I Texted the Mafia Boss

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He kicked my front door open with a deafening crash.

Cleo's notoriously unhinged brother stormed inside.

Just a few hours ago, Cleo had sent me a shirtless video of a guy lounging in an infinity pool at a private Beverly Hills mansion, the water droplets clearly visible on his cut abs.

My fingers moved faster than my brain as I typed a mocking reply: "This body? Pure matchstick dangling a cocktail wiener. Unsend it right now before you pollute my screen."

How was I supposed to know the guy in the video was him?

His solid arm clamped around my waist like a vice.

He hoisted me up and threw me hard onto my mattress like a sack of sand.

My pulse hammered in my throat.

"Think I'm a matchstick?" His rough voice vibrated against the sensitive skin of my neck, his breath scalding hot. "Why don't you find out for yourself?"

Chapter 1

That night, I was curled up on the couch, happily chewing on a slice of cold pizza, when a deafening crash hit the front door like someone was trying to smash it to splinters.

Over Cleos frantic screaming, I barely made out her voice. "Peaches, don't come out! Roman, calm down! She didn't mean it! If you put your hands on her, the cops will throw you in jail!"

"Peaches" was the nickname Cleo gave me because of the curve of my ass. It was a private joke strictly between the two of us.

She let out another shriek as the door gave way. I froze with a piece of crust dangling from my mouth, staring blankly at the splintered wood on the floor.

The first thing I saw was Cleo's unhinged brother. His jaw was locked tight enough to snap bone, a thick vein pulsing right at his temple. Cleo was right behind him, dragging her heels and desperately pulling at his arm.

Roman was a notorious underground club owner, always surrounded by a crew of dangerous men. And out of all of them, he was the most lethal.

Whenever I went over to Cleo's place, my first question was always whether her brother was home. I actively treated him like a walking hazard zone.

Once, Cleo and I got cornered by a few street thugs in the back alley of a bar. I was just about to dial 911 when she called her brother instead.

He showed up with his guys and, without blinking an eye, snapped the lead thugs leg right in front of us.

That sound scarred me for life. Since then, I wished I could turn invisible the second he walked into a room.

Now, Cleo was trying to hold Roman back while shooting me wide-eyed looks. Years of best-friend telepathy screamed that I needed to get the hell out of there.

Cleo desperately tried to talk him down. "Roman, please, just chill! I swear she didn't do it on purpose."

I still had zero clue what Id done, but running seemed like the smartest option. I snatched my phone and bolted for the stairs.

A dark, mocking laugh echoed from behind me. "Let go, Cleo, or I'll knock you out."

I was already scrambling up to the second floor when Cleo yelled, "Hide, Peaches! I'll get someone! You called my brother a cocktail wiener, and he's coming for your blood!"

My fingers shook, cold sweat trailing down my spine. Why the hell did she have to send me a half-naked video of her brother?

I pushed my burning lungs to the third floor. Just as I took the corner, my peripheral vision caught Roman taking the stairs like a hunting leopard, clearing the flight to the second floor in huge, terrifying bounds.

His scorching, heavy hand locked onto my shoulder like a steel trap. Even through the thin fabric of my slip dress, the heat rolling off him was staggering.

His arm wrapped heavily over my shoulders, his lips brushing right against my ear. "Keep running. Why stop now? Need me to give you a push?"

With one effortless motion, he hoisted me upside down over his broad shoulder.

My teeth chattered so hard I could barely form words as I begged. "Ah! Roman, wait! I'm sorry! I swear I didn't know it was you! I'll never do it again!"

Cleo just reached the top of the stairs, bent double and panting like a dying dog. We were wearing matching silk slips, looking equally wrecked.

Roman effortlessly kicked my bedroom door open, stepped inside, and slammed it shut. The deadbolt clicked into place.

He tossed me onto the mattress.

Before I could even twist away, his solid weight caged me in. Summer sleepwear left nothing to the imagination; the silk clung to every curve. He pinned both of my wrists, dragging them securely above my head.

