Home / Mafia / The Mafia Man wants my Heart / CHAPTER 10: Into the fire

Share

CHAPTER 10: Into the fire

Author: Efita
last update Last Updated: 2025-03-29 17:04:00

The grand foyer stretched before me, a masterpiece of timeless elegance and quiet opulence. The floors were polished marble, smooth and gleaming beneath my feet, reflecting the soft glow of the golden chandelier hanging above. High ceilings made the space feel impossibly vast, and intricate crown moldings framed the room with refined detail.

A sweeping staircase curved to the second floor, its railing carved from dark mahogany, polished to perfection. The scent of leather, wood, and something distinctly Marco—masculine and expensive—filled the air.

I took a slow breath, trying not to seem too affected by the sheer grandeur surrounding me. This wasn’t just wealth. It was power, woven into every inch of the space.

Marco shut the door behind me, the quiet click echoing in the vast room. I felt his presence at my back, close but not touching.

“Come on,” he said smoothly, walking ahead. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.”

I followed him through the open archway that led into a sitting room, where plush armchairs and a leather sofa were arranged around a sleek fireplace. A decanter of amber liquid sat on a glass table, catching the light from the enormous windows that overlooked the estate grounds.

But Marco didn’t stop there. He glanced at me over his shoulder, his expression unreadable as he continued toward a set of dark double doors at the end of the hall.

My breath caught slightly.

His bedroom.

The realization sent a rush of heat through me, but I forced myself to remain composed. This was business, nothing more.

Still, my pulse thrummed as Marco pushed open the doors and gestured for me to step inside.

The room was just as luxurious as I’d expected—massive, with a California king bed draped in charcoal-gray sheets, a floor-to-ceiling window that bathed the space in soft, natural light, and dark, modern furniture that exuded quiet sophistication.

I swallowed, suddenly hyper-aware of how intimate this felt.

Marco leaned against the doorframe, watching me with something unreadable in his gaze.

“Relax, Mia,” he murmured, a smirk playing on his lips. “It’s just a room.”

Just a room.

And yet, standing here, alone with him, I wasn’t so sure.

I swallowed, my fingers tightening around the strap of my bag as I forced myself to focus.

It was just a room.

Just a meeting.

But with Marco standing there, watching me with that unreadable expression, the air felt… charged. Like something unspoken simmered just beneath the surface, waiting.

I cleared my throat, determined to keep this professional. “I—I brought the samples,” I said, pulling the bag from my shoulder and setting it down on the sleek, dark dresser.

My hands weren’t exactly steady as I unzipped it and pulled out the catalogs and a few carefully chosen books. But as I flipped through the pages, pointing out titles and educational materials, I realized something unsettling.

I couldn’t concentrate.

Not with Marco still so close.

His presence was impossible to ignore—solid, warm, undeniably male. And every time I turned a page, I was acutely aware of him standing beside me, his scent lingering in the air, his quiet scrutiny making my skin prickle.

I shifted, trying to put a little more space between us, but it didn’t help.

“Something wrong?” he asked smoothly, his voice a low, velvet tease.

I snapped my gaze up to his, finding amusement flickering in those piercing blue eyes. He knew.

Of course he knew.

Damn it.

I straightened my shoulders, refusing to let him see how much he affected me. “Nothing’s wrong,” I said, forcing a casual tone as I gestured to the open catalog. “These are some of the best options for the kids. I thought you might want to—”

Marco reached out, turning a page himself, and my words faltered.

Because suddenly, he was even closer.

Too close.

The warmth of his body, the way his arm brushed mine—it was subtle, but enough to make my breath hitch.

I swallowed hard, forcing my gaze back to the book. I just needed to get through this. Focus. Keep it professional.

But with every passing second, that was becoming increasingly difficult.

My pulse kicked up.

“That’s enough for now,” he murmured, his voice impossibly smooth.

I blinked. “But we haven’t—”

He turned, leaning against the dresser, his gaze steady on mine. “I trust your judgment, Mia. If you think these books are good for the kids, I’ll take them.”

I swallowed, hyper-aware of how close he was, how the rich scent of his cologne wrapped around me.

“You brought them all the way here,” he continued, tilting his head slightly. “I should at least make the trip worth your while.”

Something about the way he said it made my stomach flip.

“I—it’s fine,” I said quickly, ignoring the warmth creeping up my neck. “This is business, remember?”

A slow, knowing smirk curled on his lips. “Business.”

The way he said it made the word sound almost… filthy.

His fingers lifted, brushing a stray strand of hair behind my ear, lingering just a second too long. My breath caught.

