Page 120 of Tempting My Mafia Monster

“Hmm,” she sighed. “Sorry. My head doesn’t work properly anymore. I get very confused.”

“That makes two of us,” I mumbled, staring at a deep-blue plant drooping low to the ground.

“I’m Cecilia. What was your name again?”

“Maddox Moriarty.”

“Moriarty. Yes. Now I remember you.”

I turned to face her, surprised. I don’t remember ever meeting her before. “What do you mean?”

“You were just a bambino, maybe four or five. Vinny, Sal and I came to your farmhouse to finalise the alliance. You were very sweet. You sat on my lap and told me I was pretty. I could tell you were going to be a heartbreaker. Very handsome.”

The words hit harder than any punch I’d ever taken. Someone remembered me. Not Monster. Me. Before McKenna. To distract myself from the pain beneath my ribs, I replied, “I won’t sit on your lap now.” My lip twitched. “But you’re still pretty.”

“Oh,” she giggled, swatting the air with her hand. “Flattery will get you everywhere, boy.”

She reached for my hand, resting hers on mine. Her smile faltered as she squeezed it. I fought the urge to react to her touch. Touch usually meant pain and punishment. But she simply held my hand.

“I’m sorry for what happened. But you are still here. You survived, so they will always live on with you. Your parents would be so proud. I know they would want you to know that.”

I pulled my hand away and looked down, swallowing the uncomfortable emotions that tried to tear me to pieces. Proud. Of what I’d become? Was surviving worth the price I’d paid? I wasn’t sure.

There was a long, heavy silence, but it wasn’t awkward. Even though I hated the feelings her words left me with, I felt at ease in her company. Again, something I shouldn’t feel around a Buccini. Apparently, Buccini women were a weakness of mine.

“I think your mother would also want you to know that you have enough tattoos.”

A bark of laughter escaped. Well… fuck. Apparently, I could still laugh. I glanced at her, a genuine smile on my face. She smiled back.

“Oh, look at that. Still so handsome. Was I right about you breaking all the ladies’ hearts?”

Soraya’s face flashed into my mind the night she first saw me on her lawn. I swallowed and looked down at my feet. “Probably.”

She tutted, shaking her head. “You find the right girl, and you protect that heart forever.”

“What if I don’t know how?” The question slipped out before I could strangle it.

She peered at me, confusion once again appearing on her face.

“How to what?”

“Protect her heart. Be who she needs me to be.”

She stared at me for a while. “I–I’m sorry, I’ve forgotten your name.”

A faint smile tugged at my lips. “Maddox.”

“Oh, are you a friend of Vinny’s?”

I shook my head. Didn’t Vincenzo Buccini die? “No. I… guess I’m a friend of Soraya.”

“Soraya?” She frowned deeply. Her body language shifted, clearly uncomfortable. “But she’s just a baby. What do you mean?”

The confusion in her eyes spread so quickly; it was like watching a candle go out. My mouth opened and closed as she continued to stare at me.

“I should go.”

I stood up and walked away. When I reached the gate, I hesitated, unsure about leaving her alone. She was clearly vulnerable. I knew how shite it was to feel confused about things you didn’t remember. I swore under my breath and headed back.