Heat rushed to my cheeks. I writhed uselessly against his grip. "Roman, you can't just we're a man and a woman"

My weak protest died in my throat as his free hand slid to the back of my neck. His rough thumb dragged over the soft skin there. The nape of my neck was my ultimate weak spot.

Usually, if anyone touched me there, I'd bite their head off. But I didn't dare snap at Roman. I was only tough when I knew I was safe.

Only one instinct fired in my brain: beg. Beg like my life depended on it.

"Roman, please, I really didn't mean it. I'll make it up to you, I'm so sorry, I swear."

Chapter 2

Roman freed one hand, his calloused fingers locking roughly onto my jaw. "I don't give a damn if it was an accident," he murmured, his voice lethal. "You opened your mouth. If I let that slide, I'd be a joke."

My lungs were still burning from the stairs, and the crushing weight of his body pinning me down made it impossible to drag in a full breath. I stared at him and desperately blurted out the words. "Listen, I swear I will never tell anyone about the video! Just let me go! I'll pay you whatever you want!"

Roman let out a dark chuckle. "Who do you think you're talking to? You think you have something I need?"

Watching his eyes darken dangerously, I rushed to explain, "No, no, Roman, I absolutely didn't mean it like that."

Roman's gaze dragged slowly up and down my body. A sudden smirk curved his lips.

"Nice body. I happen to need a girl on my arm. How about you become my woman? You have five minutes to think about it."

I choked on air. I told him to name his price, but this was insane.

Outside the door, Cleo was still banging on the wood and begging for my life. "Peaches, are you okay? Roman, she really didn't mean it! Just let her off the hook, please!"

What a great best friend. I was touched, but I still wanted to strangle her with my bare hands.

Roman glanced at the heavy, expensive watch on his wrist. "One minute left. Choose carefully."

I didn't want to get beaten up, and I definitely didn't want to belong to a dangerous underground boss. Either choice was a death sentence.

Roman leaned in close, his hot breath ghosting over the sensitive skin of my neck. "Time's up. What's it going to be? Don't worry, it won't hurt."

I squeezed my eyes shut and made a reckless bet. I'd choose the second optionthere was no way this dangerous mobster was actually serious about keeping me. "I'll do the second one. Now can you let me go? You're crushing me."

The words barely left my mouth before Roman abruptly shifted his weight. He shifted his weight, his heavy, muscular thighs pinning my legs flat against the mattress, completely caging me in.

Then, I noticed the heavy, dark shift in his gaze. I wasn't an idiot. The raw hunger in his eyes was screamingly obvious.

As his face lowered toward mine, I twisted my head away. "Ah! What are you doing?! Cleo, save memph!"

Roman's large hand clamped the back of my head, holding me still as his mouth crashed down on mine, swallowing my screams.

My eyes widened, my brain going blank as his aggressive scent stole the oxygen from my lungs.

The backup Cleo called finally arrived. The girls outside kicked the bedroom door open.

Roman reacted with lightning speed, snatching the heavy comforter over both of us to hide us from view. The room fell into dead silence.

No, not silence. The wet, messy sound of our kissing echoed clearly in the quiet room.

Just a second before I suffocated, he finally tore his lips away and glared at the door. "Cleo. Unless you want a real beating, take your friends and wait outside."

Cleo finally snapped out of her shock, hurriedly shoving the other girls back into the hallway. "Oh! Right, right. Let's go out. Peaches, you guys carry on!"

Carry on, my ass! I thrashed under the covers and screamed after her. "Cleo, where are you going?! Pull him off me! Save me!"

The only answer I got was the heavy click of the door pulling shut.

Roman let out a low, dangerous chuckle above me. "Now that we're officially together, it's the perfect time to let you taste exactly what kind of cocktail wiener you're dealing with."

I wanted to swallow my own tongue. Why did I have to be so cocky online? And worst of all, how was I so blind?

