more accusatory than intended. “And you can always call me at Thorne Group.”

His eyes sparkled with amusement, though I caught a flicker of something else-guilt, perhaps. “Are you complaining that I don’t call enough?”

“Yes, I am!” I declared boldly, making his smile widen despite the tension I could sense beneath his relaxed facade.

“Does my little one miss me?” he teased, clearly enjoying this, but I noticed how his shoulders remained rigid even in play.

“More than I should,” I admitted, growing irritated with his smugness while simultaneously worried about the shadows I glimpsed behind his confident

exterior.

He moved the breakfast tray to the nightstand with practiced efficiency and shifted closer to me, his movements carrying the fluid grace of a predator even in tenderness. “How much do you miss me?” he asked, rubbing his nose against mine in a gesture so gentle it contrasted starkly with the calluses on his hands that spoke of harder pursuits than paperwork.

I decided to be honest. “The days feel endless. Most of the time I think about skipping classes just to get home earlier, jump into your lap and beg you to make love to me.”

His smile grew, but I couldn’t help adding, “Why don’t you ever call to ask if I miss you? To ask if I want you?”

“Why don’t you call me to tell me these things?” he countered. “I’d love hearing you say that every day.”

“Because whenever I do call, you’re too busy to talk,” I replied, unable to hide my disappointment. “Always in meetings, always dealing with something urgent that you can’t discuss.”

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His body tensed immediately, the smile vanishing as if I’d struck him. “Oh, my beautiful… His voice was faced with genuine distress. “I…”

“It’s okay,” I backtracked quickly, recognizing the pain that flashed across his features. “I understand your work is complicated. You can’t always answer, and you have many responsibilities.” I knew better than most that his duties as a Senior Inspector required constant attention, balancing the fragile line between the black and white worlds.

He pressed his forehead against mine and sighed deeply, as if fighting an internal battle that had been consuming him for weeks. When he met my eyes again, they were filled with sadness and something that looked dangerously close to fear. “My little one, I’m sorry. I know things are confusing right now, but please don’t give up on me. Things will go back to normal as soon as…” He stopped abruptly, his jaw clenching.

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