Page 53 of Sinful Queen (Dark Mafia Sins 5)

He grunts, ripping his stare from me. “Don’t expect me home tonight,” he says with his back to me. His words are cold and callous. Is this the beginning of the end for us? Has he decided I’m not worth the trouble?

“You know where we will be when you decide to make an appearance.”

“Katrina!”mybestfriendgreets, walking into my home. “If I had known this was the central location for hot men, I would’ve come a lot sooner.” She lifts her sunglasses and obviously checks out the few men stationed outside through the front door.

“Please. I’ve just exchanged one overbearing family for another one.”

Sophia turns toward me. “You need to set up your own bank account. If you desire real independence, that will give it to you. Surely, you all make enough around here to put money away that no one will miss.”

“It would seem dishonest to Demetri if I did that.”

“Every woman needs one. Even my aunt has one.” She lowers her voice. “All it takes is a lengthy jail sentence—or worse, an attempt on his life—before you find yourself all alone. Then what? You and the girls will be on the street, or your brother will force you to marry.”

I hadn’t thought of that.

“It’s just an idea. I know how much you like your independence.”

I can’t help but think that everyone wants to chime in on how I run my life.

But the thought instantly has me feeling guilty. Sophia is the only friend who has stuck with me.

“Listen, I’m sorry for the things I said at the supermarket that day,” I apologize again, hoping she’ll believe me.

She brushes it off. “Don’t worry about it. We’ve been besties for too long to let a little conflict get in the way of our friendship.”

“Let’s go outside to have a better look at the harem of men at your beck and call.” Sophia loops her arm around mine, and we step outside.

I giggle and roll my eyes as she shamelessly eye fucks them all. Letting go of her, I lean against the small white picket fence around the front yard.

A delivery truck pulls up, and I greet the man stepping out. “Hello.”

“Delivery for Katrina Sokolov, from a Demetri Sokolov.”

I take the box from his hands. Before any of the guards can take it from me, I open it up. I don’t need his men to inspect packages from my own husband. A three-piece painting is laid before me, its colors rich in purple, blue, and a light pink. I think I can make out a butterfly abstractly painted by the artist. The work is beautiful.

I have Max Mancini and another one of my guards now hovering over my shoulder, looking ready to rip the painting out of my hands. “We should have checked that first,” one of my husband’s men says, annoyed.

I look to see if there’s a note from him, but there’s nothing. I lift one of the canvases. It helps to ease how I’m feeling. I’m still angry, but this is the first step in us getting over that. I still plan to make him work for my forgiveness, but at the end of the day, I love him. Having my paintings safe helps even though he can’t discuss why it happened or who did it.

My smile stays permanently on my face. I already have the perfect spot to hang them in our bedroom. Sophia and I head back into the house, along with the evil glares of Demetri’s men, and Sophia leaves shortly after.

“Hello!” I sing as Charlotte returns home from school. She comes running to me, wraps around my legs, and hugs them. “Hi, little miss.”

“What is in your hands?” she asks.

“Come here and I’ll show you. A gift from your dad.”

We enter the living room, where Polina has already picked up Capree and is holding her.

I place the pictures in order on the floor. “Just be careful.”

Charlotte hovers over each one, inspecting them like she knows what she is doing. I love how she is always eager to study any work I bring home or whatever I paint. I show her all of them.

“What is it?” she finally asks.

“I think it’s up to the viewer.”

“I can make that. Can we paint?”

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