Page 70 of Mistletoe in the Mafia

“Madelyn, it’s freezing. As in it’s literally fucking snowing out there, and you decided to go for a swim?”

I nod, acting oblivious. “Of course. Also, I’m glad you mentioned the snow. I was so excited when it started to fall. Snow’s, like, the last sign of Christmas. It’s finally here!”

“Madelyn,” he growls, eyes narrowed. “Why did you go for a swim?”

Finally I sigh, offering him a chastened expression. “I swim when I’m stressed out. It helps me calm down.” After he ghostedme today, I just needed an outlet. “I’m fine now, honestly,” I say, rubbing his arms.

“You like to swim?” he asks carefully.

I nod. “Yeah, it’s one of my favorite things to do.”

It’s a coping mechanism, really. I’m pretty sure he can see right through me.

While I swim in the pool often, I stay away from large bodies of water. It’s why I told him I wanted a vacation to a safari and not on an island somewhere. The ocean scares me. The only kind of water I like is the type where I can see and reach the bottom.

“Why? Why do you like to swim so much?”

I could lie again, but something pushes me to tell the truth. Because I want Dominic to see all of me. Scars and all.

“I like being underwater because I like to imagine what it feels like to drown,” I reply softly.

Dominic’s throat works up and down in a swallow. He looks haunted for a second, then horrified, and finally heartbroken. The look in his eyes breaks me a little as well.

“I know. You don’t need to say it. I might be a little mentally unwell. But therapy’s so expensive,” I joke.

He doesn’t even crack a smile. He exhales a ragged breath before pulling me back into his arms.

“I promise I’ll take it all away, Madelyn. I’ll fix us,” he whispers.

I hold him tight as well, wondering if I should even allow him to take on such a huge weight. And feeling glad that I found someone who would even be willing to do so in the first place.

“Remind me again why I agreed to go to this party?” Dominic groans from on top of his bed.

It’s Sunday evening and I’m in the middle of getting dressed. We went shopping yesterday and he bought me a cute outfit to wear to the Christmas party Carly invited us to.

“Because you’re trying to at least pretend you’re a decent friend?” I retort from my position at his desk. I’m trying to curl my hair to give it more bounce.

“I’m an amazing friend.”

“Yeah, right,” I say sarcastically. “Would you please just get up and get dressed. We’re going to be late.”

When he still doesn’t move an inch, I decide to get to my feet and head into his closet to pick an outfit for him. I rummage through for a moment before pulling something out and heading back outside.

“You should wear this. You look good in red,” I say, holding out a red shirt.

He huffs out an amused breath before finally sliding out of bed and walking toward me.

“This your attempt to get me to wear something festive, Flowers?”

I don’t even try to deny it. “Is it working?”

He grabs the shirt from my hand and looks it over before shrugging. “Depends on how far you’d be willing to go in your attempt.” He wags his eyebrows suggestively.

“We just had sex, and we’re going to be late.”

“Who said anything about sex? You let me eat your pussy and I’ll consider it a fair trade.”

My entire body heats at that. I bite down on my bottom lip and narrow my eyes at him.

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