“Relax, sweetheart.” His voice was a low murmur, his thumb barely grazing my jaw before he pulled back, leaving a trail of heat in his wake. “You’re tense.”

Of course I was tense. How could I not be when he was looking at me like that—like he was enjoying this game, like he knew exactly what he was doing to me?

“I’m fine,” I said, stepping back, needing space before I did something reckless.

Marco chuckled, the sound deep and amused. “If you say so.”

But the gleam in his eyes told me he wasn’t convinced.

And worse? Neither was I.

The air between us was thick, charged with something I wasn’t sure I had the strength to resist.

Marco didn’t move right away—he just watched me, his blue eyes darkening, like he was savoring the moment. Like he knew he had me exactly where he wanted me.

“Why so nervous, Mia?” he asked, his voice smooth, teasing.

“I’m not,” I lied, my voice barely above a whisper.

His smirk deepened. “Liar.”

His fingers brushed along my arm, the touch so light it sent a shiver down my spine. Slowly, he reached for the book I still held in my hands—the one I’d completely forgotten about—and took it from me, setting it aside without breaking eye contact.

I swallowed hard, my heartbeat drumming in my ears.

He was too close.

His scent—warm spice, leather, something undeniably masculine—wrapped around me, making it impossible to think straight.

Marco tilted his head slightly, his fingers trailing up my arm to my shoulder, his touch lazy, deliberate. “You know,” he mused, his voice deep, almost a purr, “I think you like being nervous around me.”

I exhaled sharply. “I don’t.”

Another lie.

His smirk was pure sin. “Then why haven’t you moved?”

I had no answer for that.

Marco’s gaze flicked down to my lips, his fingers tracing a slow, burning path up my neck until they rested just beneath my jaw.

I stopped breathing.

He leaned in, his mouth a whisper away from mine, his breath warm, teasing. I could feel the heat radiating from him, the way his presence filled every inch of the space between us.

My lips parted instinctively, waiting, anticipating—

And then he pulled back.

I blinked, dazed.

Marco smirked, his thumb grazing the corner of my mouth, as if he knew exactly how much I wanted him to kiss me.

“Relax, sweetheart,” he murmured, stepping back just enough to put distance between us.

I exhaled shakily, my body still thrumming with the expectation of something that never came.

My eyes narrowed. “You’re teasing me.”

Marco’s smirk deepened, his gaze locked onto mine. “Am I?”

Before I could respond, he moved again—quick, precise—his hand curling around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

And then, without hesitation, he kissed me.

Deep. Slow. Devastating.

The kind of kiss that stole the breath from my lungs and left my legs weak.

Marco’s grip on my waist tightened as his lips moved against mine, slow at first—teasing, controlled. But then something shifted.

His kiss turned urgent, hungry.

A deep sound rumbled in his chest, and when I opened my eyes for a split second, I saw the change in his expression. His smirk was gone. His usual control had cracked.

Now, his gaze burned with something raw. Dark.

Like he wanted to devour me whole.

His fingers slid up my back, threading into my hair as he angled my head, deepening the kiss. His tongue swept against mine, demanding, consuming. I barely had time to react before he pressed forward, guiding me backward.

I barely registered the sensation of soft sheets against my fingertips before I realized—

The bed.

My breath hitched as the back of my knees met the edge.

Marco didn’t stop.

He pressed closer, his body heat wrapping around me, his hands moving—one gripping my waist possessively, the other tracing fire along my skin.

I gasped against his lips, my heart hammering against my ribs.

He growled low in his throat, like he was barely restraining himself.

I felt dizzy. Weak. Completely at his mercy.

And yet, when his lips left mine, trailing down my jaw to the hollow of my throat, a single, breathless thought pushed through the haze in my mind.

This man was dangerous.

And I was completely, utterly trapped.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Related chapters

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 12: Hidden in the Dark

    MIA CRUZThe air crackled with tension, heavy and charged, wrapping around us like an unspoken promise. My breath came in uneven gasps, my pulse hammering against my ribs in a frantic rhythm. Marco’s fingers rested lightly on my waist, a touch that felt both possessive and teasing, his lips hovering just inches from mine. Every nerve in my body was aware of him—of his presence, his power, the quiet restraint in his stance. And yet, despite the space he left between us, I could feel it—the unmistakable heat radiating off his skin.His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, filled with something dark and unreadable. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, lazy and knowing.“You’re blushing, Mia.”I felt my cheeks burn hotter, my stomach twisting at the teasing edge in his voice.“I—” I started, but words failed me. How the hell was I supposed to respond to that?Marco chuckled, the deep, rich sound rolling over me like warm honey.

