All Chapters of MAFIA'S DOMINANT LOVE: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

“It will be a constant reminder of how I was right, and you were wrong.” Her giggle populates like champagne bubbles through our connection.“I bought the phone so you could see the mess we made online like I have to.”“It’s quite the mess.” As our laughter dies down, she adds, “I’ve been banned from the track.” Her tone is softer, her words more forgiving.The punch comes with the admission. I’m not surprised, but it’s bullshit. “Forever?”“For now.”I nod, though she can’t see me. Sitting up, I say, “Good thing we don’t exist in each other’s worlds.” Nothing about that feels genuine. Even I don’t believe the lies I’m spewing.“Yeah . . . good thing.” A quick pause is cut short. “I should let you go.”“You don’t have to.” No adjustments. Life is smooth right now. Don’t wreak havoc on your career over a woman. “I didn’t mean it how it came out.” “How did you mean it, Marco?”“You’re there, and I’m here, and . . . we’ve just not run into each other before.”I can’t see her, but I’m no

Thursday . . .I hate Thursdays.Four days with my son isn’t enough.He’s had me serving him ice cream well after bedtime and jumping in puddles because who cares about expensive shoes when I can ruin them with Cullen. Watching him go-kart at an indoor track in Jersey was the highlight. He’s going to be better than I’ve ever been.I wish he could see me race, at least once, in person. I can already hear Terry arguing that it’s too disruptive to his schedule. I could challenge that argument, but that won’t change the fact that I need to respect her as his mother.“Hop up, buddy.” My mom takes his backpack while I lower down so Cullen can jump onto my back. As much as I love his curiosity, I don’t think I can have another thirty minute conversation about the cracks in the sidewalk.We start walking again. “We’re booking it today,” she says, eyeing me with a reserved smile.“I can slow down.”“You don’t need to do me any favors. I can keep up with you kids.”I chuckle, knowing she’s the

It’s a bummer that the tone has changed, that we’re both on guard more, and all conversation has ceased to exist. If there are eyes, ears are listening in as well.The pizza finally comes out the window, and we hustle away from the crowded pizzeria and down a block before we stop. She looks across the street and then at me. “Your place or mine?”When our eyes connect again, I think we both know that question is loaded with more than dinner plans. But she doesn’t hesitate. “Yours.”XXXMadonna Saint Elise POV“Why are you in the city if you’re filming in Vancouver?” Joemar asks before devouring the last of his fourth piece of pizza.The man can eat. It’s actually impressive. Even if this is the most divine pizza that has ever touched my tongue, I fell out of competition after two large slices. Joemar is still going, reaching for another.“I had an audition this afternoon.”“For a movie?”It felt like home on that stage today, the feeling still soaring through my veins. “For a play on Br

Madonna Saint Elise POVShe responds: What? Me: Why are you up at this hour?Paula: I was snacking. Why are you up at this hour?I didn’t know she had a middle-of-the-night appetite, but maybe it’s a thing with chefs. I reply:Walk of shaming it back across town.My phone instantly rings. I laugh, needing the lightheartedness right now. “Hello?”“Do tell.”“Two words.” I track my gaze to the driver, who seems too occupied in his own world to be concerned with mine. Whispering, I say, “Joemar. Russo.”“Holy sh—”“I know.”“How the hell did that happen? What happened to he’s horrible, and I hate him and all that talk about rude, offensive, frustrating?” She takes a breath and adds, “Attractive.”“Absurdly so. Yeah, I remember, and I’m eating my words now.”“What else were you eating last night?”A bubble of laughter escapes me. “Pizza. That’s it.”She fake yawns, and then she laughs. “Boring. Tell me the good stuff.”I stare out the window and begin to recognize that I’m getting close t

It takes about two minutes of me staring at the phone, but then I receive a reply:Thanks. I’m feeling good about tomorrow. I’ll try to call you after the race. Sweet dreams, babe.Me: Sweet dreams.As much as I love our nightly calls and text exchanges, I’m feeling lonely. Sleep is going to be my friend tonight instead of dwelling on the fact that I won’t get to see Joemar in person for another week. That is, if I can slip away during the time I’ll be promoting the movie.XXXWatching Joemar come in fifth and move up in the rankings along with Saint Elise Racing has me wishing I had someone to celebrate with. I know he won’t see it for a while since he can’t have his phone on him, but I text Joemar anyway:So proud of you! Congratulations!I also send a congrats to the family group text, letting them know I watched from Vancouver. I get quick replies from most of them. Harry is celebrating with the crew in the paddock. I want to be there, but being a distraction is not something I wa