Page 52 of Sinful Queen (Dark Mafia Sins 5)

I scoff, gathering my hair up before allowing it to fall over my shoulders. “I would be more worried about the loyalty of your men.” The food on the table is no longer appetizing. I toss my white napkin over my plate.

“Maybe you should stop caring so much about material things,” he spews, standing up.

I can’t help but to laugh. I’ve never cared about materialistic things in my life. “It’s not the gallery I’m upset about. I’ve lost my paintings. They held so much sentimental value. When I thought I would lose myself in the darkness of the world, those paintings helped me see light. They served as a reminder that I can survive; I can live. And they held the possibility of happiness in my life. I had that feeling when I painted, and I’ve been looking for it everywhere else since I found it there. Hoping one day I can grasp hold of it. And somehow you have allowed not only my gallery but my hope and all my dreams to go up in literal flames.” I stand, clearing away the tears spilling over my cheeks.

“I can’t break trust if it has never been there,” he says calmly, even though his body is full of tension. “I have shown you respect and love, and I have stood up for you. Yet you always defend your family against me, and think the worst of my actions.”

Goose bumps ignite along my skin from his voice being so full of emotion. Demetri normally hides behind a well-concealing mask. Tonight, his feelings are on full display for me. He’s opening himself up like never before. Trust is a scary idea for me. It makes me vulnerable to heartbreak and betrayal. I want to trust him. Idotrust him. But it’s easy to fall back into old habits.

“Did I say anything to you today for sneaking away from your security? The way you describe me, it’s as if I should have beat you and locked you in a room for safekeeping. Yet, you disobey me. You make me soft, Katrina. I told you Siya is dangerous, and you refuse bodyguards. You are clearly my weakness, and I’ve opened myself up by being with you. Every enemy of mine is waiting to take you from me. I should punish you. It’s what every other man in my position would have done.”

“I am trying so hard. I really am. Neither of us makes it easy on each other. But I can’t pretend to understand your actions. Did you burn my gallery down to punish me? Isthiswhat all of it is about?”

He shakes his head. We continue to inflict scars on each other’s soul that refuses to heal. Disappointment and defeat lace his facial features. “I’m done arguing when you refuse to hear me.”

We walk to the car in silence. I’m emotionally and physically exhausted as I lay my head on the window. My eyes flutter open and closed as I fight to stay awake. Soon, I can feel my body being lifted, but no matter how hard I fight to open my eyes, I can’t.

Chapter 27: Katrina

Thisisararemorning when Demetri is home. He’s sitting awkwardly on the toilet lid while Charlotte makes a game out of splashing him by “accident,” while I bathe Capree in a separate baby tub. Although the area has a huge amount of space, Demetri’s presence takes up most of the room.

We haven’t said a word to each other since last night. It has me wondering if he’s only staying this morning because he feels guilty.

“Want to watch me be a mermaid?” Charlotte asks her father. I smile, already knowing this game of hers. He’s going to have to change before he leaves the house. Picking the baby up out of the water, I wrap a towel around her as I watch.

Charlotte begins to sing a song fromThe Little Mermaidat the top of her lungs while she’s lying on her stomach. Then, at the end, she swooshes up the tub’s curved back like Ariel does on the rock. Water goes everywhere, and I can’t help but laugh as Demetri gets sprayed.

An unexpected deep laugh echoes around the room, and he stands up to ruffle her wet hair.

“If you ever find your Prince Eric, I’ll be sure to turn you into a mermaid.” He grins adoringly at his daughter.

She giggles and says, “But I want to be one now.”

“When she finds Prince Eric?” I lift a brow, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“He’s the real villain in that story. Ask any father.” He bends down to give Capree a kiss, then lifts his face from there to give me one. I stand stiffly, my lips not moving against his. “Thank you for staying home with the kids today.”

It’s not like I have much of a choice. I have nowhere to go.

A knock at the door announces Polina coming in. I hand her Capree, and Demetri and I both walk out to change.

In our room, I slip off my sweatpants and hoodie. Glancing over at Demetri, I see his eyes darken as he takes in my naked body.

“You are beautiful.”

“Thanks.” I give him a fake smile with an eye roll. I realize it’s not the most mature move, but I’m still heartbroken and mad at him.

He walks up to me and wraps his arms around me. I want to step back, but I refuse to show weakness. “I’m sorry about the gallery, but it wasn’t safe anyway. I’ve learned that my men saved some of your paintings. They’re in one of our warehouses.”

“If it’s not safe, it’syourfault. You’re the one who handled the security for it.” I argue.

His body freezes, and I think I’ve hit a nerve. “You know I can’t talk business with you.”

“It was your precious Eva who set up the cameras, right?” I wish I wasn’t jealous of her. I fight against it as much as I can.

“Where did you go yesterday?” he asks.

“Don’t you have reports on me that tell you that?” I hate how he reacts every time her name is mentioned. His eyes are boring holes into me like he’s trying to find a lie. “I went out for an hour to buy a new outfit…for our romantic date!”

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