Seduced by the Mafia Boss (Forbidden Confessions 8)

At first glance, I assume the casino hides their security cameras there. Now I suspect it’s hiding people, too.

My heart pounds. Even though I’m standing in the midst of a crowd, I suddenly feel as if I’m in danger.

Quickly, I dash off a text with my location and situation to Sophie Larsen, my bestie since grade school—not to mention one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. It would be better if she was in Vegas, too, and I doubt she’s still awake to look at her phone, but she’s the only person I trust one hundred percent. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s married to a small-town police chief. Rand is the perfect guy for her—protective, smart, brave, and badass…yet totally caring. He’s head-over-heels for Soph, who feels the same about him. I’m happy for them both.

Too bad Ridge wasn’t anything like his big brother.

He was a one-night mistake I’ve been hoping to forget. Unfortunately, that’s impossible. I’ll have to figure out how to deal with that later. Sammie first.

Suddenly, I spot a pair of suits heading in my direction, one tall and round and looking as if the lights upstairs aren’t quite on. The other is on the diminutive side, but with a tough-guy demeanor that says he means business. They’re wearing identical scowls. Instantly, I know they’re coming for me.

I glance around for someplace to escape, but it’s a dead end. They’ve got me cornered.

“Miss.” The big one settles his hand around my elbow. “You need to come with us.”

Not happening. “Why? I haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just looking for someone.”

“While harassing our employees and disturbing other guests,” Shortie barks.

“Then I’ll leave.” I try to yank my arm from the tall lug’s grasp.

He’s not budging.

Shortie leans into my face. “You’ll come with us. We have a few things to say.”

“People know where I am,” I blurt. It’s almost true.

That gives the tall one pause. He looks to Shortie for answers.

The smaller, meaner man shrugs. “We just want to have a conversation, miss. You’ll be out of here in ten minutes.”

My BS meter is pealing. “I’m not going anywhere with you. If you want me to move from this spot, you’ll have to carry me out and I will scream at the top of my lungs.”

“I don’t advise making this more difficult.”

“Or what?”

“We might have some information about the girl you’re looking for. We’d rather not discuss it on the floor. Do you want it or not?”

If I wasn’t suspicious that they had something to do with Sammie’s disappearance, sure. “Whatever you have to tell me, you can say right here.”

The tall one gets impatient, crushing my elbow with his meaty fingers. “Look, bitch—”

“Rudy, get your hand off the lady. Sal, shut up. I’ll take it from here.”

At the sound of that familiar voice, head-to-toe chills cover me. I wanted to hear it again. I’ve needed to. Heck, I’ve ached to. But I didn’t expect to hear it here. I especially didn’t expect him to know these two thugs who might have had something to do with my cousin’s disappearance.

Gasping, I stare into the face of the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen, Ridge Garrison. I remember every minute I spent with him, every inch of his skin, every tattoo, every glance from his dark eyes, every kiss he pressed to my mouth, and every orgasm he gave me.

He looks right through me like I’m a stranger.

“Get lost, Rafael,” Shortie sneers. “We got her. And we know what to do.”

Rafael?

He raises a thick, dark brow. “I said to get your hand off her. I outrank you boys, and the boss put me in charge. Step away.”

What the hell is going on? I want to scream at Ridge. Nine weeks ago, he left my bed before I woke—without saying goodbye. He never called. He never asked about me. He just walked away like I didn’t matter at all. But instinct and this power struggle I don’t understand between him and the two thugs tell me to shut my mouth…for now.

“Paulie will hear about this,” Shortie finally snaps.

“I don’t care, Sal. Get the fuck out of my face. And if you want to keep yours looking the way it is, stay out.”

“When you least expect it, I’m going to double-tap you in the head, Harvard.”

Ridge looks unmoved by that threat. “You don’t have an army big enough for that. And the boss would rip you a new asshole. You and your lapdog go.” He gestures them away with a wave of his long, capable fingers. “Before I decide to make this ugly.”

Sal turns to the big guy with a jerk of his head. Rudy gives me one last squeeze that I know will leave bruises, then releases me with a leer that promises he’s not done touching me yet.