Page 100 of When She Tempts (The Fallen)
I lean back in my seat and link my palms together. I’ve been too soft with him. All it took was one direct threat for him to finally understand I’m not playing around on the matter.
“I won’t make that mistake again,” he says, glancing at me.
I study him.
An apology is a good start. He seems genuinely remorseful, and that’s something, given that he’s young, impulsive, and maybe…too ambitious to stay here much longer.
I would never allow him to work for Sal, but Sal’s reign is about to end. What about De Rossi? While he’s in Casal, someone’s going to have to run his business empire, and that person will need help. If Polo manages to get his attitude in check, he might make a good asset. He’s eager to prove himself, and he’ll be loyal to any don who’ll give him that chance.
I could put in a word with De Rossi.
Polo waits expectantly for my response, so I give him a curt nod and reach for my cappuccino. “Good.”
He visibly relaxes.
“But you still want to be made?”
Something flashes in his eyes. Longing, probably.
“Yes, but I won’t bother you with it anymore. I’ll wait until you think the time is right.”
Finally. He’s starting to fucking learn.
“It might come sooner than you think.”
He blinks.
“I’ve had a lot of things on my mind lately, Polo, but I’ve heard you. I understand you don’t want to spend the rest of your life here, and I can’t blame you for that. If I was in your shoes, I’d probably feel the same.” I prop my elbow on the edge of the table. “There’s more you can do in life than join the clan. If you want to start a business, I’ll be your first investor. If you want to study something new, I’ll pay your way through school. But if being made is truly what you want… Well, I promised your mother I would keep you safe, but I also promised her I’d try to keep you happy. Think about it for a few weeks and tell me what you decide on.”
His lips twitch. “I appreciate that, Giorgio. I’ll consider all my options first.”
“Good. Have a seat. We can eat together.”
Polo sits down, and Allegra brings him a plate just as Martina comes down the stairs clad in a pretty black dress with a bold floral pattern. Her ponytail swings with each of her steps, and when she gives me a coquettish smile, my hand flexes with the desire to wrap those silky strands around my fist.
She sits down to my right. “Morning.”
Polo glances up from his plate. “Good mo—” His greeting cuts off as his eyes fixate on something.
It takes me a moment to realize he’s looking at Martina’s neck.
Fuck.
There’s a visible red mark from where I bit her last night.
“Wow, it smells delicious,” she says obliviously and reaches for a freshly baked pastry from a basket on the table.
I tighten my fingers around my fork, watching as Polo takes a few seconds to put it together. Then his gaze narrows and darts to me.
My plan to introduce Polo to De Rossi grinds to a halt. Before I can do that, I’m going to have to ensure Polo doesn’t speak a word about this to him.
Another complication.
Another fucking problem to deal with.
What was Martina thinking? Did I not make it clear no one can know about us?
“There’s something on your neck, Martina,” I say, keeping my anger out of my voice even if it pulses at the edges of my vision.
