The Woman at the Docks (Grassi Framily)

Because rationality was what this situation required.

I couldn't just go around sleeping with high-ranking members of the Cosa Nostra.

For God's sake.

Even thinking of it should have been absurd, impossible.

Yet here we were.

Here I was.

Wondering what Luca's lips would feel like on my neck, my shoulder blade, my breast, my stomach, my inner thigh. What his weight would feel like pressing me into the mattress. If he would be as uncontrolled in bed as he was with a simple kiss.

All those thoughts continued to assault me even as I tried to remind myself that it was a bad idea, it could screw up an already tense situation, and doing so could hinder my ability to find and save my sister

That couldn't happen.

Which meant Luca and I couldn't happen either.

Now someone just needed to get that message to my poor body. Because it clearly wasn't getting the memo.

On a sigh, I climbed back out of bed, moving through the quiet house. It was deceptively quiet, though, because I knew there were armed guards around, even if I couldn't see them.

The remnants of our impromptu card game had been cleaned up.

A bottle of whiskey was on the center of the table with a bow and note on it.

Curious, I made my way over, finding quick, sloppy handwriting.

Without knowing, I knew it was either Matteo or Lucky.

Went and stole this from the restaurant. I think you need it. - M.

I felt a smile tug at my lips.

I was a guest here.

And hospitality didn't mean you took as freely as

you wished. Especially of things meant for someone else.

That said, I was pretty sure the only thing that could help my current predicament was a stiff drink.

I grabbed a plastic cup from the kitchen, pouring myself a generous cup.

I didn't like whiskey.

I didn't like any hard liquor.

At least not straight.

But desperate times...

I threw it back, coming up spitting as it burned all the way down.

"Gross," I declared as I poured myself another—much smaller—cup, hoping that it would help me sleep, if nothing else.

I had thought Luca had come home already, but then the door flew open, making my stomach drop for a second until he came in.