Page 128 of My Mafia Queen

“It’s me.”

The slight rocking of her body instantly stops, and she no longer cries.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, halting in front of her this time, having the moonlight across my shoulders while peering at her beautiful face.

Her hair frames her face like a curtain of silk and promises, and I see my fingers in its waves as I imagine sweat trickling from her hairline.

But this is not about me having her body.

This is about so much more.

She lifts clear eyes to me, a resolute expression on her face.

She straightens her shoulders, not even attempting to brush off the tears from her cheeks.

The glistening beads of sadness catch the moonlight, looking like melted silver on her face.

“I don’t think I can live away from you,” she says in a cold, very mature voice. “I know I should. And I probably would if I had to, but I don’t want to.”

I bring my hand to her face and stroke her cheek gently.

“It’s a terrible life, Car. You know that,” I say, dragging my thumb across her cheek.

“Yes. I do. But you make it worth it.”

“Don’t say that.”

“I need to say it,” she murmurs, peeling my hand away from her face. “I’ve lived differently. I’ve had a normal life. Parents. It didn’t work out. A place. Didn’t work out, either. A job. And my sister. None of the things that people want have worked for me.”

I put my hand on her again, and this time, I wrap my fingers around her neck. She loops hers around my wrist, her eyes connected with mine.

“I don’t know how to do this…” she murmurs. “Be the good sister, build a different life, and pull away from you. What kind of life is that, Salla? And do you think I have a say? Have you had a say in choosing this life?”

Passion threads through her voice, and I feel what she’s saying.

“How would my life be better without you? And how would my life be better if I didn’t take care of Tina?”

“Tina will be okay. You don’t need to worry about her.”

Her eyes search mine.

“You said we’d live away from you.” A sad smile tugs at her lips. “And I’m not holding it against you. It makes sense,” she says.

“It’s the best option for her.”

“I can’t argue with you on that. That’s why I’m saying… How could I choose the best for me when I don’t even know what’s the best option for me?”

Her eyes glisten with tears in the moonlight, and I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my chest.

“We all have a say in what’s happening to us. It’s just that we choose what feels more natural to us,” I say, and she pulls slightly away from me so she can see me.

“I’m born for this. You know it,” I say. “I’m also good at this. I’ll move up for sure and possibly become the head of the organization. Yes, things are dicey at times.”

I pause before I continue.

“And I can’t trust no one,” I add, slipping a pang of humor into my voice.

“You can’t trust me?” she murmurs.

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