Page 66 of Possession

Again.

Shocker.

I had a lot of fears when the Marinos took me from my home.

I feared for myself physically and emotionally. Thank God I didn’t end up at the hands of Damian or Nic. I have a feeling my worst nightmares would not come close to what my reality would have been.

Being ignored by the man I ended up marrying should make me happy. Being ignored in my current situation is a gift—one I should not take for granted.

But instead of embracing it for the peace of mind it should be, it pisses me off.

I had one not-so-horrible day, even if I did have to dig into the recesses of my brain and take a trip back to geometry in my sophomore year of high school.

Once Rocco got over trying to be something he isn’t, he gave me hints he’s lived a hard life and has half the tattoo to prove it. He’s funny with an innocence about him, even though I have a feeling there’s not one thing innocent about him.

Then I spun magic with grilled cheese sandwiches. I thought my husband was softening up to me.

But dinner last night changed all that.

It was fun and real, without a gun in sight. Honestly, it was refreshing, and the best day I’ve had since the Marinos kidnapped my family.

But apparently living in a happy house is not in Boz’s wheelhouse. He didn’t utter a word through dinner, until he not so vaguely insinuated he was ready to fuck me through the night.

That’s when I decided I was done trying. If he demands that I be by his side for appearances, I guess I have no choice. But, from now on when it’s the two of us, he can kiss my ass.

I have once again engaged the cold shoulder, and this time I’m determined that it’s here to stay.

Me and my chilly shoulder will adjust to our new life just fine, sans the geometry. I could do without that. But since Rocco is my only friend, I’ll continue to attempt to calculate slope for his sake.

Literally the most useless skill for ninety-nine percent of the population of the entire universe. I have no clue what the other one percent does with it.

This is all too much for anyone to deal with.

But today, I get to see my mom. I have no idea why I’m nervous, but I am.

We’re not close and never have been. She was incensed about what my father did, but that was more about what her country club friends thought instead of my safety or happiness.

Even so, a glimmer of hope flickers inside me that maybe she’ll do something to get me out of this arrangement, and I can go back to my normal life. Should I ever get that chance, I’ve promised myself not to take anything for granted ever again.

Like my freedom.

“Ma’am,” Spencer breaks into my thoughts. “Your mother has arrived.”

I wipe my sweaty palms down the linen dress that hangs perfectly on me without looking like a gunny sack. “Thank you.”

“Mr. Torres said you may visit with her in the great room. If you wait there, I’ll bring her to you.”

“You know, Spencer, you don’t need to be so formal with me. This isn’t some regency romance book. I can answer the door.”

He grimaces, as if I’m trying to swipe his job security out from under him by lifting a finger for myself. “I’ll bring her to you. June will serve beverages.”

This is a regency romance gone wrong, but there are no regular rakes.

Just cartel members.

Lucky me.

I’m pacing back and forth in the opulent cartel great room, when I hear her voice. “Landyn!”

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