Page 54 of Captive Mafia Wife

She gives a choked laugh. “That’s as far as it went. Still, I knew things had already gone too far. I didn’t know how to go back. I felt icky, yucky, ashamed. I thought if the women of the island were to find out, they’d blame me. The lipstick, the short skirt…” She sniffs. “Now, I know better. They would have driven him off the island with pitchforks.”

“Were you able to tell anyone? Callum?”

“Gah, no! I was terrified to tell my brother. I knew he’d do something crazy. I didn’t want him ending up in prison.”

“Have you carried this weight with you, alone, all these years?”

“Yeah. And the worst part? I thought it would be over when I moved off the island, but it never was. Every boyfriend I had…” Her voice trails off. Suddenly, her eyes shoot up, locking on mine. “You are the first, the only, man who understood.” With that, she throws her arms around my neck, melting against me. “Thank you.”

Our naked bodies press together as I hold her tight. “I’ll never, ever let anything happen to you. Ever.”

If another man were even to make her slightly uncomfortable in his presence…

We sleep in one another’s arms. In the morning, dressed in festive clothing, with our arms wrapped around one another’s waists, we stare up at our perfect tree. I hear a bell tinkling and, following the sound, I glance over to find Joyeux running into the room, looking dapper in his red bow tie. He brushes against my ankles.

I scoop him up; he wiggles toward Freya, his new love. Unable to blame him for falling under her spell, I hand him over. She takes him, cooing at the cat. “Aren’t you just a handsome little man? Have you seen our tree?” Looking back at the tree, she leans her head on my shoulder. “We make a good team. Don’t we?”

“We do.”

Overhearing as she walks by, MAWR-vein pats Joyeux, her allergies no longer an issue. “You certainly do make a pair,” she says, surprising us both when she adds, “You’ve found your better half, sir. Don’t let this one get away.”

Freya beams at Morven’s approval.

It’s a perfect moment.

The thought brings back my fears that I’m not capable of giving her everything she needs.

The thing she needs most.

I don’t know how to love someone. It’s been so long, and even then, there was only one person. She was ripped away from me. I don’t know if I can risk opening myself up again.

If I can love her the way she deserves.

I’ll not deprive precious Freya of anything. If I am not capable of giving her everything she needs…

I will do the right thing.

Which is always the thing that seems impossible.

I will let her go.

Chapter Fifteen

Freya

No workand all play make Freya a cranky mob wife. 'Scuse me. Fiancée.

I’m still getting used to the title. The ring already feels like an extension of me. Not only did he pick a gorgeous, flawless, brilliant diamond, but the piece is just—me.

He chose a ring so perfect that if I had my phone, I’d change his contact fromFreaky FreddietoFrisky Fiancé. But I don’t have a cell phone, and I’m still confused, and I’ve heard nothing from Callum.

Hence, there are no current plans for a wedding. Wearing the ring has been enough to appease him. With my whole world changing, I’m leery of making a lifelong commitment.

An engagement can be broken.

A marriage cannot. When I say vows, I mean them. I wish the Kings would realize that.

The girls at the firm have been told I’m back on the island, visiting my dear Aunt Mary. That she recently had a health issue, that she begged for me specifically, and that, in my selflessness, I’ve gone to stay with her and nurse her back to health.

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