Page 46 of Mafia Captor

I’ve got my suit and tie on in fifteen minutes. It takes her five hours to get ready. But when I see the finished product, I must admit it was worth the wait. She’ll always be worth the wait.

She steps onto the marble front entry steps, dressed in gold, her hair swept up in an elegant knot. The shimmering fabric of her dress glides loosely over her body as she moves, but hugs her curves in all the right places. The skirt opens in an upside-down V in the front, showing off her tanned legs as she struts down the stairs toward me, a sexy kitten smile on her painted red lips. She knows how much I love her red lips. She’s given herself some height tonight, going for sandals that have thick, tall heels, and straps that wind their way up her pretty legs. I can’t wait to untie their ribbons with my teeth.

I can’t take my eyes off her.

“You look stunning.”

A pretty flush blooms on her cheeks. “Really? It’s not too much?”

“It’s just right.” I take her in my arms, running my hands over the smooth fabric of her dress. I go to kiss her lips, but she giggles, turning to offer her cheek.

“You’ll be wearing lipstick if you’re not careful,” she says.

I kiss her cheek. “I’m messing up those sexy lips when I get you home. And untying those sandals with my teeth.”

“Mmm… I can’t wait.”

I feel like all eyes are on her as we walk into the newly redone rooftop bar in the Village. As they should be. She’s the most beautiful woman in the world and tonight, she’s simply exquisite. There are a couple single brothers at the bar. It doesn’t escape me that their glances rest on her longer than they should.

I understand it, but I don’t like it.

She’s oblivious to the stares, all her attention on me. She’s eager to show me her hard work. I follow her as she points out the enhanced lighting, the new flooring. I try to pay attention, but there it is again. A young server holding a tray of canapes literally turns his head to watch her walk by. A lump forms in my throat, my blood burning hot and bright with jealousy.

I want to throat punch the kid. My hands clench to fists at my sides. I can’t blame him. Can’t blame anyone. She’s fucking gorgeous and right now, she’s a free agent. Nothing’s settled between us. No proclamations have been made. The girl could walk out of here tonight with any single man she wanted.

Of course, the dude she’d be leaving with would have two broken kneecaps, but she’s free to make that choice. That’s a problem. I need to take that choice away. I need her to want to pick me.

Every time.

“Boston. Are you even listening?” she says. “We ordered this bar top from Brazil. See the gold vein running down the rock? It matches the gold in the pendant lighting.”

I lean forward, studying the granite. “Yeah. I see it. Nice.”

Her brow wrinkles. “What did you think of the textured wallpaper in the hall?”

“I…” I try to think back to the tour. I have no idea what she’s talking about. Her face falls. I’m starting to hurt her feelings. I can’t have that.

She stares at me, waiting. “Well?”

There’s only one way to fix this enormous problem. I dip into my pants pocket, feeling the small velvet box. I’ve found myself carrying it with me wherever I go. I don’t know why, and I don’t give it much thought. Every morning it kinda finds its way from my dresser drawer into my pants.

“Here,” I say, handing her the box. “Put this on.”

She gives me a curious look. “Thank you?”

I wait, my inhale sticking in my chest. I feel like I can’t breathe as I watch her flip open the lid.

She looks in the box. She looks up at me. She looks back down in the box. She looks back up at me.

“What,” she says, “is this?”

“It’s a ring.”

“I can see that, but why am I holding it?”

“It’s my Grandma Sullivan’s wedding ring. A blue diamond. It’s super rare.” I lift the ring from the box. Last week I had the diamond reset into a new band made of black gold, one that embodies the beauty of Ashe. It’s a vintage style, an intricate design of twisting loops that form the band. The deep blue against the beautiful black gold is the perfect combination for her.

“It’s gorgeous.” She inspects the ring as I hold it between my fingers. “And this band—it’s so unique. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

---