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“Well, I don’t know if I’m supposed to think you as a mafia boss is hot, but I kind of did.” Gil cocked his head to the side as if he was trying to work out whether I was joking. I licked my bottom lip and slid my hand from his back up into his hair. “You thought it was… hot?”
When I pulled back, I noted his cheeks had a faint pink tinge to them. His eyes were lowered as if he wasn’t used to being complimented. Well, he would have to get used to it if he wanted to be with me.
“I’ll protect you with my life.”
Edric didn’t even bother saying hello as he walked in as if he owned the damn place. The little shit treated it like his own. It was why I’d never given him a key. He would come and go as he pleased otherwise.
“Please tell me the reason she’s still sleeping is ‘cause you wore her out.” “Shut up.” His hazel eyes twinkled.
“Okay, okay, I get it. You don’t want me leering at her, but fuck, Gil, she’s a knockout. You kept that very quiet.”
I walked over to the counter and started digging out what he’d brought with him so I wouldn’t give in to the urge to deck him. I wasn’t a jealous person, but I knew what Edric was like with women. He didn’t stick around for long after he got what he wanted. He had an almost allergic reaction to commitment of any kind. I didn’t know why anyone put up with his shit. Well, I suppose I did because everyone talked about how charming he was, but I knew the real Edric, not the happy-go-lucky façade he liked to put up.
Theia came over to me, looking a little nervous about the fact my best friend was here. I wrapped my arm around her waist the moment she got close and tugged her into my side. “Good morning,” I murmured, nuzzling her neck.
Edric raised his eyebrows and nodded at Theia. I gave him a sharp nod back. I didn’t care if she heard us talking business. She wouldn’t snitch. Besides, she’d seen me kill last night. If she wanted to run, she could have, but she’d stayed. I trusted her.
I wasn’t like those traditionalists. Theia needed to know what she was getting herself into with me so she could make an informed decision about our relationship.
I wouldn’t hide anything from her.
They might scare the crap out of me, but it didn’t change facts. I wanted her by my side.
We both ignored Edric’s sound of outrage as Theia leaned closer and placed her hand on my thigh. “I like him,” she whispered. “You’re the only one in this room who does.” She smiled.
Considering I’d barely thought about sex in the past, the fact I wanted her so much was unsettling.
The front door slammed, and I pulled away from Theia. The two of us burst out into a fit of laughter. I’d given Edric a taste of his own medicine. He was clearly very unimpressed with me. No doubt I’d never hear the end of it. It wasn’t like me to be playful, but Theia brought out new sides of me.
“Oh. Is that something you’d like me to whisper to you in bed? About how I’m going to gut anyone who tries to take you from me.” Theia buried her face in my shoulder as she squirmed again.
Not to mention your brother. He’s going to know—” I wrapped my hand around the back of her neck so she couldn’t go anywhere. “I don’t give a shit what Zayn knows.
His eyes darkened, but he kept any other emotion from his face. It made me shake in his hold.
“Are you going to put that dirty mouth of yours to good work, Theia? I want you to get my cock nice and wet.” Gil drew me closer to him by my hair. “Go on, wrap those lips around it.”
“You think this is beautiful?” I waved at my face. “I’m pretty sure I look like a train wreck.” He smiled wider. “You’re my train wreck.” I slapped his shoulder. “Oh, shut up.” His smile didn’t fade,
“Well, you’ve just made this girl’s whole entire year.” “Has it been that slow so far?” Where the hell did this cheeky side come from? Maybe Edric has been rubbing off on him.
“Or I’m going to teach you a lesson.” I launched myself at him, shoving him backwards on the bed, and pinned his hands to the covers. The way Gil grinned up at me set my heart on fire.
When my gaze landed on Theia, I could tell she was enjoying the attention, so I let it be. They could look all they wanted. I would be the one peeling the dress off her body later,
“Well, my cousin here looks like he could kill a man without blinking, but you…” She waved at him. “You look like a fuckboy who couldn’t tie his own shoelaces without help.” I’d never seen Edric’s mouth drop open so fast.
“You still owe me a private show.” I smiled as he pulled away. “Anytime, Gil. All you have to do is ask.” He didn’t respond, but I knew he’d heard me. The man would store the piece of information away to use at his discretion. It was how we worked.
Her curly hair was flowing freely over her shoulders, something I knew my brother liked. I’d seen him playing with her hair on multiple occasions when he thought no one else was watching.
I watched Arlo wrap his arm around Rina’s shoulder and whisper something in her ear. Rina nodded at him before turning to Theia. “I-I-It’s n-n-nice to m-m-meet you. I’m v-very h-happy Gil has f-found s-s-someone.” Rina rarely spoke. We all knew she had trouble because of her stammer, but to hear her make an effort with Theia made me reach out and take my girlfriend’s hand under the table.
“You’re not upset she never wanted you?” Ari shook her head. “I have Dad. He wanted me enough for both of them. I’ve never been under any illusions about her. If she wanted me, she would have been there.” She let out a breath. “This gives me… closure.”
Well, she’d been a little weirded out by how many weapons I owned,
Gil had said Zayn kept this part of his life a secret, but he knew I knew.
“Not that I think he would, but if my brother does ever fuck you over, I’ll sort him out.”
“You’d be on my side?” Zayn shrugged.
He rose from his seat and looked down at me. “You’re family now, Theia. Villettis protect their own.”
Gil and I hadn’t been together long, and yet his brother still saw me as part of their family. It made my heart ache. My parents hadn’t cared about me, but these people did.
How could I tell him all I ever wanted was to feel like I had a place in the world, and he’d given that to me just by being with me?
“Just stay close, okay?” “I promise.” “Good girl.” I shivered at his praise and caught him smiling before he got out of the car. He knew exactly what he’d done by saying that.
“You couldn’t have left Theia with them?” Gil gave him a dark look. “No. I need her where I can see her.” Edric rolled his eyes. “So possessive,” he muttered.
Having her close was important. I would have been stressed out if I’d left her with my men while Edric and I infiltrated the building.
I almost broke down into more tears. I didn’t want to watch him die. I couldn’t. It was too much. Too fucking much.
There was a slight twitch of his mouth as if he knew what I’d remembered. Then he gave me a subtle bob of his head.
If I had to save us, so fucking be it. I’d do anything for the man I loved. And I’d do it for myself too.
I looked down at my girl. She’d stopped crying and was holding onto me like she never wanted to let go.
Tomorrow, I’d set about making sure my cousins were aware of who was the fucking boss around here. Me.
“I’d never thought I’d see the day you would willingly take care of another person.” “Why wouldn’t I? She’s my girl, and I love her.” I walked down the stairs, ignoring his wide-eyed look.
You still want to tell me I’m incapable now? The way I see it, you two are the ones who are running your own empire into the ground.”
I didn’t need to be my father. All I had to do was be me. A fair but ruthless mafia boss who didn’t take fools lightly.
He would never be a people person, but he was open with me.
“Anything for you, my love. I want you to make this your home too. This is only the start. We’re going to build a whole life together.”
He’d got me a present. It was my turn to give him one in return. “Go sit.”
It made me feel alive, knowing I was his sole focus. He wanted me and only me.
