Page 23 of Mafia Wedding

'Bailey will take care of you, too.'

Those were Astro's exact words.

'She's a very special girl.'

It was another thing her grandfather said, and he believed that now.

Had believed it for a long time, since there was not a day that passed that Bailey didn't do or say something to prove it.

Bailey was the only one in this world who could face people like Kayra and him without fear.

The only one who could listen to their truth without judgment.

His wife was the only one who would never hesitate to hold on to them no matter what they said or did—-

And that was the most special thing about her.

Bailey was the anchor for his soul, and so if it was a baby she wanted...

A baby, my God...

His baby and Bailey's...

A part of him was still uneasy at the thought of fathering a child, but if by not facing his fears he could end up losing his wife for good—-

What would You have me do, God?

Hearing his wife ask for a divorce earlier almost had Stelios losing his mind, and only years of disciplined training had him looking fucking calm and in control.

But inside of him?

All he had been able to think about was death.

All he had wanted to do was kill for the sake of killing—-

Just fucking kill and kill and kill in order to purge the boiling rage that was urging him to lock his wife up and keep her his even if it meant making her hate him forever.

Bailey, for better or for worse, had become his personal barometer for sanity.

There was no rhyme nor reason for how or why it happened.

It was as if something had just fucking clicked - or snapped - and she became everything to him in a fucking instant. For as long as she was by his side, he would stay sane...but he would rather burn the whole fucking world if that was what it took to keep his wife from running away from him.

It was just how monsters like him operated, and if there was anything Stelios learned from today, that would be it.

Bailey was the only thing that kept him human, and there was no keeping his rage or obsession in check...if his wife were to insist on a divorce.

A dream come true

I'M NOT SURE IF I SHOULD feel relieved or disappointed when I wake to another one of Stelios' notes waiting for me on the bedside table.

Out with Astro. Call me when you're up.

~ S

I'm tempted to pretend I never saw his note and use it an excuse not to call him, but since I also know the five security cameras installed in our bedroom can easily expose my lies—-

Riiiing.

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