Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 537(@200wpm)___ 430(@250wpm)___ 358(@300wpm)
Her insult still lingers in the air.
The downfall of real men?
I debate going after her, but I’m tired of arguing with my new bride. This is her life now, and the sooner she pouts, then comes to terms with it, the better off she will be.
“Emelia, we’re here.” I stand over her sleeping form on the bed in the back room. She slowly stirs and looks around the room as she sits up. Finally, her eyes meet mine, and she rubs the sleep from them.
“What time is it?” Scooting to the end of the mattress, she stretches, and I watch her intently. I can’t fucking help but watch her, fascinated by the way she just simply exists.
“Six in the morning. I need to move fast. I have an eight a.m. meeting, and it’s an hour drive to my penthouse.”
She nods, moving without a response. I leave her to it and head to the front of the plane. If I didn’t get out of there, I would just watch her like a fucking madman, and that wouldn’t do us any good. I'm just horny, and she has all the things needed to satiate that. That's it. It has to be.
I don't know if I’m trying to convince myself or bargain with myself. Either way, I go in search of a distraction.
“Giulio, when she gets settled, I want you to make a list of anything Emelia may need and have it ordered and delivered. Also, I want her tracker placed. Call the doctor.”
“Sir, I want to let you know that I mean no disrespect, but maybe you should talk to her first. This is a lot for her as well, and if you want her to respect you—”
I cut him off.“I appreciate you as my right-hand man, Giulio, but I will handle my woman how I see fit. Now, make sure she has everything she needs. I don’t care about the price. If she needs it, get it. Make her as comfortable as she can be.”
This comes out of nowhere.
She doesn’t need more than the basics, but there has to be some give and take if I want to gain her trust, so she can give me what I need.
I need a woman in charge. Being a mafia wife is a scary title to hold. They are constant targets, and in order to keep her safe, we have to have a solid relationship. And with how things are going, we have a long way to go. But most importantly, if I want to take down her father, I can’t do it without her on my side.
“Ready,” she announces, stepping out with her many bags in her hands.
“Giulio, bags,” I bark.
“I’ve got them. It’s no big deal.” She shrugs, and I shoot her a look.
“Giulio, get her bags. I don’t want her carrying anything down the steep stairs.” He grabs some, and I reach out and take two. She rolls her eyes but lets us have this victory. She must be just as tired as I am of fighting.
I lead the way. Giulio lets her go next, and he follows right after her. Loading up the car, I round the trunk and open the door for her to slide in. I take the driver seat, and Giulio takes the passenger. He and I make small talk, being sure to leave out any information too sensitive that she has no business knowing. I will not talk shop in front of Emelia, not while we are still enemies and at each other's throat, playing a childish game of tit for tat.
The drive back to my penthouse located in downtown Seattle is silent on her end. She doesn’t say a damn word. Maybe a clearing of her throat or a hushed yawn, but other than that, she is as quiet as if her presence were nonexistent. Makes me more curious to know if she is channeling her rage and preparing to hit me with it the second we’re alone in my fortress. Pulling into my spot in the parking garage, I peer at her through the rear-view mirror. She looks at me briefly, then back out the window.
“This is it then?” she whispers.
“Is this what, Emelia?” I ask her, my voice heavily laced in annoyance. I really don’t have the patience to deal with a bratty wife.
“Your place. I don’t need pity, Nico. I’m not a damsel.” She pauses, opening the door, and before she gets out, she halts, purposely making eye contact with me in the mirror. “As far as I’m concerned, this will be a step up from where I was. Especially if you follow your promise and I follow mine. I just expected the place to be bigger.” She shrugs, and my eyes narrow at her trivial remark.
Like I said, it is a back-and-forth game with her of who can hit with a lower blow.