Page 160 of Mafia and Gold Digger

I’ll give it everything I can. I’ll show her that she matters the world to me.

If she runs, I follow. Every single time.

If she thinks she’s unworthy, I’ll prove her wrong. Every damn day for the rest of my life.

Emerald is it for me.

She’s the only person who’s come into my life and made me feel something in that lump of coal I call my heart. And she’s made it beat in a way it hasn’t in well over two decades. She’s worked her way under my skin and stayed there. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I was a damn fool for thinking I could pretend to be with Emerald and not fall over that edge.

She evenapologizedto me for running out of the wedding and not telling me about the baby. But I still couldn’t tell her how I really feel about her…

It was a dangerous game of chess.

And I lost.

And gladly so.

But the problem isn’t how I feel.It’s voicing it. It’s telling her that she’s the only woman I want. She’s it for me. I want her. The good parts and the bad parts. The sunshine smiles, the stealing, and the OCD—all of it.

I slam the car into park outside the precinct and stride into the building.

“Can I help you?”

“I’m here to see Emerald Fiorelli.”

“Who?”

My jaw tightens. “Emerald Fiorelli.”

“Sir, I don’t?—”

“It’s okay, Chen, I’ve got him. He’s a friend,” Rawlins says from behind the counter. Officer Chen buzzes me back, and I fall into step beside Rawlins. “Rough night?” he asks.

“What?”

“You look exhausted.”

“Yeah, something like that. Where is she?”

“Down the hall. It’s the last holding cell on the right.”

I push past him, my feet carrying me before my mind can process what’s happening. What do I even say to her? For a man so hellbent on being ten or twelve steps ahead of everyone, Emerald leaves me second guessing myself and questioning everything I know.

She leaves me out of control.

I hate it.

But I love it at the same time.

I slow myself down, shoving my hands into my pockets as I approach her cell. She’s curled up on the small bench, arms crossed.

My tongue runs across the flat of my teeth as I take her in. I trace over her body, a rumble of fury and relief rising to the top of my chest.

I lean against the bars of the cell. “You know they give you a phone call.”

Her gaze snaps to mine. “What are you doing here?”

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