Page 36 of Mob Princess

But when he spoke, I felt my world shatter. “You won’t get what you want by misbehaving, sweet girl.”

My eyes flew open. “What?”

He pushed me out to arm’s length before releasing me. “You won’t get what you wish by disobeying me left and right.”

Did he really just say that?. “I’m not a child. You don’t have to give me commands.”

He hung up his coat. “Then, prove to me that you can operate without them.”

Oh, if only she could. “You haven’t given me that chance.”

He spun around. “I’ve given you it many, many times. And every time I give you the smallest thing I need you to do—like staying around here, or taking me with you whenever you go somewhere—you pull something like this. You prove to me that you can’t even listen to something I’m telling you to do because I don’t want you to get slaughtered. You really think I’m going to give you what you want when I can’t trust you?”

I pointed up at him. “The only thing I’ve ever shown you is loyalty. It started with not killing you and has brought us to this point. But you don’t give a damn about any of that, do you?”

He loomed over me. “I’ll give a damn about it when I know the woman who claims to love me can listen to me.”

“Then, maybe you should start to understand that I’m not—nor will I ever be—your kept woman. I’m either someone you consider a partner or I’m a stranger. There’s no in-between.”

“Well, by those conditions, you’re a stranger, then. So, close your robe and get decent. I’ve got dinner coming to us.”

He brushed past me, and I couldn't stop my mouth from kicking back at him. “You promised.”

He froze. “Promised what?”

I closed my robe. “We made a deal that in exchange for certain things, I was willing to let you have me every night, any way you wanted. No matter what. Yet, you haven’t touched me once. Are you defaulting on your word?”

He chuckled. “Sweet girl—”

“Bonnie.”

He peered over his shoulder. “Bonnie. That wasn’t a deal. That was a bargain. I wanted something, and in exchange, you offered something else. I don’t have to take you up on that offer.”

“You gave me your word that you’d take me every night.”

He faced me. “No. You gave me your word that you’d let me have it. I simply agreed to the terms. It’s there if I want it, but I’m the ultimate determiner of whether or not I accept what you’ve offered in exchange for what I’ve already gotten. My terms were the demand. Your terms were the compromise. Learn the difference.”

I wanted to wring his neck. “You’re a snake.”

He turned his back on me. “Welcome to the club. I’m sure those who think the same thing are out there selling t-shirts. Get yourself one, so you’ve got something to wear other than jeans or your robe.”

My back fell against the wall as he started up the stairs. I held back tears as a pain I’d never experienced before reared its ugly head. It grew hard to breathe. It grew hard to think. I couldn't see straight as I slid down the wall, watching as they all caved in on top of me.

“And Bonnie?”

I sniffled. “Yes?”

“From the beginning, I knew I wouldn't have you every night. You offered it, and the offer was tantalizing. But I made myself a promise when I accepted your offer.”

“You gonna tell me what it is? Or, are you going to keep mouthing off?”

He chuckled. “When I know without an inkling of a doubt you’re completely mine? And hold no allegiance to anyone else but me? I’ll have you.”

I slowly raised my gaze to his. “Seriously? That’s the promise you made yourself?”

His eyes darkened. “When I know this for certain, I’ll take you every night. Against the wall. Against the windows. On top of our dinner. I’ll climb under that table and feast on you while I make you eat the dinner you’ve made for me. And when you’re weak and wet and begging me to stop, I’ll carry you into the shower and have my way with you. Dirtying you up while the water tries to wash you clean. You’ll become mine, Bonnie. Only mine, and no one else’s. Every night, for the rest of your life once I know I can trust you. So stop. Fucking. Up.”

I held my breath as he walked up the stairs, disappearing out of sight. I couldn't think straight, let alone speak. As tears flooded my neck and the sun began to set, I felt the room spin around me. So, I laid down and pressed my cheek against the cool marble flooring.

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