Page 29 of Devious
He doesn’t look at me with anger or disappointment but with concern. “You need to treat her a lot better if you want things to work. Relationships are like fine wine—they take time to mature,” he states. Then he downs his drink before setting the glass down on the table. “The more you hurt her, the more she’s going to hate you. You saw how your mother and father turned out. Do you want the same thing?” He goes on, not giving me a chance to respond. “I don’t know why the men in the mafia like to treat women like shit and as if they’re a breeding animal.” He shakes his head. “You don’t want to come home to chaos. It’s already chaos in the things we do out in the world, but to bring it home…” He trails off. “Take her out on a date. Get to know her, Cayden. Treat her with respect.”
When he says my real name, it means I better do what he says or he’s sticking his foot up my ass.
Anger brews inside my chest. I still want to punish her for her stupid decision. I just want to fuck her—that’s it. Her feelings don’t mean shit to me.
“Did you not hear that she tried to kill me?” I snap.
“I don’t care, Cayden. You have to understand. She didn’t have a choice in marrying you, so she’s rebelling against you. Lex told me how rebellious she is. She wants to be her own person, not someone who just pops out babies. Have I not taught you anything about being a man and taking care of your wife? When I married Penelope, we couldn’t stand each other, but I worked so hard to earn her trust. And my home life has been blissful ever since. If you spared her life, then what’s the point of you continuing to treat her as a hostage?”
Maybe I need to listen to him. His marriage has worked in the mafia. And I want that. I want Roselyn to be happy and not filled with anger. And he’s right. If I spared her life, then why in the hell would I keep putting her through hell?
I rub the back of my head at his response.
Enzo and I chat for a while about what’s going on with the coke lab and gun deals. Then we eat lunch. I feel a lot better speaking to him and getting his advice.
On my way to meet Aiden regarding a gun trade, I call Marla and tell her to order over a hundred fresh flowers for Roselyn with a cute note.
Roselyn
After I eat lunch, I lie down on the bed and stare out into space. I’ve been trying to adjust to my new life. Trying to make sense of this chaos of a marriage. So, I play with Binx. I’ve been doing what Devious says, obeying, trying my damnedest to avoid him. One minute, Devious is being nice and the next he’s a complete asshole. Last night he came home and told me he’s allergic to cats and to keep Binx away from him. When I asked him for extra toys for Binx, he told me not to speak to him unless I’m down on my knees sucking him off. I overheard one of the maids speaking and she said he found out some bad news. I should place Binx in his bedroom and allow him to scratch up his nice bedsheets and clothes, or at least rub his fur all over his clothes so he can have an allergic reaction, but then that would lead me to getting into trouble with him. I feel myself breaking a little on the inside, and I’m giving up on hope of escaping this hellhole. To be honest, I’d rather be far away from him. He likes his power over me and to control me.
Someone knocks on the door, and I don’t bother moving, so I shout, “Come in,” and Max pokes his head inside.
“You have a delivery from a floral shop,” he says.
Who would send me flowers? I hope it’s not another man because if Devious finds out, he’ll kill him like he killed Tommy. Speaking of him, earlier today I said a little prayer to his soul, hoping that he finds some kind of peace in the afterlife.
I cock my eyebrows and shake my head, then drag my feet downstairs to the foyer.
There is a guy wearing overalls with a clipboard in his hand.
“Mrs. Vitali. Where would you like the flowers?” the man asks.
I point to the right. “Um… I guess in the living room.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He tips his hat at me, and then a few other men bring in over a hundred flowers, ranging from bright colors to different sizes. Each one so beautiful.
He hands me a small bouquet of pink flowers with a note attached to it. I read it.
I’m sorry for lashing out on you. You’re more beautiful than the flowers.
Devious xo
Why is he all of a sudden being nice to me? Is this some mind game to fuck with me? He already fucked with my mind enough. What is it with his bipolar mood? Psycho ass. One minute he’s acting cold toward me and the next he’s being kind. Fuck him.
I toss the vase against the beige wall, and it shatters in pieces. Water and petals scatter over the marble floor. One of the maids rushes to the living room. She peers at me, then to the floor. “Are you okay?”
I’m not falling for his bullshit. And he’s stupid to believe this will win me over. Tears burn my eyes, and I crumple the note and toss it on the floor.
The maid’s phone rings, and she answers on the first ring, then she holds it out to me. “Mrs. Vitali. You have a phone call.”
I know who it is, and I’m not in the mood to speak to him. It sucks that I don’t have access to basic shit like a phone, making me realize that I’m just a prisoner here.
“I’m not allowed to have phone conversations.”
“It’s Mr. Vitali.”
I huff out, snatching the phone from her. I mouth, “Sorry,” and she nods.