Yeah, my mistake. Utterly misjudged the situation. Definitely not a cocktail wiener pressing dangerously against my thigh.

Just my damn luck, the thin silk strap of my slip dress chose that exact moment to slide off my shoulder.

Roman let out a low, appreciative whistle. His rough cheek brushed intimately against mine as he murmured, "No need to be so eager, baby."

I could talk a huge game behind a keyboard, but in reality, I didn't even dare to breathe too loudly.

Chapter 3

He released my wrists, effortlessly stripping off his shirt in one fluid motion. He grabbed my hand and flattened it firmly against the hard ridges of his abs. "Fair is fair. I won't let you lose out."

Bullshit. I thrashed beneath him, my voice pitching up. "Get off me! I changed my mind! I'll take the first option! I'd rather you break my damn legs than be your plaything!"

Roman didn't waste his breath arguing. A dark, predatory gleam flashed in his eyesthe look of a hunter who had been stalking his prey for years and was finally moving in for the kill.

Before I could snap my mouth shut, his lips crashed down on mine, capturing it.

No matter how hard I kicked, clawed, or pounded against his solid chest, he refused to pull back. The brutal kiss deepened until my lungs burned. My chest heaved as the realization hit me: if I didn't surrender right now, he was actually going to suffocate me.

Roman finally broke the kiss just enough to let me drag in two desperate gasps of air. "Are you going to be my woman? Hm?" His rough thumb stroked my jaw. "Answer me. Silence means you want me to keep going."

My oxygen-starved brain frantically weighed my options for three agonizing seconds. Sure, he had the lethal alpha energy, the insane wealth, and a face carved from marble. But he was far from my ideal man.

The way he stared at me was pure, unfiltered hunger. He looked like a lone wolf ready to swallow me whole, sending a violent shiver down my spine.

And worst of all, his temper was notoriously volatile. If his own sister, Cleo, couldn't put out his fire, I had zero chance. But my lungs were screaming for air, and I couldn't take another second of his brutal dominance. I gave a frantic, tiny nod.

He lingered, his lips brushing against mine as if he was reluctant to let go. "Nodding doesn't count. Say it out loud. I want to hear it, or else"

Roman let the threat hang in the air, but his darkened gaze made it explicitly clear: if I refused, I would be completely destroyed. I immediately gasped out, "Yes! I will! Just stop!"

At this point, survival was my only priority. I'd play along for now and figure out my escape plan later.

Roman's grip shifted, his fingers tilting my chin up again. "So, can I continue to return the favor now?" It sounded like a question, but the dangerous glint in his eyes told me I didn't actually have a choice.

Once I got out of this, I was going to string Cleo up by her ankles and beat her.

Roman finally sat up, effortlessly hauling my limp, trembling body up with him. His rough fingers casually slipped the fallen silk strap back over my shoulder. "If we don't go downstairs soon, your best friend's imagination is going to run wild," he drawled. "Need me to carry you down?"

I immediately shook my head, silently wishing I had the strength to kick him squarely in the chest. Fine, he copped a feelI'll admit I provoked his fragile male ego first. But why the hell did he have to devour me like a starved animal?

My cheeks burned. I shoved my hands against his rock-hard chest, trying to push him away.

Before I realized it, Roman had leaned in again. His low, vibrating chuckle sounded right above my head. "Don't worry. No permanent damage."

My stomach dropped. I crossed my arms over my chest, clutching the neckline of my slip. My mouth betrayed me at the worst possible moment. "Sstay away from me, you you shameless bastard!"

Instant regret hit me the second the words left my mouth. His dark eyes locked onto mine as his tongue slowly traced his lower lip. In one swift motion, his powerful arms locked around me again, caging me against his chest like a stuffed toy, eliminating any space between us.

Roman buried his face in the crook of my neck, dropping hot, open-mouthed kisses against my skin. "I'm a shameless bastard for returning the favor? You started this, Hazel. Does that make you a sweet little pervert?"

