Page 22 of Mafia Mistress

“Really?”

“I never go back on my word once a deal is made.”

“Fine.”

She answered too quickly and now I was the suspicious one. What was she planning? My friend Celestina would provide enough choices for Francesca to find a dress she liked. There would be no way around it. I held out my hands. “See? That was not so difficult.”

“I want a phone.”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“First, because you haven’t earned the privilege. Second, it isn’t safe. If you need to make a call, Giulio or I can help you. Until you learn our rules and are willing to abide by them, it is too risky.”

“I need to call my family.”

“I will think about it.”

Her nostrils flared and I could see how she struggled not to lash out. After a long second, she asked, “And how am I supposed to earn these privileges?”

“By doing what you are told. Stop fighting me and the marriage to my son. Accept your fate, Francesca.”

Gracefully, she rose out of the chair. “I’d rather you kept your privileges. If that is all, capo?”

My title falling from her lips, even in sarcasm, twisted something dark and hot inside me, like the word unlocked a secret fetish I hadn’t known until now. I wanted to hear her say it again, but from her knees, begging me to fuck her mouth. Or on her back while I rode her hard. I wanted her to breathe it in my ear and scream it as she came. I wanted it to be both pleasure and pain, the only word she remembered in the bedroom.

I stared at her, breathing hard, an erection growing in my trousers, all the while convinced I was losing my mind. Never had a woman gotten under my skin in such a fashion. This could not continue. I needed her settled with Giulio. She would never be mine.

The best thing I could do was to push the two of them together more often. Starting tonight.

“That is all,” I said. “Enjoy your dinner in town later.”

Her dark brown brows pinched but she didn’t look at me. “Dinner in town?”

“With Giulio. I assume he told you, no?” Giulio hadn’t mentioned it because I just decided on the outing, but she didn’t need to know that.

“I can’t believe you are trusting me off the estate.”

Trust never even entered my mind. I had eyes and ears everywhere in Siderno and she wouldn’t get far if she tried to escape. Someone would turn her in to me. The wrath of the ’Ndrangheta meant certain death, and not many would be stupid enough to risk their lives to help a stranger. I’d make sure Giulio took some of our guards, as well. “I don’t need trust, Francesca, because you know who suffers if you disobey me.”

“Me?”

“And your sisters.”

Hate blazed in her gaze, her body nearly vibrating with the urge to shout at me, to scratch my eyes out. Anything to ease her suffering. But there would be no relief. I got what I wanted—always.

“You truly are the Devil.”

I gave her a sinister smile, the one I reserved for those who cheated or lied to me. “Never forget it, piccola monella.”

* * *

Marco walkedinto my office shortly after Francesca stormed out. My cousin did not appear happy, but his news would have to wait. I pointed at a chair. “Sit down. I have an errand for you.”

“When? Now?”

“Giulio is taking Francesca to dinner in town tonight. I want you to go with them.”

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