Page 57 of Relentless Sinner

“Parts and engines for planes and space shuttles.”

My mouth drops. I can’t help my shock. “What? Really?”

“Yes, really. My father wanted our company to be different.Unrivaled. But I wanted to be different, too. And unrivaled.”

There’s something about his tone that beckons me to pay attention. Not just to what he’s saying now, but everything. He said similar things last week when he spoke about being the best Bratva leader.

Usually when people do so much, or as much as he has, it’s because they want to prove a point. I sense that’s what he did. And it has something to do with his father.

He hasn’t mentioned his mother. Eve told me she died but she never said how and when. Again, I didn’t ask because I didn’t want to feel like I was prying too much. The answers to those types of questions are always painful.

“You have one hell of an impressive background for someone so young.” I nod, guiding my thoughts back to the conversation.

He chuckles. “You don’t have to look so repulsed that you’re impressed by me.”

“I’m not repulsed. I’m just… surprised.”

“Because I do something so legit?”

“Yes. But not everything you do is as legit, is it?”

“You know the answer to that. Why ask me?” His grin falters.

“Because I want to know more.”

“The answer is no. I’m from the Bratva, Gabriella. Everything my family’s company does that’s legit helps fund somethingthat’s 100% illegal. And when things and/or people get out of line, I take care of it.”

He means kill. A cold shiver rushes over me and a sinking feeling forms in my core.

“Does the mafia princess want legit? An ordinary law-abiding man.”

“Why wouldn’t I? Do you think I want to live my life in danger?”

“I don’t. But you can’t run from who you are. You were born in the Italian Mafia. This is your world as much as mine. The best you can do is be with someone who can always protect you from danger.”

“You think that someone is you?” I challenge, knowing I’m stepping over the line.

“I don’t think. Iknow.” The wicked grin returns, along with that wild desire in his eyes that makes heat curl low in my belly. “You know it, too, Gabriella. You just don’t want to accept it.”

A stab of trepidation pulls at my gut and I want to deny what he’s saying because I don’t want him to be right. “You think you know me, but you don’t.”

Jaxon answers with a full-blown confident smile that’s as disarming as it is sexy. “I know enough about you to know you like me. And there’s not a Goddamn thing you can do about how you feel.”

My cheeks heat from the sting of truth in his words but I shake my head. “You know no such thing.”

“Oh, but I do. You like my darkness. Like the taste of it. Like the way I make you feel. And you worry you’ll like me so much you’ll lose yourself in me.”

He’s not right. But… he is and I hate that I’ve been so transparent.

“Struck a nerve, Krasota?”

“No.” My voice is a little bit louder than a whisper.

“Liar.” He leans forward. “Come here.”

“I’m alreadyhere.”

His jaw clenches. “No. I want you to come closer and sit on my lap.”