    Last Updated : 2025-03-30
  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 13: Three days Longing

    MIA CRUZ Three days. Three days, and I hadn’t seen Marco. I told myself I didn’t care. I told myself I had more important things to focus on—work, my bookstore, my life. But my mind had other plans. Sitting at my desk, I tapped my pen against my notepad, staring blankly at the emails I was supposed to be responding to. The words blurred together, my focus slipping every time I remembered the way his lips had lingered just inches from mine. The way he pulled away like he was testing me, teasing me. The way I had wanted him to stay. I groaned under my breath and squeezed my eyes shut. Get a grip, Mia. “You okay?” I snapped out of my daze, looking up to see my co-worker, Naomi, peering at me from across the desk. She raised a brow, eyes full of suspicion. “Yeah. Fine,” I lied, sitting up straighter and forcing my attention back to my laptop. She smirked

    Last Updated : 2025-03-30
  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    Chapter 14: A Dance with the Devil

    The moment I stepped out of the car, the cool evening air kissed my skin, sending a slight shiver down my spine. The entrance to the gala was nothing short of breathtaking—golden lights illuminated the grand building, luxury cars lined the driveway, and men in sharp tuxedos escorted women draped in elegance. But none of it compared to the man walking toward me. Marco Valentino. His presence commanded attention, his dark eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my breath hitch. He looked effortlessly powerful in his tailored suit, the crisp black fabric molding to his frame in a way that was both refined and utterly sinful. A slow smirk tugged at his lips as he reached me, his gaze roaming over my figure in a way that sent warmth pooling in my stomach. “You wear it well,” he murmured, voice smooth as silk. I swallowed, heart racing. “Thank you… for the dress.” His smirk dee

    Last Updated : 2025-03-31
  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 15: A Dance With Temptation

    Marco leaned in, his nose brushing against mine, his breath warm and intoxicating. My own breath hitched, my lips parting instinctively.And then—He pulled away.A slow, deliberate retreat, his lips curving into something smug, something wicked.Heat flared in my cheeks as frustration tangled with the ache in my chest.“Are you—” I swallowed, gripping the fabric of my dress. “Are you teasing me?”Marco smirked. “Maybe.”I narrowed my eyes, but before I could retort, he leaned in again, his fingers brushing against my wrist, his voice a low murmur against my ear.“But when I finally take what I want, Mia,” he whispered, “you won’t be questioning anything.”My stomach flipped, my skin burning where he touched me.And just like that, he straightened, composed as ever, like he hadn’t just turned my entire world upside down.I exhaled shakily, my heart still racing as he walked ahead, effo

    Last Updated : 2025-03-31
  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 16: A Reckoning in the Shadows

    Marco’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. The composed, enigmatic man I had seen moments ago was gone—replaced by someone colder, sharper. His jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides as his gaze swept across the ballroom.Something was wrong.I took a hesitant step forward, but before I could call his name, he turned, barking out orders to the men stationed discreetly around the room.“Lock down the exits. No one leaves until I say so.”A shiver ran down my spine. The air grew heavy with tension as the guards moved swiftly, their expressions grim.People in the ballroom were oblivious for now, laughing, drinking, swirling across the dance floor. But I could feel it—the shift in the atmosphere, the weight of something unseen pressing in.Marco’s head snapped toward one of his men, who had just rushed up to him. They exchanged a few hushed words, and whatever he was told made his already sharp expression darke

    Last Updated : 2025-04-01
  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 17: The Silence Between Us

    MIA CRUZI tossed and turned, my sheets tangled around my legs, my mind refusing to give me peace.No matter how many times I shut my eyes, the scene played on repeat—the gunshot, the screams, the way Marco’s arms had caged me against him as he rushed me out the back door.The way blood had spread across the pristine floor, staining the elegance of the night with something raw and violent.I squeezed my eyes shut, willing sleep to take me, but it never came.And then—BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!My alarm blared through the room, dragging me into the present. I groaned, pressing my hands over my face. The sharp ring was an unwelcome reminder that life didn’t pause just because my world had been turned upside down.I forced myself to sit up, my body feeling heavier than usual. My heart was still racing from memories I couldn’t shake, my hands curling into fists in my lap.Everything had changed last night.

