Page 67 of Assassin's Obsession

"What are you, Batman? Don't tell me there's a secret cave under this pile of rocks with super cool crime-fighting technology." Still not acknowledging theCookie and Mira's bedroomscomment. "And you actually have freakin' wings in this house? How very Bridgerton of you."

"Since I am a criminal, there is no crime fighting tech in the basement, or anywhere else in the mansion. There is an armory though and another saferoom kitted out like an apartment."

"Wow, you are really ready for a siege."

"I will always make sure my family is protected."

"I'm making a rule. No more comments about me being your family. And definitely not another word about my mom and sister moving in if you want to share that bed with me." I wave my arm toward the giant bed covered in silver gray bedding with teal accents.

Angelo's gray eyes go molten and he mimes zipping his lips.

Chapter 20

ANGELO

I can't believe Candi just agreed to share our bed with me. I expected her to argue about it and was prepared to make myself a bed on the floor.

Not to leave, of course, but I doubt she'd expect me to. We belong together and I think under her Grumpy Cat cynicism she knows it.

Candi’s disheveled appearance reminds me that there is something we need to do before living out one of the many fantasies that have played over and over again in my head for the last year.

"Come on,amate. I think you're going to like the bathroom." Taking her soft, smaller hand in mine I lead her into the bathroom.

Just like the bedroom, the designer used teal in the décor because I told her to. It's Candi's favorite color. Will she notice the intentional mix of teal and gray? The color of my eyes paired with the color that she likes best is a reflection of our connection.

Of our lives entwined.

I thought about telling the designer to use the rich chocolate brown of Candi's eyes as the other accent color. But that shade of brown belongs to me. Not the staff that makes the bed, or the cleaners who vacuum under it.

Just me. Does that make me a little obsessed? Maybe, but I'm a sociopath and she's my person. That means I'm possessive about everything personal related to Candi.

"What do you think?" I can't help asking.

I've been waiting months to share the home I bought and furnished for her withla mia piccola gatta.

She takes a second to look at the double sink vanity made with a space for her to sit and do her hair and makeup. Her gaze slides to the walk-in shower with teal frosted glass surround and the oversized tub that we can bathe in together. It has jets that are placed specifically to soothe sore leg and back muscles because of her dancing.

Whether, or not, she continues to work at Pitiful Princess, my Candi loves to dance. If it is up to me, she will always have an outlet for that.

"Do you want me to buy you a dance studio?" Would she enjoy teaching dance?

She's working on a degree in business, but that could apply to lots of stuff. It doesn't have to mean she hopes to have her own studio one day.

One thing I've never heard her talk about to her mom or sister is Candi's plans for the future.

She gives me that deer in the headlights look again, like when I mentioned her mom and sister's room in the other wing. "Uh, I don't know how to answer that."

"Yes, or no works for me. Or you need to think about it." The book I read on relationships said that some people are used to snap decisions (that would be me) and others need time to consider all the angles.

Candi might be like that.

She winces. "Can we focus on the here and now?"

So, the idea of a dance studio is like her mom and sister moving in with us. Something she has to get used to. "Sure,piccola gatta."

She makes a choked sound, and I realize she's caught an image of herself in the mirror.

Her hands fly to her head and she tries to smooth down the tangled brown strands. "Why didn't you tell me I was such a mess?"

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