Page 63 of Arranged Mafia Marriage

As Felicity walks toward us, I’m filled with pride and frustration. She defied me, putting herself and the baby in danger, but she might have just brokered peace with our greatest enemy.

I step out of the car to meet her, my face a careful mask. “Felicity,” I say, my voice low. “We need to talk.”

She’s initially startled to see me, but there’s no fear in her reaction, which pleases me in spite of my anger. She meets my gaze, chin raised defiantly. “Yes, we do, but let’s go somewhere safer first.”

I nod, opening the car door for her. As we drive back to the penthouse, I can’t shake the feeling that everything is about to change, and for once, I’m not sure if I’m entirely in control.

Once Viktor drops us at the front, we walk into the foyer and to the elevator doors. When they slide open at the penthouse, I step out as she walks beside me. My anger is simmering beneath the surface. Felicity stands in the penthouse entryway, defiantly staring at me.

I stride toward her, keeping my voice low but not regulating my anger. “What were you thinking?”

Though she flinches, she doesn’t back down. “I was thinking we needed a solution, and I found one.”

I bite back harsh words of frustration, but my voice still emerges sound sharp and angry. “You put yourself in danger. Damiano could have killed you.”

“But he didn’t. He listened. We have a chance at peace now.”

I pace the room, trying to rein in my emotions. “You went behind my back. You could have died and then everything would fall apart. My world would be empty without you, Felicity. This goes beyond Bratva business.”

Felicity follows me, her voice rising. “I’m not some delicate flower, Kiril. I can handle myself, and I wouldn’t have gone behind your back if you’d listened to me and treated me like a partner instead of making edicts.”

I whirl around to face her. “This isn’t that simple, Felicity. These are dangerous people we’re dealing with.”

“I know that,” she snaps. “That’s why I did what I did. To find a way to end this without more bloodshed.”

I step closer to her, my voice dropping to a growl. “You should have come to me first.”

She doesn’t back down. “Would you have listened this time? Or would you have shut me down again and kept me out of the loop like you were doing?”

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. I take a step back, running a hand down my face. “I’m trying to save you.”

“I don’t need protection,” Felicity says, her voice softening slightly. “I need a partner. Someone who trusts me and values my input.”

I really look at her and see the strength radiating from her. It’s one of the things I admire about her, even when it thwarts my plans. “You’re right,” I admit, the words feeling foreign on my tongue. “I should have trusted you more.”

She blinks with obvious surprise. “Really?”

I nod, moving closer to her again. “You’ve proven yourself time and time again. I just worry about you.”

She reaches out, placing a hand on my chest. “I know you do, but we’re stronger together, Kiril. You have to see that.”

I cover her hand with mine, feeling the warmth of her skin. “I do see it. I’m sorry I didn’t before.”

Her expression loses the last vestiges of defensiveness as she presses her lips to mine. The kiss is gentle at first, but quickly grows heated. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her flush against me.

When we break apart, both breathing heavily, I rest my forehead against hers. “We need to talk about how we’re going to handle this situation with Damiano.”

Felicity nods. “Together?”

A smile tugs at the corner of my lips. “Together.”

We move to the living room, sitting side by side on the couch. Felicity outlines her conversation with Damiano, and I listen intently, asking questions and offering input. When we finish discussing strategy, she turns to me, her eyes sparkling witha playful glint. She bites her lower lip, a gesture I’ve come to recognize as both alluring and mischievous. “We argue a lot.”

I clear my throat. “Yes, we do.”

“It usually ends well though.” She wiggles her eyebrows. “Making up.”

“You mean sex?”

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