    Last Updated : 2025-04-01
  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 1: Shadows in the Wind

    The moment I stepped off the train and into the cool Chicago air, a shiver ran down my spine. The city was alive—too alive. Streetlights flickered in the fading evening light, illuminating the busy sidewalks where businessmen hurried past, laughter spilled from a nearby bar, and the faint scent of roasted chestnuts lingered in the air. Yet, beneath the surface, something felt… off. I pulled my coat tighter around me and shifted my overnight bag higher onto my shoulder. I wasn’t here for sightseeing. I was here because my mother, Emily Cruz, practically forced me to attend a book club event in her place. The thought made me sigh. “Mia, it’s important to keep connections alive,” she had said. “You never know when you’ll need them.” As the owner of Cruz’s Bookstore—one of New Orleans’ oldest independent bookstores—my mother was obsessed with building literary networks. I, on the other hand, had no such ambitions. I just wanted to survive the night and catch my flight home in the m

    Last Updated : 2025-03-20
  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    Chapter 2: The Intruder

    The sharp sound of shattering glass jolted me awake.My heart slammed against my ribcage, a frantic rhythm that echoed in my ears as I jolted upright. The once quiet room was now thick with an unsettling stillness, the kind that made the hairs on the back of my neck rise. Shadows stretched across the walls, shifting with the faint flicker of the streetlights filtering through the partially drawn curtains. Each breath I took was uneven, shuddering past my lips as my chest rose and fell in rapid succession.Disoriented, my mind struggled to piece together the moments leading up to this instant—what had disturbed my sleep? A noise? A presence? Or just the lingering tendrils of an anxious dream?I swallowed hard, willing myself to steady the erratic pounding in my chest, but a gnawing sense of unease curled deep in my stomach. Something wasn’t right.The broken window.The realization sent a shiver down my spine.Had the wind knocked it loose? Or—A groan.Low, pained.Not from me.My hea

    Last Updated : 2025-03-20

Latest chapter

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 17: The Silence Between Us

    MIA CRUZI tossed and turned, my sheets tangled around my legs, my mind refusing to give me peace.No matter how many times I shut my eyes, the scene played on repeat—the gunshot, the screams, the way Marco’s arms had caged me against him as he rushed me out the back door.The way blood had spread across the pristine floor, staining the elegance of the night with something raw and violent.I squeezed my eyes shut, willing sleep to take me, but it never came.And then—BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!My alarm blared through the room, dragging me into the present. I groaned, pressing my hands over my face. The sharp ring was an unwelcome reminder that life didn’t pause just because my world had been turned upside down.I forced myself to sit up, my body feeling heavier than usual. My heart was still racing from memories I couldn’t shake, my hands curling into fists in my lap.Everything had changed last night.

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 16: A Reckoning in the Shadows

    Marco’s entire demeanor shifted in an instant. The composed, enigmatic man I had seen moments ago was gone—replaced by someone colder, sharper. His jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides as his gaze swept across the ballroom.Something was wrong.I took a hesitant step forward, but before I could call his name, he turned, barking out orders to the men stationed discreetly around the room.“Lock down the exits. No one leaves until I say so.”A shiver ran down my spine. The air grew heavy with tension as the guards moved swiftly, their expressions grim.People in the ballroom were oblivious for now, laughing, drinking, swirling across the dance floor. But I could feel it—the shift in the atmosphere, the weight of something unseen pressing in.Marco’s head snapped toward one of his men, who had just rushed up to him. They exchanged a few hushed words, and whatever he was told made his already sharp expression darke

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 15: A Dance With Temptation

    Marco leaned in, his nose brushing against mine, his breath warm and intoxicating. My own breath hitched, my lips parting instinctively.And then—He pulled away.A slow, deliberate retreat, his lips curving into something smug, something wicked.Heat flared in my cheeks as frustration tangled with the ache in my chest.“Are you—” I swallowed, gripping the fabric of my dress. “Are you teasing me?”Marco smirked. “Maybe.”I narrowed my eyes, but before I could retort, he leaned in again, his fingers brushing against my wrist, his voice a low murmur against my ear.“But when I finally take what I want, Mia,” he whispered, “you won’t be questioning anything.”My stomach flipped, my skin burning where he touched me.And just like that, he straightened, composed as ever, like he hadn’t just turned my entire world upside down.I exhaled shakily, my heart still racing as he walked ahead, effo

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    Chapter 14: A Dance with the Devil

