Sweet Temptation

by Cora Reilly

Daniele push the animal images in the picture book alongside Simona.

The cacophony of meows, mooohs, and woof-woofs caused them to laugh.

I leaned back with a smile. Every day, they captured ...

What would I do with two small children, a huge house, and a slightly twisted dog?

“That’s why your father isn’t the best Underboss. If you want your men’s loyalty, you have to show them that you’re willing to fight at their side.”

I realized he needed to do it, to hold his little daughter. Maybe it was his way to remind himself of the good in this world.

Daniele’s hand and put it on Loulou’s back. Her ears twitched in curiosity and her eyes opened a bit more. Slowly, I moved Daniele’s hand along her side, staying away from her head for now because I’d read that dogs often felt threatened by a touch there. Loulou’s eyes drooped once more as she enjoyed the caresses. “See? You have to be careful. Loulou is small. Don’t tug at her ears or tail, all right?”

Daniele nodded, watching his hand on the fur, mesmerized.

Maybe we were on the r...

Even Cassio had stopped complaining about Loulou. Simona allowed me to calm her at night often now, which gave Cassio the chance to sleep mor...

“You treat me like a nanny and whore, Cassio. I deserve better.”

“I would never treat you like a whore,”

“You are my wife and I want you. If I remember correctly, yo...

“That doesn’t mean I don’t need us to form an emotional bond as well. I thought we were on a good path, but now you’re pulling back again. Is it really just because of your workload or is it something else?”

“I’m trying to make sure you and my kids are safe. I need to be in absolute control of my city to guarantee your safety.”

I saw it was from Christian, telling me he was in the area and wanted to visit. I hadn’t seen him since the wedding.

“Your uncle’s coming to visit,”

Daniele’s eyes grew wide, a mix of shock and hope marking his face. His reaction surprised me. Cassio only had sisters.

“Of course you’d keep the dog.”

Daniele stared at my brother then turned around and rushed upstairs.

She growled at Ch...

We really needed to work on her treatm...

Christian came in and hugged me with one arm, trying not to crush Simona, who made a sound of protest at his closeness.

Loulou followed close behind, never letting Christian out of her sight. She was brave, I had to give her that.

“I know that Cassio doesn’t want people to rummage in his past, especially where Gaia is concerned, and I think you should respect his wish.”

“To protect him or me?”

“Both… and those kids too.”

He motioned at Simona, who squeezed a stuffed unicorn that laughed shrilly every time she did, causing her to giggle too. Her eyes flashed with joy as she gazed at me.

“Sometimes the dark comes out when it shouldn’t.”

“What the fuck are you doing here?” Cassio snarled.

“Cassio, what are you doing? Stop it! Stop it, please!”

“What the fuck are you doing alone with my wife?”

“Cassio, have you lost your mind? That’s my brother! Let him go now!”

“Please, I beg you, let him go. Whatever you think is going on, it’s not!”

Cassio didn’t react. Shuffling sounded in the corridor. I glanced toward the door but didn’t see anything. Cassio froze following my gaze. It had to be Daniele.

Cassio released Christian abruptly and shot to his feet, hiding the knife behind his back a moment before D...

“Is that why Andrea disappeared?” Christian pressed out.

A fierce pain burned my arm and I cried out.

“There’s nowhere you can hide if I find out you betrayed me, Christian. Even Baltimore won’t be your safe haven if I want you dead.”

you hurt Giulia, I’ll find and kill you, Cassio.”

What remained was blatant distrust and a hint of guilt.

“Does it matter? You were the one who started the fight. You lost control. You told me I’d never have reason to flinch from you. Today you proved your own words wrong.”

“If you don’t tell me why, I’ll have to assume you had to wash away proof of what you did before.”

“Simona puked all over me, that’s why I showered. If you don’t believe me, check the washing machine. I didn’t have time to turn it on yet.”

released me and actually disappeared from view. I couldn’t believe him. I hopped off the

“I can’t believe you thought I cheated on you with my brother. That’s what you thought, right?”

“You should trust me, Cassio, but instead of doing that, you’re so blinded by jealousy that you even suspect my brother to have an affair with me. How sick is that? You are surrounded by beautiful willing women in your clubs all the time, and I never accuse you of sleeping with them, much less of sleeping with your sisters for God’s sake!”

“Why would I cheat with any of those women? All I can think about is you.”

“No. Don’t touch me. Not now. I need answers. If you refuse to tell me the truth, then I can’t have sex with you.”

Eventually, Cassio released him, and Daniele hurried toward me, hugging my legs.