Shielded by My Mafia Protector

n't know where she was going, but she couldn't stay there, not with him looming behind her. Not with him watching her

time in years,

reful, her stepfather would find her. He always found her. His connections ran deep, like the roots of a

but the clothes on her back. She couldn't even remem

ome from parties. The city was alive in a way she hadn't allowed herself to notice before-flashing neon lig

alked down the grimy street. Her steps were quick, but purpose

to a shelter. She knew that. But she couldn't bea

e life she'd never had, but she couldn't. Not with th

tsteps behind he

were following her. She had felt their eyes on her all night-two men, walking t

reased slowly. Sh

er. Her mind raced, but there was nowhere to run or hide in the poorly lit alley. Her heart slammed ag

igure stepped out from the alleyway ahead of her, bloc

who brought every gang membe

. Alex was the enforcer for the Morano family, a man whose name was whispered with equal par

t move-he just stood there, a hulking figure in a

ordered, his voice

sure if it was because of him or the men be

she stammered, taking a shaky st

had been tailing her. They stopped in t

g to let you go that easily

. It was as if the situation were benea

ehind her stepped forward, their

one of them sneered. "It's

he men with the calmness of someone who had dealt

, but there was a quiet m

in their eyes, the hesitation as they weighed their options. It was obvious they were consider

strength that made Lexi's stomach twist. The second man reached for a gun tucked int

to the ground,

t even bre

ith a sickening thud, then turned to the

oice like ice. "Get up and walk away. O

is wide eyes. Without another word, he turned and bolte

less, watching them disa

hink, what to say. He had just... saved her. From the

he sank to her knees on the cold, damp sidew

e?" she whispered,

e picked up the jacket he had

their target," he finally said, his

espond, a voice rang

le

p. She looked toward the sound, her heart raci

sharp suit and a cold, calculating look in his eyes. Millie

ex ordered the man, his g

grabbed her arm, pulling h

me," he said, his gr

th led her down the alleyway.