Page 74 of My Mafia Queen

I couldn’t think of anything bad, like my troubling past or hard–to–predict future.

I called Jen twice. Both times, she said nothing had changed back home. Things were all right. Stella had done her job.

Whatever she’d told my father worked and kept him away from Tina and uninterested in me.

He’d picked up a new job, traveled to the point of origin outside LA the following day, loaded his truck, and headed to the Sacramento area.

That will keep him out of my hair for a good week.

Even the bad parts of my life have faded somewhat and cannot affect my disposition.

Things are great for the first time since I can remember.

This turn of events makes me feel less guilty for being here with Damaso, living in luxury, getting spoiled, and experiencing gourmet food, cruises, clubs, casinos, and restaurants.

Damaso and I have lived like a man and a woman for one week now. It’s like my life started last week on Friday, and every day added a year of life experience.

It’s strange how quickly I’ve gotten used to it. The lush place and amazing bed I’ve spent my nights in. The food served with graciousness and punctuality.

The flowers greeting me every morning, while he spends his time outside, wheeling and dealing on the golf course.

We’ve explored the south shore of Lake Tahoe, and he’s taught me how to drive a powerboat and ride a horse.

We went horseback riding several times, and I honed my skills at a local shooting range.

I put sexy dresses on and giddily anticipated the moment he would take them off.

I styled my hair differently and sat by his side demurely, listening more than talking under his watchful eyes, only to unleash a different kind of woman in the bedroom.

I’ve grown a lot these past few days.

I’ve also learned a lot. How to communicate with him non-verbally. How to read his expressions and listen to my intuition, that little voice inside my head telling me what to do and not to do.

I know when he’s mad, when he pretends he’s mad, and when he is at the point of doing reprovable things.

In all fairness, he hasn’t had that many opportunities to show that side of himself.

For the most part, our stay here has been uneventful, except for the big events happening in my life.

The big milestones in my life.

I’ve gained a lot of confidence these past few days. I've begun to learn what I want, what I need, and how to ask for it.

I’m still soft-spoken, but I’m no longer lost in an ocean of opportunities, suffering from decision paralysis.

I don’t mind his bodyguards, the men he's dealing with, or the moments he is away from me, doing business with whoever.

As beautiful as our vacation is, he still discusses serious stuff with some people. That has never been completely out of the picture.

It’s who he is, and it gives me an idea of how big he actually is.

How important.

There are things I do when he’s away. I’m spending time at the spa, getting massages and facials.

And then I work out and swim.

I’m ashamed to admit it, but I love every moment of it.

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