Page 37 of Owned By the Italian Mafia Don

“Yes.” She blinks up at me and I get lost in the skies of her eyes, reminding me of a cloudless day in midsummer. “But I don’t know what to make of it. You confuse me. You overwhelm me. My situation upsets me. I want to see my family and I can’t. I have taken care of them my entire life and it’s hard not to talk to them. They must be worried sick about me.”

“They aren’t. I told them you were fine. They know about everything. Your brother was harder to convince, but everything is okay, and they know to stay quiet. You’ll see them soon, I promise.” She doesn’t know I have a secret meeting to say goodbye to them tomorrow. I’m keeping my promise to get them to safety and to do that, they need to get out of the States.

A long gust of air leaves her and she lets all the weight go, sagging against my chest. She wraps her arms around me, and I do the same to her. I can’t believe she’s doing this.

I finally get to hold my wife.

The rage is gone for now, but I know it won’t be forever. She’s a candle, burning bright and strong, but when blown out, a spark is left only to reignite with vengeance.

This feels right. She feels right.

I don’t want to let her go.

Chapter Eleven

Rosie

Things are a little better after yesterday. Ari and I are closer after the moment we shared in the kitchen. It still confuses me—he—confuses me. I shouldn’t feel anything for him. I shouldn’t be able to stand him, but he makes it very difficult with his easy charm and outgoing personality. I expected charm from a mafia boss, but the gentleness? The kindness to me? Then, taking my revenge out on his socks and he wore them anyway? He has a sense of humor too.

It makes me hate him less and like him more.

I didn’t even sleep on the edge of the bed last night. I relaxed and enjoyed the wonderful comfort of the best mattress I’ve ever laid on, cuddled in the biggest, fluffiest comforter I have ever touched.

I’m still on my side. I’m a side sleeper no matter how much I try not to be, but this time, I’m closer to the middle of the bed.

The sun peeks through the curtains and I think about how much my life has changed in less than a week. I’ve lived a better life with Ari than I have…ever. It’s been amazing not working myself to the bone for no reason. It’s been amazing not having to worry about how the electricity will stay on. It’s even been nice not to worry about my parents.

And maybe that’s why I’m also so angry and unaccepting of Ari, of this house, of this newfound freedom I have because yes, it is freedom. I’m locked in a damn contract, but all the weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

I’m angry because I have all this, but my family doesn’t, and I feel guilty. They are still living in that shitty apartment. Is the water on? Do they have food? Who is doing the laundry? Do they have electricity? What if they are evicted and homeless and I have no way of finding them?

Ari’s lips on my shoulder bring all my thoughts to a stop. He thinks I’m sleeping but I feel him every morning giving me the same kiss in the same spot. I’ve come to expect it, to want it, and that small morning kiss brings me comfort and soothes all this anger and guilt riding in my body.

“Good morning, Tesoro. “

“Mmm,” I mumble, yanking the covers over my head.

He chuckles. “Come on. It’s time to get ready. I’m taking you somewhere special.”

Okay, that grabs my attention. I pull down the comforter and peek at him. “What kind of surprise?”

He props himself on his elbow and raises his brows. “Oh, do you like surprises?”

“Maybe, depends on the surprise,” I say casually.

“You’ll like this one,” he says, his smile faltering. “So let’s get up and get ready. We need to be there in an hour.”

I’m not sure if I like his change in demeanor but if it means I have a chance of getting out of the house, I’ll take it.

When he comes out of the bathroom, he’s freshly shaved, and naked.

I clutch the blanket as he runs his fingers through his freshly wet hair. He sees me staring and that fucking cocky grin crooks the left side of his face as he heads to his closet.

When he steps inside, I get the view of his round, plump ass.

Come on, who is built like this? It’s unfair.

“I have clothes here for you, you know. New clothes. You don’t have to wear the ones in the suitcase Matias brought over from your apartment. This is your closet too,” he shouts from the inside of it.

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