The Mafia Dons Pet (Masha and Luciano) novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24: A Simple Favor.

Masha pov

I tossed the empty cup in the trash once I drained the last of my latte, practically walking in the middle of four scary–looking

men.

Once I got back to my apartment, I opened my laptop, trying to do some work before I;d have to head over to the Vincenzoni house.

I stared at the screen, my fingers hovering over the keys. I had to edit the footage for my project, but my thoughts refused to stay in one place.

Instead, they drifted back to last night.

The darkness had made it easier for us. Easier to give in to Luciano, easier for me to forget that there would be consequences.

My stomach tightened at the thought of lunch in a couple of hours. I could practically hear the clock ticking, filling me with dread.

Facing him at night was one thing, but in the daylight, when I couldn’t hide my expressions, when his dark eyes would stare me down; that was a whole different ball gamé.

In the night, we spoke with only our bodies. But now? There would be actual words, glances, glares.

I shut the laptop with a snap, resigning myself to the fact that I wasn’t going to get anything done. I couldn’t seem to

concentrate.

I glanced at the clock. It was almost lunch time, meaning that it was almost time to face Luciano.

I tidied up quickly, brushing my hair and pulling on a simple, decent blue dress. Maybe this was my chance to talk it out with Luciano and lay it all out on the table, and then let it go.

The guard led me through the hallway toward the dining room. My fingers twitched at my sides, as I tried to remind myself that I needed to stay calm.

As we approached the room, I heard Emma’s giggles, light and carefree. Before we could step in, I turned to see Luciano standing by the entrance of his study.

He wore a simple white shirt, with dark linen pants, looking just as handsome as the last time I saw him. His posture was rigid, but his eyes were as sharp as ever.

“Masha,” he called. “Come in.”

Chapter 24: A Simple Favor.

Without hesitating, I stepped into the room, reciting all the things I wanted to say to him in my head.

A man I didn’t recognize was sitting casually in one of the armchairs, his legs crossed. He looked like Luciano, only a smoother, less menacing version of him.

“This is Glade, my cousin,” Luciano offered.

I frowned. His cousin? When did his cousin start attending family lunch?

Whatever this was, it wasn’t the private conversation I’d been hoping for.

Luciano’s gaze didn’t waver as he gestured to the chair beside Glade. “Sit.” I nodded.

The chair creaked faintly as I lowered myself into it, my lips pulling into a strained smile I didn’t quite feel. My heart beat faster than I wanted it to, and I fought to keep my hands steady in my lap.

His face was unreadable and he walked over to his desk leaning against it. He opened his mouth, and dropped a bomb on me. “Glade has agreed to marry you.”

For a moment, my mind went completely blank, like his words hadn’t registered. And then, Jimson’s words from that first family dinner came back to me.

Everything hit me all at once.

This couldn’t be happening. Luciano couldn’t be serious. He couldn’t really expect me to just go along with this.

But he continued, as if he hadn’t noticed my silence, or maybe he just didn’t care. “Since Glade’s business in Vancouver is wrapping up, he’ll be returning to Greece soon.

He paused, looking me dead in the eyes. “Your wedding will be next Saturday.

The air felt heavy, too thick to breathe, the room tilted slightly; it felt like I’d been hit with a million blows all at once.

I pushed against the chair’s arms, trying to stand, but my knees buckled, and I crumpled to the floor. My pulse rumpled in my ears, drowning out everything but the hammering of my heart. “It’s an order,” he barked at me. But I wasn’t about to let him win.

Still in shock, I pulled myself to my feet, looking Luciano in his eyes. “No.”

His fist slammed down onto the desk, the sharp crack making me flinch. “You will comply.” His tone was a thunderclap of anger, meant to intimidate me into giving in.

I shook my head furiously, my breath hitching. Without thinking, I turned on my heel and bolted for the door.

Chapter 24: A Simple Favor.

Luciano yelled behind me, but I didn’t stop. I ran past the hallway, rushing out of the house. I burst through the front doors, sprinting toward the parked SUV.

Before I could reach it, a strong hand clamped around my arm, yanking me back.

“Let me go!” I screamed, tears streaming down my cheeks. I twisted in his grip, my hand striking out. My palm stung as it connected with his face. “You bastard! I’ll never marry Glade!” Luciano’s jaw tightened, his grip firm and painful. “You don’t have a choice,” he said, his voice now quieter but no less firm. “You will do as I say.

I knew he meant it, Luciano had done everything he’d said he’d do so far. Maybe if I begged he wouldn’t do this to me. Maybe he would take pity on me and let me go.

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