I slapped my hand over my neck to block him, so he pressed a searing kiss to the back of my hand. I tried to cover his mouth, and his tongue swiped against my palm. I was losing my mind.

Cleo never mentioned her brother was this aggressively clingy. The few times I'd seen him, he always carried this lethal, ice-cold aura that screamed 'stay away.' Cleo even swore he had never brought a woman home in his life.

Roman let out a low rumble of displeasure. He gently but punishingly bit down on my knuckles, his eyes darkening.

"Roman, stop!" I gasped, pulling my hand back. "Seriously, quit it! How am I supposed to face anyone downstairs looking like this?"

Chapter 4

After my desperate struggle, he finally pulled back.

The second his grip loosened, I gathered all my strength and slapped him hard across his left cheek.

The sharp crack echoed in the room. My hand went numb. My stomach violently dropped as a bright red handprint bloomed on his perfect face.

Roman didn't even blink. He just stared at me, his gaze dark and unreadable.

My breath hitched in my throat, and goosebumps erupted over my arms.

If time travel existed, I needed a ticket right now. Under the heavy weight of his stare, my eyes darted everywhere, frantically avoiding his gaze. The room fell into a dead silence. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw his large hand reaching for me.

My mouth moved faster than my terrified brain. "What are you doing? If you dare touch a single hair on my head, I I'll make you pay for it!"

Roman casually wound a strand of my hair around his long finger, a dangerous, mocking smirk playing on his lips. "And when exactly do I get to eat my fill?" he drawled, his voice thick with suggestion.

I mentally dragged Cleo out and beat her with a stick again. Why the hell was her brother the exact opposite of how she described him? They were talking about two entirely different people.

I decided to try and reason with him. Carefully gauging the dark expression on his face, I gripped the hem of my silk slip tightly until my knuckles turned white.

"You're Cleo's brother. She's my best friend, which makes you practically family. This this is inappropriate. Besides, our families are so close"

I threw another nervous glance at his rigid jaw, my voice dropping to a shaky whisper. "I don't want this. If you force me, you'll get thrown in a federal cell"

Roman stared down at me from his towering height and let out a harsh scoff. "Hazel, pack up those cheap, R-rated movie plots playing in your head. What I want from you has never been just a one-night stand."

My body stiffened. Was I completely misreading this?

Roman dug his phone out of his tailored slacks, swiped his thumb across the screen a few times, and shoved it in front of my face.

My eyes flicked to the bright screen. He was playing a video. The two people on the screen were him and me.

My past self was clutching his muscular arm, slurring my words. He cranked the volume all the way up, and my own loud, drunken voice echoed through the bedroom.

"Roman, just wait for me! Once I turn twenty, I'm going to be your woman!"

"Alright. I'll wait for you," the younger Roman's voice replied smoothly. "Just make sure you don't back out when the time comes."

"If I lie, I'm a stray dog!"

The video abruptly cut to black.

I sucked in a sharp breath. I had absolutely zero memory of ever saying those words.

Okay, maybe I had secretly drooled over his ridiculous physique a little bit, but I would never have the guts to actually say that to his face! But the girl in the video was undeniably me. Even the tiny mole on my collarbone was perfectly visible.

Roman shattered the heavy silence, crossing his arms over his bare chest with dangerous satisfaction. "Don't even try to tell me you forgot. This video is ironclad proof."

He leaned in closer, his dark eyes locking onto mine. "Because of those exact words, I've kept myself entirely off the market. I haven't had a single girlfriend."

His voice dropped into a deceptively soft, almost wounded tone. "Every time I wanted to see you, I had to trick that idiot Cleo into spilling your location. Whenever I tried to talk to you, you ran faster than a frightened rabbit. And then you have the nerve to insult me like"

I frantically threw my hands up, cutting him off before he could bring up the cocktail wiener comment again. "Okay! Stop right there. Look, I I sincerely apologize for whatever happened in the past, but I genuinely do not remember saying any of that."

