Page 46 of Married to the Mafia

Maybe I can take advantage of that while we’re in Rome. I’m not sure when to go, but not yet. First, I need to deal with Ricardo.

I walk over to the bed and sit on the edge, stroking a circle around her nipples with my fingers. “If you say sorry for trying to stab me, I’ll let you up.”

“Will you?”

“Of course. I’m no monster.”

“You sure?”

“Not to you.”

“Then let me up.”

“Say sorry first.”

“I’m sorry all right.”

I nod approval. “And what are you sorry for?”

“Trying to stab you.”

“You going to behave?”

“Yes, I’ll behave.”

“Then up you come.” I untie her wrists as my cellphone rings in my jacket pocket. I dig it out and head for the door, leaving her to undo the bonds on her ankles. I lock the bedroom door on the way out, just to be safe. I’m still not sure if I can trust her yet.

She might try to run again and I can’t have that. Not now. She’s shown me the real her in there. Filled with lust and desire, if she’ll only admit it. She will find an outlet for all she once thought shameful. She will find genuine pleasure here with me if she’ll only let me in and stop fighting me all the time.

Fighting gives you an excuse to punish her.

The thought flits through my mind as I press the cellphone to my ear. “Speak to me.”

“I’ve got some shitty news,” Corrado says."

“What is it?”

“The shelter got demolished this morning.”

“What the fuck? I gave explicit instructions to hold off until I give the word.”

“I know that.”

“Then why the fuck has it been knocked down?”

“I’ve got the guy in the basement if you want to talk to him about it.”

I glance back at the bedroom door. She’ll have to wait. She’s just starting to trust me. I told her I wouldn’t lie to her.

I said the demolition wouldn’t go ahead until she had a chance to see the paperwork. I better make sure she doesn’t find out. First step, find out how the fuck it happened.

I march down the stairs and slide open the door to the basement. I take the steps two at a time and unlock the interrogation room. Inside Corrado and a couple of soldiers.In the middle of them a guy strapped to a chair spitting out blood, his face a mess.

“Who the fuck gives the orders around here?” I ask, storming over to him.

“Don Belucci sends his regards,” he replies. “Heard about your deal with her and thought he’d send a wedding present to fuck things up for you.”

I pull out my gun and press it to his forehead. “Got any last words?” I ask.

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