Hate Me (The Fox Family Crime Syndicate, #2)

by Summer O'Toole

Marriage for love is for princesses in the fairytales, not princesses in the Mafia.

“I can’t believe you remember that.” “I remember every second I’ve spent with you.”

“Don’t ever cover yourself in front of me. Not when you look like Aphrodite herself.”

“Every part of you is going to belong to me by the end of the night,” he whispers into my flesh and begins to undo my jeans with his teeth. Fuck if I’ve ever seen anything hotter than this man on his knees for me.

have one question before we begin—” “What’s my safe word?” I guess. “No.” His voice is shockingly cold, detached and starkly different to the tone he’s used all night and dread sinks into me. “What the fuck are you and those French bitches planning?”

“Did he fuck you sweet and slow like the princess you think you are or hard and rough like the whore I know you are?”

She looks like a goddess, even on a bathroom counter, and I’ll fucking kneel at her altar.

“Eyes on me, princess. Watch me ruin you for all other men, especially that so-called fiancé.”

“Fuck me and tell me how lucky you are.” He stills his thrusts and breathes heavily, taking in my words. “How lucky you are that after everything that’s happened, everything you’ve done, I’m still here, still wanting you.”

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Ef. Sometimes it feels like I can’t fucking breathe.”

I hop off the stool and go to my luggage. It takes a little digging, but finally I find it: a burner cell phone I packed for situations just like this. I dial and listen to it ring. “Oui, allo?” “Linnie, it’s Effie…I have a job for you.”

istg pls dont betray him

“Of course. Do you have one of those things for your hair?” He waves his hand in a circle above his head. It takes me a second, but then I laugh. “Do you mean a hair tie?” I flick the elastic around my wrist.

this man seriously needs a femals presence

Finn cuddles in next to me, scooping me under his arm, and I rest my head on his chest. The opening credits begin, and the sound is old and scratchy like vinyl. It’s barely louder than the chorus of crickets and frogs. There’s a small gust of wind that blows into the garage and Finn tugs me closer, folding a blanket over our laps. He holds the bag of corn I brought to his cheek proudly, like it’s a trophy. There’s a small popping sound and when I look behind us, the rest of the Christmas lights have gone out. Finn gives me a look that says, well, I tried, and then he goes back to playing with my wet hair.

this is thr cutest shit ever

As I drift off to sleep to the iconic theme song playing in the background, there’s one thought I keep coming back to: I’ve never felt so safe.

She idly plays with poker chips left on the table from a previous game while I drum on the rim of my drink. Her eyes catch on the movement. “You have nice hands.” “Thank you?” I cock a brow at her. “They would look good around my throat,” she says hushed over her glass as she takes another sip. “Jesus Christ, Ef…” I breathe.

wish I could live in this moment forever,” she says, sinking back against me. “Then forever it is, princess. You and me, forever.”

No phone, no weapon, no plan—yet—but despite all that, my end goal is crystal clear: I am getting my wife back.

“Did we already get to the ‘speak now or forever hold your peace’ part? Because I object on account that Euphemia Fox is already married. To me.” 1.

“You’re nothing but a whore—” “I’m speaking.”

abso-fucking-lutely

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes but loving you was never one of them. I may not be a gentleman, but you are worthy of gentle love, and I vow to give you all you deserve and more.”

“I never wanted a gentleman. I only wanted you.”