Page 24 of Mafia Wedding

My husband picks up almost immediately. "Hello, wife."

"Hey, dude."

A part of me is just waiting for him to complain about this like always, but instead I hear him say musingly, "That's interesting."

Huh?

Stelios sends a request to switch to video call, and my husband's gorgeous face pops up on my screen.

"Can you say it again?"

"Say what? Dude?"

My husband's expression turns satisfied. "Nothing used to be as irritating as hearing my wife call me 'dude', but right now I find the word practically endearing."

"Riiiiight."

"I think it has to do with how things have changed between us," he says thoughtfully. "Now that I'm free to play with your body as I wish—-"

"Oh my God, Stelios!" I have no idea where he is, but I can literally see the people standing behind him avidly listening to our conversation.

"I don't think I'll even mind if you were to scream 'dude' when I make you come—-"

Well, that does it.

"Um...hello? Stelios? Are you still there? I can't quite hear you. You're breaking up."

I struggle not to laugh when the last thing I see before disconnecting the call is my husband rolling his eyes at me.

'Stop talking about stuff like that in public,' I type on my phone before hitting Send, and it takes only a moment before Stelios' answer hits my inbox.

Stelios: Your happiness will always be my number one priority, but that one I cannot promise. I love seeing you squirm. It turns me on.

Me: Perv.

Stelios: Only with you, Mrs. Diamandis.

I know I shouldn't take that as a compliment, but my body is already betraying me with the way that place between my legs has started to tingle.

Since when did 'wanton' become your middle name, B?!

I quickly look for a change of subject that can get our conversation back to a safer track.

Me: What are you and Papou up to?

Stelios: Your grandfather is currently speaking to the coroner who examined Helene's body. We want to make sure there really isn't any foul play involved.

Me: And if there is? Are you guys thinking there's a possibility someone would pin her murder on any one of you?

Stelios: This is not something for you to worry about, glikiá mou. I made a promise when I married you, and I intend to keep it. I will never let anything happen to you...or our baby.

My fingers hover over my phone, but I can't think of anything to say.

Am I really going to let Stelios take my virginity and risk falling harder in love with him?

Am I really going to let him come inside of me as many times as it would take until we make a baby?

Gimme a sign, God.

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