Page 20 of The Holy Ghost
Fury wasburning bright in my gut. “Even if that’s the case,coming back doesn’t mean I’m comingback toyou,” I pointedout.
Phoenix’s backstraightened, and he stoodthere, every inch of his six-foot-two-inch frame vibrating withrage. “You think so?” he finally asked.
“Iknowso.”
I couldn’tstop the cry that escaped ashe grabbed me by my hair and drug me behind him. When we finallyreached his bedroom, where he threw me on the bed, he snarled,“We’ll see about that.”
Chapter 11
Phoenix~
Furyhad me blind to everything else butthe woman on my bed currently shooting daggers at me.
I knew this wasgoing to get ugly, but she was out of her fucking mind if shethought she could come back to Morgan City and not be with me.
Out. Of. Her. Fucking.Mind.
“You don’t getto manhandle me, Phoenix,” she raged from the centerof our bed.
“That’s where you’rewrong,” I informed her as I started removing my suit jacket. “I getto do whatever the fuck I want to you, Francesca.”
She cameflying off the bedand stoodthere like a beautiful, raging storm. And the more anger shedisplayed, the more she cemented the fact that she was born to walknext to Luca, Ciro, and me. Not just anyone could end up with Luca,Ciro, or me. Though many women have tried over the years, it tooksomeone special to stand by our sides. Especially, Luca. One day,soon, he was going to take over this entire fucking city and thewoman who ended up with him was going to have to be made of somestrong motherfucking shit.
Like Frankie.
“You lostthose rightsto me six yearsago, Phoenix,” she raged. “Once upon a time you might have had thatprivilege, but that time has come and gone.”
My tie cameflying off next. “That’s doubtful, seeing as how I’ve been takingcare of you for the pastsixfucking years, Frankie,” I bit out. “I’d say that gives meall and everyright to you and that delectable bodyof yours.”
Her eyesrounded in shock, now whether from my statement or my undressing, Iwasn’t sure. “What the hellare you talking about?” she screeched. “How in the hell have youbeen taking care of me?”
I smirked.“Doyou really believe youwere so lucky that there just happened to be an apartment availableto you that included all utilities for less than a grand a month,Frankie?” The second Luca’s henchman had mentioned the apartment hesaw Frankie looking at, Luca had called me and I had gotten intouch with the rental manager and told him to rent it to Frankiefor eight-hundred dollars a month and I would make up the rest,including paying for her utilities. He was also malleable enoughthat he managed to free up an apartment right across from hers forElio, the guard Luca assigned her.
Herfacewent from astonishment todenial. “You’re lying,” she accused. “There’s no way…”
I kicked offmy shoes as I informed her, “I’ve been paying your rent andutilities for six fuckingyears, Frankie.”
She startedshaking her head. “That’s…that can’t be true,” she said, her voicebetraying her emotions. Itwasn’t anger anymore. It was denial. She wanted me to belying. “That doesn’t make sense, Phoenix. Why would you do that?”Suddenly, she noticed me pulling my socks off. “What the hell areyou doing?”
I steppedtowards the dresser, taking off my holster vest, and placing it on top. Next came my shirt as Ipulled it out of the waistband of my pants. “What does it look likeI’m doing, Frankie,” I deadpanned. “I’m getting ready forbed.”
Her amber eyeswere the size of the sun, but then she shook her headagain, getting back to thesubject at hand. “Why would you pay my rent?”
I tossed myshirt on the floor before stepping up toher in nothing but my slacks. I didn’t miss the wayher pupils flared at the sight of my bare torso. The tattoos werenew, and my body was sharper and more defined, but I knew shecouldn’t miss her name blasted across my lower collarbone. I’dgotten it done the same week she had left Morgan City.
I stared downat the only female on the planet who’s ever brought me to my kneesand roared in that prettylittle face of hers. “Because you aremine,Frankie! You’ve always been mine, and I will always take care ofyou, no matter where the fuck you are!”
“No,”she whispered, her voice filled withanguish.
“Yes,” Icountered.
Frankie took a stepback and I followed her until the bed blocked any more progress.“You can’t just…own me, Phoenix,” she argued.
“It’s toofucking bad you feel that way,Frankie, because I already do own you.” I leaned down into herface. “I fuckingownyou, Francesca. Ialways have. And you can deny it until you’re blue in the fuckingface, but it changes nothing. You’re not going back to Cedar Creek,and that’s final!”
“So, youjustget to treat me howeveryou want, and I’m just supposed to take it?” she asked,outraged.
Now she wasreally pissing me off. “Other than lying to you about the Benettis,I’ve never mistreated you, Frankie,” I snapped. “Do not ever accuse me of thatagain.”
