Page 20 of Owned By the Mob Boss
I stand and cross the room, controlling myself so I don’t make a scene. This is Bella’s night out more than it is mine, and I don’t want to ruin it for her.
My men start to move with me, but I wave them back with a simple hand motion.
The photographer—some young trust fund baby by the look of him—goes pale when I step up to his table.
“That’s a nice phone you got there,” I say. My tone is neutral. My eyes are not.
“Mr. Morelli—” He’s stammering immediately. “I—”
I pluck the phone from his quivering hands. “Was just taking pictures of my woman?”
He glances over at his friend, but he’s even smaller and definitely not interested in getting involved.
“I’m sorry,” he whispers as I crunch the phone in my grip. Glass and metal snap like paper, the pieces falling onto his plate and into his wine.
I lean in close, so only he can hear me. “Next time, it won’t be the phone that breaks. Understand me?”
“I’m sorry,” he replies quickly. “I shouldn’t have…”
I stand, straightening my cuffs. Anton steps up beside me. I can see in his eyes he’s ready for whatever.
“Sweep the room for any other ‘photographers,’” I tell him. “Make sure they know the consequences of any leaks.”
“I’m on it.”
The whole restaurant pretends not to watch as I walk back to my queen, who’s staring at me with a mix of shock and something else—something like arousal.
That’s right. She likes to see me rule the city.
“What did you do?” she asks.
“I was just reminding him of his manners.” I take her hand and help her from her chair. “Come on. Let’s go. I’m feeling a real need to get my hands up that dress.”
She blushes again, and I wrap my arms around her waist, guiding her through the silent restaurant.
The valet already has my car waiting. As I help Bella inside, I catch her smile. Bright, real—but most of all,mine.
“You aresopossessive,” she says, leaning on me once we start moving.
“You have no idea,” I say, pulling her close. “But you’re going to love it.”
“Oh, I already am.”
We drive through the city I own, past the buildings and territories I control. This was my dream once. But now my only dream is the woman pressed to my side.
The word is already spreading.The Ice Man has a queen.
Let them think she’s my weakness. Little do they know, she’s my greatest strength.
“Baby,” she whispers, her voice pulling me from my violent thoughts.
“Yes, my queen?”
“Thank you for…for tonight. For making me feel like…”
“Like what?” I ask.
“Like I’m worth all this.” She takes a timid breath. “Like I’m not just collateral anymore.”
