Silken Chains: Dark Mafia Romance by Catalina Snow

Author:Catalina Snow [Snow, Catalina]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-10-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Gabriel

I sit at the café, one eye on the door and the other on the street. My men stand in strategic positions around the block; I've ramped up security since I started doubting my father's activities and the shadowy past of his fiancée. I'm keenly aware of every car that passes and every pedestrian that walks by. But the moment Bella walks in, the rest of the world blurs out.

She's wearing casual clothes, a simple T-shirt and jeans, but all I can see, all I can think about, is the woman underneath the fabric. My heart skips, and my lust for her reaches a feverish pitch. But I've played this game long enough to know when to keep my cards close.

I rise, pulling her into me. My lips meet hers in a kiss that says more than words ever could.

"You taste so sweet," I murmur against her lips.

She rolls her eyes, but blushes, and a coy smile dances on her lips. Just then, a server arrives. "What can I get for you?"

We order our drinks, and I lace my fingers with hers. "So, how did the interview go?"

She smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. That smile is off, and I know something's wrong. "Bella? What is it?"

She withdraws her hands and looks away. I watch her chest rise and fall as she takes a deep breath, and I try like hell to focus on anything but how much I want her.

She looks at me, and her eyes shimmer with unshed tears. "Gabriel, my parents—something serious is happening with them." She dives into the story, and all I can do is listen.

I lean back, dragging my fingers through my hair. "Bella. I don't even know what to say. That's a lot."

As much as I want to comfort her, I can't shake the feeling that I should've vetted her family by now. Especially considering the precarious situation I find myself in.

She wipes her eyes. "I should go to the restroom."

As she leaves, our drinks arrive. I pull out my phone and shoot a quick text to Paco. "Paco, I need Bella's family vetted. STAT."

I don't wait for a reply. The phone slips back into my pocket as my mind races, caught between the woman I crave and the underworld that desires chaos.

The atmosphere thickens with the night's intensity as Bella returns to the table. She sips her drink, but her eyes stay evasive. "What?" she finally asks, her cheeks a soft rose hue.

"Nothing," I say, holding back the words that want to tumble out. I'm just thinking about how I wish I could fix everything for her. "I'm admiring you and wondering what, if anything, I can do to help your predicament."

She stares into her drink, not meeting my gaze. "I don't think there's anything anyone can do. This is entirely up to them."

An idea sparks in my mind. "Bella?" I wait until her eyes lock onto mine. "This might sound crazy, and trust me, don't feel pressured. But what

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