Page 41 of The Mob Boss' Pet

I pull my phone out of my pocket when it vibrates. The amount of gushing these two are doing is making my stomach ache. They were only apart a few days, but you’d think Roberto had been away at war for years with the way they’re carrying on.

I swipe my screen to life and read the messages coming from my connection at the police department.

Plates registered to Martin Peneva.

Who the fuck is he?

Carrier bringing over all information this afternoon.

I fist the phone. All this pussyfooting around, meanwhile Sergio’s killer is just walking around a free man. I should have a name by now.

“So, he won’t need another dose for six more hours.” Stephania’s gentle voice carries across the room to me, softening the tension in my chest.

She’s quiet today. It takes time to accept the things about yourself you think are bad. She’s got it stuck in her mind that the things we do together are wrong. It’s not something I can force her to understand; she has to come at it from her own experience.

“If you need me, just... well...” Her eyes lift up to find me. “I guess... just have someone let Vincenzo know.”

“Vincenzo?” Sarah asks, clearly confused. “Can’t I just go down to your room?”

“No.” I step forward, slipping the phone into my pocket. “You’ll find me if you need Stephania.”

Sarah starts to say something, but Roberto squeezes her hand and she closes her mouth.

“Okay.”

“Good.” I turn to Stephania. “Let’s go.” I gesture to the door.

The soft smile fades from her lips. “Of course.”

I have some fun planned for her, but she’s not aware of it. She’s probably still expecting me to drag her down the hall on her leash. An idea that has a lot of promise, but with Sarah around I’ve been nice enough to let her roam without her collar.

“Anton is coming by this afternoon, too,” I tell Roberto.

“Great. You guys are making this worse than it has to be,” he chides.

“It’s good that your brother wants to check on you,” Sarah says, but there’s a touch of sadness to her tone. “It’s good you have people you can trust with everything.”

“Sarah...” Roberto frowns.

“Stephania, let’s go.” I snap my fingers. Roberto doesn’t need witnesses.

“I’ll see you later.” Stephania forces a pleasant grin, then leaves Roberto’s bedside, heading for the door.

Roberto will have to find his own way of navigating the conversation, and I know he’ll keep our family safe. Sarah will either fully accept his life, or she won’t. There are no half loyalties allowed in our family.

“Don’t snap your fingers at me ever again.” Stephania shoves my shoulder as soon as the door’s closed behind me.

I look at the spot she touched, then casually bring my gaze to meet hers. Hot and angry. It’s better than the quiet mouse that’s been padding around my bedroom all morning.

“A few things.” I step up to her, crowding her. She won’t back up; it’s not her way to retreat when I advance. It’s one of the things I admire about her.

“One.” I hold up my finger. “You don’t ever shove me.” I flip up a second digit. “Two, fix your tone before I fix it for you. And three, I wasn’t snapping my fingers to be disrespectful. I was just trying to get your attention.”

She raises her eyebrows and huffs. It’s a quiet little sound, but it’s there and it makes her all the sweeter.

“I don’t like it.” She raises her chin.

I lightly run my fingertip over her lip. “The problem isn’t that you don’t like it. The problem you have is that you do. But we’ll work on that.”

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