Sweet Temptation by Cora Reilly

into a panic attack. What if something happened to him? What would I do with
two small children, a huge house, and a slightly twisted dog?
“It’s only a shallow cut. I’ll survive.”
I laughed but it sounded forced. Once the wound was freed from the confines
of his shirt, Cassio dropped the ruined garment on the floor. “I can handle this.”
He took a first aid kit from a cupboard beneath the sink.
“Won’t you tell me what happened?”
He cleaned his wound but when I didn’t look away, he sighed. “I’m not sure
you should know the details of my business.”
“I’m part of your life, so let me be a part of it.”
The hesitation remained in his eyes. He looked down to his wound and
patched it up with butterfly strips. “Luca’s been dealing with traitors as well as
an MC that’s been giving us trouble.”
At the confused look on my face, he added, “Motorcycle club. They’re
stronger in the south, especially Texas, New Mexico, and Florida, but chapters
have been popping up around here. Luca asked me to see what the local chapter
was up to. We captured one, a strong fighter. He got me with his knife.”
“Why would you get involved in this? Why don’t you send your men to deal
with this? My father would never risk his life in an attack.”
Cassio smiled ironically. “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 shook my head. “That’s how people get killed.”
“Are you worried about me?”
I wrapped my arm around his middle and pressed my cheek to his chest.
“Promise me to be more careful.”
“I’m always careful.”
“The wound tells a different story.”
“Let’s get you into bed now. It’s—”
Simona’s cry rang from the speakers. “No bed for me.”
Cassio pressed his palm to my lower back and nudged me toward the bed.
“You go to sleep and I’ll handle Simona.”
“You need to rest—”
“No. Let me handle her.”
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.
“All right.” I sank down on the bed, feeling completely drained. Cassio
kissed me briefly before he headed for the nursery.
I’d grown up in the mafia world. Death and danger were constant
companions, but Dad had never come home injured. He knew how to stay out of
trouble and let others risk their lives for him. I admired Cassio for his bravery.
Yet at the same time, I wished he were a coward like Dad so he’d be safe. For his
children… and me.