Page 103 of Savage Vow (Mafia Marriages 3)

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Aurielo

The heat of the bedroom sizzles. I’m barely wearing anything, a flimsy pair of boxers, and I want to strip off the covers.

How the hell is Karina still wearing her pajamas in bed?

Although the covers are pushed down at her waist.

I thought she was asleep until she rolled over and caught me staring at her. Now she doesn’t look away.

I’m caught between pretending to be asleep with my eyes open, which sounds even more ridiculous in my head, or waiting for her to submit and give in, letting me win.

A Rinaldi never backs down from a challenge.

I get a whiff of her scent from showering. She smells like cinnamon and spice. I want to lean in and brush my lips against hers. But I can’t do that.

Somewhere in my stupid state of mind, I tell her she smells like Christmas, and her response is clear that she can’t tell it’s a compliment. I should have kept my mouth shut.

Which is what I’m doing now, staring at her.

And she’s staring back.

I don’t do well when I’m tired, and I’m feeling cranky.

My mind is racing, but nothing I say will take back what she saw last night. I can’t change who I am or what I do. She knew that when she agreed to marry me.

Well, it was life or death.

She finally blinks and shuts her eyes. I win. Although I don’t feel any better. Not even in the slightest.

“Goodnight,” I whisper.

“Why?”

“Why what?” I ask.

Her eyes flash open.

“Why bring him to the house?”

It takes me a second to piece together what she’s asking. “The man from last night that you saw in the basement? It’s where we keep our prisoners, Micetta. We can’t go interrogating men in hotel rooms.”

“Worried you’ll have to marry a second wife if someone stumbles into the room.”

Ouch.

“No, you’re the only one for me.” I reach for her jaw, keeping her gaze on me. “I take my vows of marriage very seriously.”

It’s not something we’ve spoken about, but being married to Karina, I don’t intend to let another man touch my wife.

I also won’t break my vows.

We’re married. It’s as simple as that.

“But you don’t love me,” Karina whispers. Her eyes have darkened a deeper, richer hue, like the ocean.

“And that upsets you?” She can’t believe after a few days that I’ve fallen madly in love with her.

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