Chapter 6 - Peeling Back Layers
The ride back to the penthouse was quiet, but the air between us was electric.
I kicked off my heels as soon as we entered the apartment, letting out a massive sigh of relief.
"You didn't have to destroy his career," I said softly, looking out at the city lights.
Vincent poured us some tea this time and handed me a warm mug.
"I protect what is mine," he answered simply.
"But I'm not yours," I reminded him, my heart beating a little faster.
"We signed a fake dating contract, remember?"
Vincent stepped closer, his dark eyes stripping away all my defenses.
"Do you really think I kiss random women to prove a point?" he asked.
I looked down at my mug, the memory of his lips still burning on mine.
"Then why did you do it?" I challenged him.
He gently lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his intense gaze.
"I've watched you for months, Emily," he confessed, his voice dropping to a rough whisper.
"I saw how you smiled at exhausted customers, how you gave your own lunch to the homeless guy outside."
I swallowed hard, shocked that a man like him noticed such small things.
"I saw a woman with a beautiful soul being crushed by a pathetic boy," he continued.
"I didn't kiss you out of pity. I kissed you because I had been wanting to do it since the first day I saw you."
My breath caught in my throat.
The big, scary mafia boss wasn't playing a game at all.
He was laying his cards on the table, offering me a real place by his side.
"I come with a lot of baggage, Vincent," I warned him softly.
"I have enough money to buy an airport, Emily," he smiled.
May you like
"We can handle your baggage together."
For the first time in years, I felt genuinely safe.