I paused, desperately trying to salvage the situation. "I'm really sorry about the video text tonight. Total mistake on my part. My bad."

"Look, it's getting pretty late. Why don't you head home for now?"

Roman's jaw tightened, a dangerous shadow crossing his handsome features. I braced myself for another explosive reaction. But to my absolute shock, he just grabbed his shirt, stood up, and walked out the door without another word.

Chapter 5

He took two steps toward the hallway, stopped, and looked back over his shoulder. "You said you'd be my woman when you turned twenty. I've held onto that promise until today. So, Hazel, you're going to take responsibility."

The second the front door clicked shut downstairs, I scrambled to dig my buzzing phone out from under the bed. I shot Cleo a text, warning her not to leave because I had a huge surprise waiting for her.

I yanked at my hair, racking my brain trying to figure out when the hell I actually said those words. Seriously, my stupid mouth had zero filter. After a few minutes of coming up empty, I decided to stop torturing myself. It was time to head downstairs and settle the score with Cleo.

After changing into a fresh set of loungewear, I stomped heavily down the stairs, the hardwood floorboards banging loudly under my bare feet.

I spotted Cleo sprawled across my couch like a dead starfish.

I lunged at her, wrapping my hands playfully but firmly around her neck and shaking her. "Cleo! If you're that bored, go panhandle on the freeway!"

"Why the hell did you send me a video of your brother?!" I demanded as I shook her shoulders. "Do you not know that I have zero filter?! And another thing! Why didn't you save me? Are you even my best friend anymore?!"

Cleo fake-coughed a few times, her voice dropping to a hushed whisper. "I lost a game of Truth or Dare"

She threw me her classic puppy-dog eyes, carefully gauging my reaction before muttering, "I really wanted to save you, but honestly I kind of want a sister-in-law more."

I narrowed my eyes at her, shooting her a lethal glare. "No, Cleo, you don't. You and Roman really share the exact same delusional DNA. Keep dreaming, and keep my name out of your matching schemes."

I finally released her neck and slumped onto the cushion next to her. Before I could say another word, Cleo leaned in close and gasped dramatically.

"Peaches! What is that?! A hickey! And it's fresh!"

I slapped her pointing finger away, baring my teeth at her. "Shut up. You know exactly what it is."

Cleo let out a nervous, dry laugh. "Hey, I'm just excited for you! When my brother left, his face was literally dark as thunder."

"Keep running your mouth, and I'll forward your contact info straight to that guy you're dodging."

Cleo immediately threw her hands up in surrender. "Don't you dare! I'm zipping my lips. If I say another word, I'm a stray dog!"

I scoffed. "Yeah, there are a million stray dogs on the street, which one would you be? Anyway, your brother has a video of me on his phone. Did you know about that?"

Cleo looked down at her phone, not even bothering to glance up as she asked, "What video? Did my brother record you? How come I don't know about this?"

It looked like this idiot genuinely had no clue. When the hell was that video taken? Ugh, my head was spinning. We ended up messing around and talking until the early hours of the morning before finally crashing.

Even though I didn't hang her upside down and beat her, I did force her into agreeing to a few highly "fair" treaties regarding my privacy.

I honestly thought that after I pushed him away, Roman wouldn't come knocking on my door again anytime soon. I definitely didn't expect to wake up the next afternoon to Cleo calling me from downstairs, yelling about a massive feast.

"Peaches, get down here! We've got a massive spread, and it's all your favorites!"

"When did you order delivery? I'm starving. Hold on, I'm coming down right now."

Between the sheer terror and the chaos last night, I hadn't eaten nearly enough. I padded down the stairs, tossing a threat over the railing. "I swear to God, if this isn't an actual feast, I am ending your"

My voice completely died in my throat. Because sitting right there in my living room was Roman.

Roman was casually lounging on my soft pink sofa, his long, muscular legs spread wide, taking up half the space