The Mafia's heart

Justin's eyes narrowed as he approached Rhea. "What are you doing here?" He demanded.

Rhea stood her ground, despite the butterflies in her stomach. "I could ask you the same thing," she replied.

Justin's eyes flashed with annoyance. "I'm here for business," he growled. "What's your excuse?"

Rhea shrugged. "I'm just here to have some fun."

Justin's expression turned skeptical. "Fun?" He repeated. "You call this fun?"

Rhea nodded. "Yeah, I do."

Justin's eyes narrowed, and he took a step closer to her. " You're pushing your luck Rhea," he warned.

But before things could escalate further, some group of men approached them, their eyes fixed on Rhea.

"Hey, sweetheart," one of them called out, his voice dripping with malice. "Why don't you come over and join us?"

Rhea felt a surge of fear, but before she could respond, Justin stepped in front of her, his eyes blazing with anger.

"I don't think so," he growled, his voice low and menacing.

The man sneered at Justin, but he took a step back clearly intimidated.

"Mind your own business, Morano," he spat, before turning and walking away.

"What were you thinking, coming here?" He demanded, his voice cold.

Rhea felt a surge of defensiveness, but before she could respond, Justin's expression changed, and he looked at her with a hint of concern.

"Are you okay?" He asked, his voice softer.

Rhea nodded, feeling a little shaken. "Yeah, I'm fine."

Justin's eyes narrowed. "Good," he said. "Because if anything happens to you, I'd never forgive myself."

Rhea was surprised at Justin's words. She hadn't expected him to care.

But before she could redo, Sophia appeared at Justin's side, her eyes flashing with anger.

"What's going on here?" She demanded

Justin turned to Sophia, his expression neutral. "Nothing," he said. "Just a minor misunderstanding."

"I'm sure it's just a misunderstanding," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Rhea felt uneasy, but before she could respond, Justin intervened.

"Sophia,leave," he said, his voice firm.

Sophia's eyes flashed with anger, but she seemed to rein herself in. "Fine," she said."but this isn't over."

And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Rhea confused.

"Thanks for intervening back there," sh said, her voice soft.

"You're welcome," he said. But next time, stay out of trouble.

Rhea smiled, feeling a little more at ease.

"I'll try," she said.

"I doubt that," he replied.

And with that, he turned and walked away.

As she was watching him walk away, she couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She was still shaken by the encounter with the group of men, but at the same time, she was grateful to Justin for intervening.

But as she turned to leave, she was stopped by a arm. She turned to see one of the men from the group, the one who had been flirting with her earlier.

"Hey, love," he said. "I think we got off on the wrong foot earlier."

Rhea tried to shake off his hand, but he held tight. "Let me go," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.

But before things could escalate further, Justin appeared again,his eyes blazing.

"I thought I told you to leave her alone," he said.

The man let go of Rhea's arm, taking a step back. "Sorry, Morano," he said. "I didn't mean to cross any lines."

"You're lucky I don't make you regret it,"he said. "Now get out of here before I change my mind."

The man nodded, backing away slowly before turning to fleeing.

Rhea let out a breath, feeling a mix of relief and gratitude. " Thanks again," she said to Justin.

"I knew you couldn't stay out of trouble, Just be careful next time," he said. " And stay away from guys like that,"

Rhea nodded, feeling a little chastised. But at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a flutter in her chest at the way Justin was looking at her.

It was a look that was both protective and possessive, and Rhea couldn't help but wonder what it meant.

"Let's get you out of here," he said.

Rhea nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. She was grateful to be leaving the crowded room and unwanted attention behind.

As they walked out of the room, Rhea couldn't help but notice the way Justin's eyes scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering on each faces as if searching for someone.

"Who are you looking for?" Rhea asked, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Justin's gaze snapped back to hers. "No one," he said.

Rhea raised an eyebrow, sensing that he was hiding something. But before she could press him further, they reached the entrance of the building and Justin pushed open the door, gesturing for her to exit.

The cool night air hit Rhea like a slap in the face, and she felt a sense of clarity wash over her. She realized that she was in over her head, and that Justin was hiding secrets that she wasn't sure she wanted to uncover.

But as she turned to like Justin, she saw something in his eyes that gave her a pause. It was a glimmer of vulnerability, a hint of weakness that he quickly masked with his cold aura.

Rhea was curious, and she knew she couldn't just walk away. She had to know more.

"Thanks for walking me out," Rhea said, her voice casual.

"Okay," he said.

Amd with that, he turned and disappeared Into the night, leaving Rhea feeling more confused.

She decided to call a cab and head home.

As she waited for the cab to arrive, Thea couldn't help but think about Justin's words.

"Stay away from guys like that," he had said.

But what about guys like him?

Justin Morano was a mystery, and Rhea was determined to uncover his secrets.

The cab arrived, and Rhea got in, giving the driver her address.

As they drove through the city, Rhea's mind wandered back to Justin.

She thought about the way he had looked at her, the way he had touched her arm.

It was a spark of attraction that Rhea couldn't ignore.

But she knew that getting involved with Justin was a mistake, a sweet mistake.

The cab pulled up to Rhea's apartment building, and she got out, paying the driver.

As sh walked into her apartment, Rhea couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being watched.

She shrugged it off as paranoia, but the feeling lingered.

Amd as she got ready for bed, Rhea couldn't help but wonder what the the next day would bring.

Would she see Justin again?

And if she did, what would happen?

Rhea's mind was racing with questions, but she knew she wouldn't find the answers until tomorrow.

She got into bed, feeling a sense of unease that she couldn't shake off.