    The moment I stepped out of the car, the cool evening air kissed my skin, sending a slight shiver down my spine. The entrance to the gala was nothing short of breathtaking—golden lights illuminated the grand building, luxury cars lined the driveway, and men in sharp tuxedos escorted women draped in elegance. But none of it compared to the man walking toward me. Marco Valentino. His presence commanded attention, his dark eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my breath hitch. He looked effortlessly powerful in his tailored suit, the crisp black fabric molding to his frame in a way that was both refined and utterly sinful. A slow smirk tugged at his lips as he reached me, his gaze roaming over my figure in a way that sent warmth pooling in my stomach. “You wear it well,” he murmured, voice smooth as silk. I swallowed, heart racing. “Thank you… for the dress.” His smirk dee

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 13: Three days Longing

    MIA CRUZ Three days. Three days, and I hadn’t seen Marco. I told myself I didn’t care. I told myself I had more important things to focus on—work, my bookstore, my life. But my mind had other plans. Sitting at my desk, I tapped my pen against my notepad, staring blankly at the emails I was supposed to be responding to. The words blurred together, my focus slipping every time I remembered the way his lips had lingered just inches from mine. The way he pulled away like he was testing me, teasing me. The way I had wanted him to stay. I groaned under my breath and squeezed my eyes shut. Get a grip, Mia. “You okay?” I snapped out of my daze, looking up to see my co-worker, Naomi, peering at me from across the desk. She raised a brow, eyes full of suspicion. “Yeah. Fine,” I lied, sitting up straighter and forcing my attention back to my laptop. She smirked

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 12: Hidden in the Dark

    MIA CRUZThe air crackled with tension, heavy and charged, wrapping around us like an unspoken promise. My breath came in uneven gasps, my pulse hammering against my ribs in a frantic rhythm. Marco’s fingers rested lightly on my waist, a touch that felt both possessive and teasing, his lips hovering just inches from mine. Every nerve in my body was aware of him—of his presence, his power, the quiet restraint in his stance. And yet, despite the space he left between us, I could feel it—the unmistakable heat radiating off his skin.His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, filled with something dark and unreadable. A smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth, lazy and knowing.“You’re blushing, Mia.”I felt my cheeks burn hotter, my stomach twisting at the teasing edge in his voice.“I—” I started, but words failed me. How the hell was I supposed to respond to that?Marco chuckled, the deep, rich sound rolling over me like warm honey.

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 10: Into the fire

    The grand foyer stretched before me, a masterpiece of timeless elegance and quiet opulence. The floors were polished marble, smooth and gleaming beneath my feet, reflecting the soft glow of the golden chandelier hanging above. High ceilings made the space feel impossibly vast, and intricate crown moldings framed the room with refined detail.A sweeping staircase curved to the second floor, its railing carved from dark mahogany, polished to perfection. The scent of leather, wood, and something distinctly Marco—masculine and expensive—filled the air.I took a slow breath, trying not to seem too affected by the sheer grandeur surrounding me. This wasn’t just wealth. It was power, woven into every inch of the space.Marco shut the door behind me, the quiet click echoing in the vast room. I felt his presence at my back, close but not touching.“Come on,” he said smoothly, walking ahead. “Let’s go somewhere more comfortable.”I followed him thr

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 11: The Invitation

    MIA CRUZ The blaring of my alarm jolted me awake, dragging me out of a restless sleep. I groaned, rolling over and slamming the snooze button before burying my face in my pillow. Just five more minutes. Except five minutes turned into ten, and by the time I finally forced myself up, the sun was already peeking through my window, casting a warm glow across my room. Sunday. The realization hit me fully, sending a jolt of awareness through my still-sleepy mind. I was meeting Marco today. At his house. I shook off the nerves creeping in and stretched, rubbing my eyes before dragging myself out of bed. My feet padded across the cool wooden floor as I made my way to the bathroom. A splash of cold water to my face did wonders in shaking off the last remnants of sleep. I brushed my teeth, letting my mind wander as I moved through my morn

  • The Mafia Man wants my Heart    CHAPTER 9: Cafe

    MIA CRUZI took a deep breath before stepping out of the storeroom, my hands tightening around the book samples. I had only been in there for a few minutes, but it had been enough to gather myself—or so I thought.The moment I looked up, my stomach did a ridiculous flip.Marco was still there.He leaned casually against one of the bookshelves, arms crossed over his broad chest, watching me with an amused expression. His dark eyes held a knowing glint, like he could see right through me.“You sure took your time,” he mused.I forced a small laugh, shifting the samples in my grip. “Just… making sure I got the right books.”He hummed as if he didn’t believe me but didn’t push. Instead, he straightened, his gaze settling on me in a way that made my skin prickle.“So,” he said smoothly, “since I’m already here, how about we grab a coffee? You must have a lot of questions.”Coffee?I blinked, caught

Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status