Chapter 275


    Chapter 275 Unlikely Attraction


    E


    Marina’s father’s words made me feel unexpectedly unsettled. I cocked my head, looking at him for a


    moment. Was that a threat, because I asked too many questions? Or a friendly warning out of


    concern?


    “Pardon?” I asked, clenching my drink a little tighter in my hand. “Miss Morgan, I’m sure you


    understand what I mean,” Marina’s father said, his eyes fixed on mine. His voice was kind, but there


    was a knowing look in his eyes that unsettled me.


    I gave him a reassuring smile, though I felt. anything but reassured. “I appreciate your concern, but I


    assure you, I have things under control. There’s no need for you to worry about me.”


    He continued to look at me for a moment longer, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was as though he could


    see right through me, understanding that I was lying.


    Through my carefully constructed facade of a perfectly cool and calm young woman, there was a little


    girl screaming on the inside, begging to leave. And at that moment, I felt certain that he saw her. But all


    he did was nod slowly, a small smile ying on his lips.


    “Very well, E,” he said, his voice gentle, “Take care of yourself.”


    With that, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone at the bar. I felt a sudden urge to escape the


    room, to find a ce where I could breathe and gather my thoughts.


    Slipping into a private hallway, I leaned against the wall, letting out a deep breath. My heart was racing,


    and my mind was a whirl of conflicting emotions.


    “I think you handled that quite well,” Ema said, her voice soothing. “You’re stronger than you think, E.


    You’re handling everything well.”


    I closed my eyes, leaning into the support and strength Ema lent me. “I don’t know, Ema. This world…


    it’s so different from anything I’ve known. I feel like I’m out of my depth.”


    “You’re doing just fine,” she reassured me, her presenceforting. “You’re strong, E, and you have


    what it takes to get through this night. Like we said, it’s not all that different from your dad’s awful


    business parties.”


    I let out an involuntary, wry chuckle. “Yeah,” I replied. “Except people don’t typically have the threat of


    being murdered on their minds when they’re at my dad’s business parties.”


    Despite my worries, though, Ema was right. I was strong, and I could handle this. I took another deep


    breath, feeling a little stronger, a little more in control.


    “I need some fresh air,” I whispered to myself, making my way towards the balcony. As I stood on the


    balcony, the cool air enveloped me, feeling like a soothing balm against my heated skin. It was a gentle


    caress, filled with the fragrance of night-blooming flowers and a hint of the distant sea.


    The crisp breeze rustled through the nearby trees, whispering secrets and creating a melody that


    seemed to harmonize with my restless soul. It had a purity to it, untouched by the chaos and pretense


    of the evening, and I took a deep breath, letting it fill my lungs and calm my anxious heart.


    Below me, the city lights stretched out like a glittering sea, a myriad of colors dancing and reflecting off


    the buildings’ ss facades. Skyscrapers reached for the heavens, their peaks lost in the soft embrace


    of low-hanging clouds, while streetlights created glowing veins that pulsed with life through the city’s


    arteries.


    The distant hum of traffic melded with the asionalughter and music drifting from nearby homes,


    creating a symphony of urban life that was both exhrating and soothing.


    I leaned against the railing, my eyes wandering over the breathtaking view. The lights shimmered and


    shifted, creating patterns that told a story of life, love, ambition, and dreams. Each flicker seemed to


    represent a heartbeat, a moment captured in time, a connection to something greater. I felt a sense of


    unity with the city, a feeling that I was part of something vast andplex, yet intimately personal.


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    The horizon held a soft glow, where the city’s illumination met the dark embrace of the night. Stars


    peeked through the veil of lights, twinkling like distant dreams, and the moon hung low, casting a silvery


    reflection that seemed to dance on the rooftops.


    I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the cool air on my face, listening to the sounds of the city, and


    allowing the sensations to wash over me. For a moment, if I really focused, I could imagine that I was


    back home in our penthouse. But only for a moment.


    Because just then, I heard footsteps, and my reverie was broken. I turned to see Logan approaching.


    “Are you okay?” he asked, his voice filled with concern. I looked over at him, my eyes meeting his.


    “My parents are bound to find out about our ‘rtionship’ eventually,” I admitted, my voice tinged with


    worry. “I wonder if they’ll disown me for being with a Mafia guy. Even if it is all fake.”


    Logan sighed. “I know you’re worried,” he said. “But I promise I’ll try not to let your parents know about


    the Mafia ties, at least until our cooperation ends. Or until you fall in love with me.”


    I frowned, punching Logan in the shoulder. He chuckled and leaned on the railing next to me.


    “Besides,” he continued, “if they do find out someday for whatever reason, I’ll make them like me so


    much they’ll hardly even notice the Mafia part.”


    I had tough. “You’re full of yourself, Logan Barrett.”


    Logan grinned. “I know. It’s one of my better traits.” Logan’s words offered me a semnce of


    reassurance. But I still wasn’t so sure, and I let my doubts show.


    “My father hates illegal dealings, Logan,” I let out along with a sigh. “He has built his reputation on


    integrity and honesty. I can’t help but wonder if this is even all worth it. He probably won’t want to work


    with you if he finds out.”


    “Well, if that happens, I’ll just have to deal with it, won’t I?” Logan asked, looking out over the city. “And,


    no, before you ask: not in a ‘sleeping with the fishes’ sort of way. I’m aware of the consequences of my


    upbringing and business dealings. I’ll be willing to face those consequences.”


    Logan’s response took me by surprise. It was shockingly cool and mature, much unlike some of the


    other things that I had heard him utter before.


    I looked over at Logan, and found that my eyes were drawn to the outline of his stitches through his


    shirt. He was leaning on the railing, looking out over the city, his sharp jawline reflecting the city lights.


    He had left his jacket somewhere inside, and now wore only his white button-down shirt, his sleeves


    rolled up slightly.


    I hated to admit it, but… He was handsome. Incredibly handsome. Despite my concerns, I couldn’t help


    but feel attracted to him in that moment. There was something about his strength, his confidence, his


    scars that drew me to him.


    He looked up at me, and there was a slight smile ying on his lips. “What is it, princess?” he asked,


    studying my face. “Cat got your tongue?”