The Mafia Dons Pet (Masha and Luciano) novel Chapter 12

Chapter 12: Push and Pull. *Luciano*

Masha said nothing, only glared at me as if she expected me to shrivel up and die from her gaze. Done with the conversation, I grabbed her hand, pulling her firmly back into the party, weaving through the crowd until we reached Emma.

Kol was still by her side, looking at me with raised brows as I came to a stop before them.

Without hesitation, I leveled my gaze at Emma.

“No more dresses like this for her,” I said flatly, my hand still wrapped tightly around Msha’s wrist.

Kol shifted, clearly surprised, his smile faltering as he glanced between the two of us.

Emma raised her chin the same way Masha did. “Luciano, the dress is fine. Masha looks beautiful in it.‘

I glared at her. Why do women never listen?

“Emma, I’m telling you. This is the last time.”

Her expression wavered, and after a beat, she lowered her head, her tone softening as she said, “Fine. I’m sorry, Luciano. It won’t happen again.

Satisfied, I nodded at her. Now that that problem was solved, I could finally get a drink. Not willing to let Masha out of my sight, I tugged her with me to the bar… reluctantly.

She stayed quiet, although I could feel her simmering beneath the surface.

Once we reached the bar, I ordered a glass of whiskey. It was just what I needed after this ‘argument‘ with… well everyone. But I wasn’t going to let Masha go thirsty for the rest of the night. So, I turned to her, making sure to soften my tone. “Do you want something to drink?”

I expected her to nod and quietly tell me what she wanted. Instead, she rolled her eyes as if I’d annoyed her.

“You’ve been dragging me around all night in these high heels,” she complained, pouting, “If I’d known you wouldn’t let me be, I would’ve just worn sneakers.‘

She shifted her weight, clearly irritated by the heels, but somehow she still managed to glare at me.

For some reason, her smart mouth doesn’t stoke my temper but instead eases the tension in my body.

And it makes me want to kiss her. Fuck.

Chapter 12: Push and Pull.

“Water, please” she waved her hand again at him and smiled. The bartender paused as he saw her. He nodded, turning to get her drink.

I almost snap at her not to smile at the fucking man, but bite the order back.

My eyes raked down her body, staring at that damn dress that emphasized everything that was maddeningly perfect about her.

The urge to run my hands across the sinful fabric surged through me.

But I gritted my teeth, forcing my gaze away from her body to her fingers, which tapped idly on the bar, oblivious to my inner turmoil.

Before I could think, I reached out and took her hand in mine, turning it over, my thumb brushing across her knuckles.

It was so soft, so beautiful, so… her. If I was trying to distract myself by taking her hand, I’d failed woefully.

“Your hand… it’s so small,” I murmured, unable to help myself. She looked up at me, surprise in her eyes.

For the first time since I’d known her, she had nothing to say, and just nodded slightly, as if she hadn’t expected the comment. The bartender finally dropped a glass of whiskey in front of me, and I wasted no time in taking a sip. I glanced around the room, trying to shake off the awkward moment between Masha and

That’s when I spotted Ivan, standing just a few feet away. He was dressed in a white suit, silver hair shining under the warm light of the chandelier, cigarette in one hand as he pushed his protruding belly through the crowd.

“Come,” I said simply, keeping Masha’s hand securely in mine and walked over to him. “Ivan,” I greeted, offering a firm nod. “Congratulations. Many more years to you.

He chuckled.

“This old man can only dream. Hoping this won’t be my last.” He laughed harder, placing a hand on his belly. “How’s your father? Having a swell time on his honeymoon?”

I took a sip of my drink. “He is. Spoke to him the other day. Says Ibiza is beautiful this time of the year.

”

Ivan vibrated with laughter. But then he squinted, touching his glasses slightly as if just noticing Masha.

“Masha,” I offered, gesturing to her, “she’s my…”

“Your stepsister,” he added for me. Ivan’s eyes softened, recognizing her. “Jimson mentioned.

”

Chapter 12: Push and Pull.

this time, and somehow I wished to see the look on Luciano’s face when he found out I’d escaped his ‘highly–trained‘ body- guards.

Without glancing back, I headed straight for the park.

As I passed the intersection, I remembered the last time I’d been to the park. How he’d had Matt and Tyler drag me into his SUV in the middle of traffic.

I should hate him, I’d even told him as much. But I didn’t. If I did, my thoughts wouldn’t revolve around him so much. I would be‘ thinking about other things, happier things.

My mind kept circling back to him even as I walked into the park. I tossed my bag under the shade of a tree and settled down beside it.

I’d come here to escape everything about Luciano and his world, yet I couldn’t stop thinking about him.

What was it about him though?

He was intimidating, there was no question about it. The man had this way of looking at me, of saying and doing things that kept my guard up.

But he confused me.

I knew he fully intended on making my life a living hell, but…