Mated To The Mafia Werewolves

“Tell me the truth, Blaze. Did you know about Arabella’s whereabouts?” Janice inquired, gently placing an ice pack on his broken ribs. She playfully flicked his head and chuckled at his wince.

“What’s that for?” Blaze glared, massaging his temple.

“I wanted to check if it needs a bandage. And now I have my answer.”

“I’ll manage,” he said, removing her hand from his head. “I can heal myself, remember?”

“Oh, right. I keep forgetting that. Sometimes I forget you’re a pure-blood werewolf.”

Janice bit her lower lip, feeling a flush on her cheeks from the contact of his hand. She grimaced and turned away.

“I don’t know where Arabella is,” Blaze spoke up.

Janice’s head shot up, brows creased. “Then why was Sandro hitting you if you don’t know where she went? He’s too impatient.”This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

“Don’t say that in front of him. The last thing I want is to see you punished,” Blaze warned.

“Sandro will never punish me!” Janice retorted, sighing. “But what he did to Arabella is awful. She doesn’t deserve what he did; she only wanted a peaceful life. But I know that’s impossible with Sandro around.”

“I hope she manages to get far away from him. He’s being needlessly cruel. He seems to relish her suffering,” Blaze rasped, stretching. His muscles popped as he moved, but his ribs still throbbed.

Healing would take a few hours because he was a pureblood werewolf. Those with one human parent possessed the same ability, but they often took longer to heal.

Janice shook her head. “I hope she’s safe, given her condition. And maybe Sandro will stop acting like a jerk if he doesn’t find her.”

Blaze shrugged but remained silent.

After Janice finished applying ointment to his bruises, even though it wasn’t necessary, he allowed her to do it to avoid her protests.

Blaze lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. He wasn’t angry that Sandro had hit him. Maybe he deserved it for what he did, but then again, perhaps it was for the best.

Closing his eyes, he snapped them open and fixed his gaze on the clock. Then he shot out of bed.

“Shit,” he mumbled, grabbing his clothes and hastily putting them on. He winced as he slipped into the bloodied shirt. He had promised Arabella he’d return after reporting in at the De Luca Villa. He hadn’t anticipated it taking this long, and he began to wonder if she was alright since she hadn’t contacted him yet.

Furthermore, with Alessandro searching for her, he worried about the possibility of him stumbling upon her location. However, it was unlikely. The journey from Thalia’s place to the De Luca Villa was only three hours, and despite the proximity, Arabella was unlikely to be spotted.

He was even more concerned about leaving Thalia alone with Arabella than the thought of Sandro discovering her hiding spot. Rushing toward the door, his hand reached for the handle, but the door creaked open before he could grip it.

“Are you heading out?” Janice asked as she entered the room carrying a large tray.

“Yes,” Blaze muttered, attempting to exit the room.

“Why not eat before you go? What’s the hurry? Is it something urgent?”

“It’s important,” Blaze replied curtly.

“I don’t think anything is as crucial as having a meal. Plus, you don’t seem to have much strength left in you. How will you cope if you’re attacked?”

“I can manage,” Blaze grunted, then shot her a glare.

“I’m just worried,” Janice shrugged. “I can take this back to the kitchen if you’re not interested…”

Blaze’s stomach rumbled as the aroma of the food on the tray reached his nose.

“I’ll eat,” he mumbled, his eyes narrowing at Janice as she set the tray in front of him. He noticed her smile widening, and as she settled into a plush seat near the coffee table, Blaze tilted his head, observing her.

“What?”

“You seem happy.”

There was something about Janice that he liked. Despite her often annoying him, he appreciated her cooking. She was the best cook in the house, even though she wasn’t quite on par with Thalia. Among the De Luca household members, she stood out. She had a knack for putting things together, a skill that set her apart.

“I’m happy all the time,” Janice rolled her eyes. “But how did you notice? You’ve never mentioned this before.”

“I’m not blind.”

“Of course you’re not,” Janice replied, rolling her eyes. She rested both hands under her chin and watched as he devoured his food. A smile graced her lips as she sighed. He looked incredibly attractive every time she saw him, and she doubted whether he had any idea of how much he affected her.

“I’m finished.”

Janice snapped out of her daydream, her gaze shifting to see him wiping his mouth with a napkin. She glanced at the tray, noticing it was nearly empty.

“Wow, you have quite an appetite.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Oh no, I find it sexy,” Janice blurted out. She bit her lower lip and blushed as his eyes met hers.

“I mean, it’s perfectly fine to have a healthy appetite, and I’m glad you enjoyed the meal,” she rambled, mentally scolding herself.

“You’re a talented cook, and I doubt there’s anyone who wouldn’t enjoy your food,” Blaze said, his gaze flicking back to the wall clock.

“I need to head out.”

“Of course,” Janice nodded, standing up.

“Let Sandro know I’m going on patrol.”

She nodded again and watched as he left the room. Once he was out the door, she hurried to the window and peered through the curtains.

Janice sighed as Blaze put on a black hoodie. Her heart raced in her chest as he turned. Their eyes met, and a blush tinted her cheeks.

“He saw me,” she mumbled, opening the window.

“And so sexy!” she groaned as he winked at her.

Her core tingled, and she returned his smile before he disappeared from view.

“What am I doing?” Janice plopped onto the bed, stretching her arms out, then pressed a hand to her pounding chest.

“I can’t shake this feeling. He’s taken over my thoughts and sanity. Janice, get a grip!” She scolded herself, snapping her fingers in front of her.

But neither her brain nor her heart paid any attention to her words.