The Mafia Dons Pet (Masha and Luciano) novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18: A Different Man.

*Masha*

It all made sense now. The protective stunt he’d pulled earlier, the knowing look on Melina’s face, all of it made sense.

I didn’t know how to react. I hesitated, before giving Mike a tight smile. “I’ve got to shoot more footage tomorrow,” I said, hoping it might gently steer him away.

But his eyes lit up instead.

“I’ll come with you,” he offered, almost too quickly.

I forced myself to nod, swallowing the sigh that threatened to escape. I knew what I was going to say next, even if I didn’t want to.

The last thing I wanted was for things to get awkward. “Sure. We can meet at the coffee shop. Nine o’clock.”

He smiled like I’d just handed him the world. “Sounds perfect.” He turned and nodded at where Matt and Tyler stood. “Would they come too?”

It was hard, but I fought to keep my lips curled up in a purely platonic way, hoping he’d read the situation correctly. I forced a nod as I said, “Yeah, they’ll be around.

I didn’t need to glance over my shoulder to know Matt’s sharp eyes were still on me. They always were.

Mike grinned again, satisfied, and we finalized the plan before parting ways.

I walked back to my apartment, Matt in front of me, Tyler behind. But for the first time since they’d started following me around, I barely noticed them.

I couldn’t stop thinking about…him.

It’s been over ten days since I’d last seen Luciano. Over ten days since he’d yelled at me to get out of his study. Ten days since I’d cum on his study table.

I wasn’t sure how tonight would play out, and I didn’t know if I wanted to find out.

Ever since that ‘kiss‘ in his office, the one I hadn’t been able to stop replaying in my head, things had felt unsteady. Like the ground could crumble beneath me at any second.

But I had to face him, whether I liked it or not.

Hours later, I stood in front of Luciano’s house. Luciano would be pleased to know that I’d arrived on time for once.

Chapter 18: A Different Man.

I smoothed the fabric of my dress, as if the single act would smooth over my nerves.

The dress I’d chosen for tonight was simple, soft, dark blue with a cinched waist that felt just formal enough. I’d wisely avoided any slits or bare back’s.

Still, the dress hugged my figure perfectly, and I knew that Luciano would be pleased.

The hem danced around my ankles as I adjusted the ponytail I’d tied my hair into earlier. A few strands had escaped, brushing against my neck in the light breeze.

My strappy heels clicked softly against the stone path leading to the door. As I reached the entrance, I glanced at my reflection in the polished glass.

I looked elegant, graceful, a look I never thought would work for me. The ponytail framed my face in a way that made me seem more composed than I felt.

The silk material swooshed as I moved, making me look like I belonged at these kinds of events.

I clutched my tiny purse that could only fit my phone and my red lipstick. I walked into the house, my eyes traveling through the crowd of unfamiliar faces, until they landed on Emma, who looked beautiful in a pristine white dress.

“Wow, you look amazing,” she gushed the moment I stopped in front of her. “Come, you look too beautiful for my eyes alone. She took my hand and led me deeper into the sea of people.

I trailed behind Emma, sticking close since I didn’t know anyone else here. She seemed at ease, gliding through the crowd, offering polite laughs and handshakes.

I, on the other hand, felt like a misplaced puzzle piece, my eyes moving from one unfamiliar face to the next.

But with every face I stared at, I didn’t see those sets of dark eyes, accompanied with that signature scowl. All the men were either too short to be him, or smiled too brightly.

I couldn’t find Luciano. I’d been searching for him subconsciously, and was a bit disappointed that he wasn’t weaving through the crowd, marching towards me to grab my arm like he always did.

Eventually we stopped in front of a poised woman with flawless makeup. She had honey–blonde hair, and looked like she just waltzed out of a vogue magazine.

Emma leaned in toward the woman, giving her air kisses. “Masha, this is Yve.”

Yve smiled, sharp and polished, like she’d perfected the art of being flawlessly beautiful.

“Pleasure,” I murmured, shaking her hand and offering a small smile. But my attention wasn’t on Yve or the elegant guests

Chapter 18: A Different Man.

around us.

My eyes kept scanning the room, searching for Luciano. But I couldn’t find him anywhere.

After another hour had passed, I accepted that he wasn’t coming. Maybe he didn’t want to see me after all, and I’d been nervous for nothing.

Disappointed, I turned to face Emma. “I think I’ll…”

A large, rough hand landed on the small of my back, cutting me off. It sent a familiar rush of emotions through me, and I turned, catching the scent of his cologne.

That was when I saw his face. He looked just as handsome as ever, maybe even more so.

The sight of him tugged at my heart, making me think that I wasn’t as prepared to face him as I thought I was.

Luciano slipped effortlessly between Emma and me. “Ladies,“. he said smoothly, dark eyes flickering between us. He pressed a kiss to Emma’s forehead, his hand still firmly on my back. “You both look stunning tonight.‘

His voice was low, rich, and far too casual for the Luciano I knew.

“Oh,” Yve squealed excitedly, dragging my attention. I’d almost forgotten she was still there. The look in her eyes as she stared up at Luciano told me everything I needed to know.

She leaned in closer to him, her smile brighter, her tone silkier. “Luciano, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, stretching out her perfectly manicured hand as if she were trying to wrap him up in her charm.

But Luciano didn’t even glance her way. His eyes locked on me instead.

“Masha,” he said, his voice steady. “I need to talk to you.”

Before I could respond, he was guiding me out of the room with a gentle hand on my arm. We ended up in the hallway, the noise of the event fading behind us.

I glanced at him, trying to read his expression, but he revealed nothing.

He towered over me, his hand still wrapped firmly around my arm. “Matt told me you’re going on a date tomorrow.

A date? What was he talking about? It took me a moment to piece together what he meant, and I almost laughed.

“You mean Mike? It’s not a date, it’s for a project. And he’s just my friend.” I added that last bit for Mike’s benefit.

Luciano’s brows furrowed slightly, and I knew he didn’t fully believe me. “Cancel it.”

I blinked, not sure I’d heard him right. “Why?”

Chapter 18: A Different Man.

He let out a weary sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Tonight is not the time for this, Masha. Just… do as I say.”

I wanted to argue, but I found myself nodding before I could think better of it. “Fine.

He stepped back slightly, his gaze softening for a moment. “When things aren’t so busy, I’ll find time to talk to you about… before.”

‘Before,‘ that’s how we referred to it now.

I nodded, but the truth was, I didn’t know if I wanted to have that conversation or not.

His scent surrounded me when he leaned closer. Before I could stop myself, I breathed him in, savoring him like a guilty pleasure.

Then his lips brushed against my forehead, soft and deliberate. My eyes fluttered shut at the gentle gesture.

I looked up at him, wondering if my eyes were betraying me. If my eyes were saying how much I wanted him, how intense those feelings were getting.

If he decided to try again like before, I wouldn’t stop him. I’d let him take me, even here in this hallway, with the rest of the world just a few steps away.

But then he pulled back, his warmth leaving as he straightened to his full height. He said nothing, just turned and walked

away.

For a moment, I stood, frozen, my chest tightening in a way I couldn’t explain.

Today, he seemed… different. Still overbearing and demanding, yes, but no longer the aggressive man I was used to. He was a lot calmer today.

Don’t get your hopes up, I reminded myself. Maybe he’s just too tired to argue. Maybe this is just temporary, and maybe the next time I see him, he’ll be back to being the big, bad, Luciano Vincenzoni.