Page 103 of Demanding Mob Boss

The smell of something delicious pulls me from sleep. I open my eyes and find Cian there, a food laden tray between us.

"It smells good."

"It should. I had Connor raid Ma's freezer for some of her seafood chowder. She hasn't been home to make bread, but Connor swung by his parents' place and got some soda bread from his ma. "

Scooting into a sitting position, I look over the food on the tray. There are two bowls filled with a thick, rich looking soup, bits of fish and whole prawns floating in the creamy broth. A plate piled high with thick, buttered slices of a dense looking bread sits between them.

My stomach growls.

"Sounds like I got here just in time." Cian winks at me.

Picking up a bowl of soup, I ask, "Did your meeting go well?"

I don't hear his answer because that first bite? Is so good, I moan. The flavors burst on my tongue and even though it has been defrosted and reheated, the seafood isn't chewy. I wonder if his mom will show me how to make this.

"I think I'm jealous of your reaction to my mother's cooking." Cian's tone is filled with humor.

So, I don't think he means it.

"She's a very good cook."

"She'll be glad to know you think so. When she and my sister get back from Spain, Ma will want you over for dinner."

"Because I'm your girlfriend?" I ask.

"Because you are mine. Period."

"What does that mean?" He says that a lot, but I don't want to make assumptions. Mine aren't usually the right ones when it comes to interpersonal relationships.

"I want you to move in with me."

Happiness surges through me. Maybe my desire to live with him isn't as irrational as I keep telling myself. "You do?"

"Yes."

"Ini needs me to pay my half of the rent." Some of my joy deflates. I can't let Ini down.

"So, pay it. You aren't paying rent here. I own the building."

Hope flutters inside my chest. "Really? You don't need me to pay rent? But what about utilities, food?" With as often as he orders in, my whole paycheck could get eaten up. Literally.

"Let me be clear. You are mine to take care of, Anna. When you are with me, you don't pay for any of that. When you are not with me, you use the credit card I give you to pay for it."

"But I earn a salary. I don't want to quit working with you." Not only do I like being around Cian, I enjoy my job.

Which isn't something I ever thought I would feel.

"I don't want you to quit either. Use your money however you want."

"As long as it's not paying for my rent, food, or utilities?"

"Or clothing. Or getting your nails done. Or any of the other shit women like to do. I take care of you," he emphasizes.

"That's not how it works. I'm an adult. I should take care of myself."

"I'm the boss of the biggest mob in Chicago. Taking care of people is what I do. You are mine as much as the men who swear allegiance to me."

"I haven't sworn allegiance."

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