Drawn To Darkness (Kings Of Mafia)

Walking into the restaurant Skylar recently opened, I grin from ear to ear as I glance around the establishment. The bamboo against the walls and lanterns hanging from the ceiling give the place a peaceful atmosphere.

I’m taken to an open table, and after I sit down, I dig my cell phone from my pocket and send a text message to Renzo so he’ll know I’m here.

A minute later my friend comes walking toward me and joins me at the table.

I take in the happiness shining from his eyes and say, “You look much better now that the shit with Montes has been dealt with.”

“I feel better.”

Montes’ organization was responsible for the murder of someone close to Renzo, and it unleashed the darkest parts of my friend. I’m glad to see he was able to find closure so he can move on with his life.

I glance around the seating area again, then say, “The place looks good. Where’s Skylar?”

He nods his head toward the back of the room. “She’s in the kitchen.”

I let out a sigh, which is followed by a chuckle. “I don’t know what to do with all the free time I have now that you’re not taking it all up with your shit.”

“If you’re bored, I can give you work,” he jokes. “I have a shipment of machine guns that needs to be checked.”

“Fuck no. I’m not that bored.”

A waiter comes to the table, and Renzo places an order for two tumblers of bourbon. Glancing at me, he asks, “You hungry?”

“I can eat.” The waiter offers me a menu which I decline. “I’ll have Skylar’s signature dish.”

“I’ll just have the bourbon,” Renzo tells the waiter before he focuses his attention on me again. “How are things with the opera house and ballet company?”

“It’s getting busy as we get closer to the winter show.” I raise an eyebrow at my friend. “Are you going to come to opening night?”

I expect him to decline because none of the guys understands my obsession with the arts.

“Sure. Skylar and I will be there.” I give Renzo a surprised look, which has him saying, “It’s the least I can do to repay you for everything you’ve done for me the past few months.” His eyes lock with mine. “If it weren’t for you, I’m not sure I would’ve made it through the shitstorm.”

His heartfelt words make me feel emotional, and I clear my throat as I shift in the chair.

To break the sappy moment between us, I mutter, “I knew you loved me.”

Renzo makes a snorting sound just as the server brings our drinks.

We both take a couple of sips of the amber liquid before he asks, “You still watching that ballerina like some crazy-ass stalker?”

I give him a playful glare before admitting, “She isn’t one of my ballerinas, and I haven’t seen her in a couple of weeks. I’ve tried to find her, but the woman is like a ghost.”

Renzo gives me an incredulous look. “You’re not able to find her? Seriously?”

“I’ve been checking the CCTV cameras in the area, and a couple of the shots I’ve managed to find of her never show her face.”

The corner of Renzo’s mouth lifts slightly as he says, “The fact that you’ve tried to track her down tells me you have a serious hard-on for the woman.”

I let out a burst of laughter before taking a sip of my drink. Swallowing the strong alcohol, I shrug. “It won’t be the end of the world if I don’t find her. I’m just intrigued to find out more about her.”

Renzo’s gaze narrows on me. “If you say so.”

Skylar coming out of the kitchen with a tray of food draws our attention.

“Hi, Dario,” she greets me with a smile.

A smile curves my lips as I climb to my feet, and after she places the tray on the table, I lean in to give her a quick hug.

“Hey. How are you doing, bellissima?” I ask, using the term of endearment to get a reaction from Renzo.

“Stop calling her that,” he growls as he grips his woman’s hand so he can tug her closer to him.

Laughing at my friend, I sit down again and grab my bowl of spicy Korean brisket.

“Damn, it smells mouthwatering,” I compliment Skylar.

“Wait until you taste it,” Renzo says with pride on his face.

“I need to get back to the kitchen,” Skylar mentions. She presses a kiss to Renzo’s mouth before leaving.

I dig into my food, and on my second bite, Renzo pulls a small box out of his pocket. Opening it, he asks, “What do you think of the ring?”

I almost choke on the food before I quickly swallow, and unable to resist, I exclaim, “Oh my God. I thought you’d never ask.”

When I reach for the box, Renzo slaps my hand away and mutters, “It’s for Skylar, dipshit.”

Laughing, I take a closer look. “I think she’ll love it. When are you proposing?”

“I’m not. I’m going to ask her to be my girlfriend. Plus, there’s a tracker in the ring, so I can track her at all times.”

“So romantic,” I drawl. Pretending to be Renzo, I mock him, “Here’s a tracker, bellissima. It’s a token of my undying obsession with you.”

He scowls at me as he tucks the small box back into his pocket. “I’m not going to say it like that. I’ve even ordered flowers.”

“I’m just fucking with you,” I say. “The ring is beautiful, and I think it’s cute that you’re asking her to be your girlfriend when you’ve already been dating for months.”

“Cute, my ass,” he grumbles. Glaring at me again, he adds, “Not everyone is as romantic as you.”

I wag my eyebrows at him. “I know. That’s what makes me such a catch.”

“Yet, your ass is still single,” he taunts me.

“By choice.” To rile him up again, I add, “I let you have Skylar.”

A dark frown settles on my friend’s face. “The fuck you just say?”

When I start to laugh, Renzo reaches across the table in an attempt to slap me upside the head, but I jerk away just in time to avoid his hand.

He settles back in his chair and mutters, “You can be glad you’re one of my favorite people, or you’d be dead right now.”

His phone begins to ring, and as he pulls the device out of his pocket, he gets up and says, “Enjoy the rest of your meal.”

I nod, and when he walks toward the back, where the offices are so he can take the call, I continue eating.

I’m surprised Renzo’s not asking Skylar to marry him, but then again, they’ve only known each other a few months and had one hell of a rocky start.

I’m more like Angelo in that regard. When I find the woman I want to spend my life with, I’ll tie her to me as quickly as humanly possible.

My elusive dancer pops into my mind’s eye, and tapping my fingers on the table’s surface, I wonder if I’ll get to see her again or whether I scared her off for good with the kiss.