Hunted by a Shadow (Kings of Mafia #3)

by Michelle Heard

“Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.” –— Lucius Annaeus Seneca

What is life if it’s not filled with hopes and dreams? What’s left when all possibilities have been stripped from it? It’s morbid and soul-destroyingly tiring.

What happens when you die? Is there a heaven, or is it like before you were born, where everything is just black?

Whenever I think something is too hard or impossible to handle, I somehow manage to overcome it. It’s the same with dying. In the end, I’ve made peace with what’s coming, so I don’t lose my mind.

When I’m gone, I want him to remember my smiles and not my tears.

Pressing my forehead to his, the unbearable pain of losing my brother makes it feel like my soul is hemorrhaging. In my line of work, I’ve experienced loss before, but nothing like this.

Leaning down, I press a kiss to his forehead, then whisper, “Addio, fratello. Ti vendicherò.”

Unresolved anger is like cancer. It fucking spreads and destroys everything in its path.

“Stop calling her beautiful,” Renzo suddenly growls, something possessive in his tone.

She never talks unless I demand a response from her, and dark circles have formed beneath her eyes which have lost their sparkle. Even when I threaten her, they don’t shimmer with fear anymore.

My little captive might just turn out to be my downfall if I’m not careful.

Her tone is soft as she pleads, “I’m not sure I can hold back the tears when I see him. Please don’t hurt him.” Fuck, she’s asking permission to cry, and it hits me square in the chest.

Pulling her inside the dusty room, I don’t let go of her hand and tug her closer. Her head tilts back, her eyes sparkling like they used to. Just the thought of spending time with her father is enough to breathe life back into her gaze. I’ve missed that fucking sparkle.

Renzo is your enemy. Never forget that. You’re just making him care, so he’ll let you go. This is all part of the plan.

You're on your way to stockholm syndrome. I can see it from a mile away.

He leans down a little. “And right now, I’m thinking about forcing you to marry me so you can give me the heir I lost. After all, I’m stuck with you for life. I might as well get something out of it.”

Kissing her was not planned, and it only left me wanting more. Remembering how she melted beneath me and kissed me back with a fuck ton of passion, the corner of my mouth lifts. She might not like me, but she sure as fuck is attracted to me.

“The one where you think flirting with me will make me care enough to let you go.” My eyes flick to hers. “I’m not that kind of man. If you make me love you, there’s no fucking way I’ll let you go. You’re fighting a losing battle.”

you kill without blinking?” “Easy,” I murmur. “Just because I don’t hesitate to kill anyone who crosses me doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the beautiful things in life.” I keep her gaze imprisoned as I continue, “You’ve seen the worst of me. I lost my brother, the person who I loved more than anything. You’re seeing the pain, the rage, the fucking relentless thirst for vengeance.”

“Just one taste,” he growls. That was way more than just a taste. “That’s all it took.” His expression turns grim as he pulls his hand from between my legs, then he says, “Careful, mia topolina, you’re making me fall in love with you.”

His features are cut from stone as he says, “Don’t you dare make this awkward. I made you come, and you loved it. Own it.”

I’m dead sure if I let Skylar go, I’ll never see her again. She might be attracted to me, but it doesn’t mean shit. In her eyes, I’m the villain. I have to somehow change her opinion of me. I have to make her see I’m not just a killer and capo.

In Skylar’s darkest moment, I realize I’ve fallen for her. Hopelessly, irrevocably, madly in fucking love.

“You’re not fine, and I want you checked out. If your body rejects the kidney because of this, I’ll fucking burn the world down. Think of having the checkup as you saving mankind from extinction.”

“She had to watch as you killed him,” I hiss as I hold the knife ready over his stomach. “And I had to watch as she fucking broke.”

By taking my bloody hand, she stepped into my world and left her own behind.

Before this moment, I would’ve taken Skylar any way I could have her, but now I want her love. I want her to want me, and I’m not sure that will happen.

“You’re mine, amo,” I groan. “You’re fucking mine, and I’m never letting you go.”

“Skylar.” I give her a pleading look, which isn’t something I do easily. “There’s nothing wrong with you loving me, and I’ll never use it against you. You’re safe with me.”

A devastating smile curves his lips, and happiness fills his eyes. “Thank you, amo. I know I haven’t made it easy for you, but thank you for loving me anyway.”

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I stare up at him. “Thank you for being so amazing.” He kisses my lips, then says, “You make me want to be amazing.”

“Please be careful.” I wrap my arms around him before he can walk away. “I won’t survive losing you as well.”

It’s a sad day when your own men turn on you.