Page 32 of Bound to the Mafia King

“I happen to think there is plenty to talk about.” She crossed her arms over her chest and offered me a pointed look.

I sighed deeply. “If you want to scold me, can it wait till morning, sister?”

“It is morning.”

“I mean when the sun is up, preferably afternoon. I’m free at 2.” I turned back to the punching bag, ready to resume what I had already started.

“You can’t have her, Valerio.”

My fist stopped mid-air. I tried to control my reaction because I didn’t want to seem suspicious. I knew exactly who she was talking about, but playing dumb was my best bet here.

Savina had a way of seeing right through the bullshit, and it was what made her such a good leader. But I had a knack for playing shit off. I had been doing it my entire life with my brother.

“You need to be more specific. I can’t have who now? Linda, the new cook?” I added a little smirk to make it more convincing.“Or maybe you mean Miranda. I’m afraid that I already fucked her a few weeks back.”

That was a lie. It had been months back, but she didn't need to know that.

“Valerio.”

I looked over my shoulder and saw the serious look in her eyes. However, I was not about to take the bait. She wanted me to out myself even though she already knew. I could see the truth swimming in her eyes.

“Do you really think anything in this house happens without my knowledge?”

“I don’t know what you mean, sister.” I was about to send my fist flying to the thick leather when she cut me off again.

“She is betrothed, Valerio.”

I paused. The silence that washed over us was deafening.

“You can have any other woman on the face of the Earth. Why must you pick one that is taken? I gave my word to protect her and keep her innocence intact. You will not make a liar out of me.” Her words were sharp and precise. There was no room for argument in her tone, but unfortunately, I had never cared for authority.

I threw my fist into the bag before I turned to face my dear sister-in-law. Though motherhood had softened her, she still held the remnants of that Ice Queen title they had given her when she took over.

“Like I said, I don’t know who you're talking about.”

“Valerio.”

“Savina.” I mimicked her tone. “I think my workout is done here.”

I moved to the side so I could leave the gym, but Sav blocked my path. I tried to move again, and she did the exact same thing.

“Don’t make me pick you up, Savina.”

She scoffed. “Do you like your balls attached to your body?”

I knew her enough to know that her words were not a threat but a promise. I had been on the receiving end of one of those said promises once upon a time.

“Who is she to you?” Her question caught me off guard, but still, my features remained the same.

“Who are you talking about?”

“Anastasia. The girl I have taken under my ward. Who is she to you, Valerio? Don’t lie to me.”

“She is the girl you have taken under your ward.” I was being a smartass, but the last thing I wanted to do was to have to get into this whole Ana mess. I wasn’t even sure why I was drawn to the girl.

Had she saved my life? Yes. Was she sexy as fuck? Absolutely. But there were billions of women in the world. Why was it that my mind was stuck on her?

She was my drug.

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