Page 16 of Mafia Don's Twisted Proposal
Mia flinches, and I hate myself for putting that fear in her eyes.
“Is that why you had to trick a drunk woman into marrying you?” Her voice is acid. “Because there’s a hell of a downside to being your wife?”
“You need to take this threat seriously, Mia. The Bratva is dangerous, and they’re getting bolder.”
The truth burns in my blood. They’ve been seizing our shipments, pushing into our territory like they have a death wish. If I don’t check them soon, we’ll lose millions. And lives.
But I’ve said enough. Mia has gone quiet, probably processing the reality of what she’s walked into. Or been dragged into, depending on how you look at it.
The silence stretches until I can’t stand it anymore.
“Have you ever committed a crime, Mia?”
“No.”
Lie.
I glance at the sunglasses perched on top of her head, the ones I watched her slip into her purse at a boutique three days ago.
“Are you sure? Even something small like...stealing?”
Her mouth falls open. “What? Why would you ask that?”
I shrug, keeping my voice casual. “I think a lot of people commit petty crimes. So, do you?”
We’re stopped at another light, so I turn to really look at her. Her throat works as she swallows hard.
“Yeah, okay? I do!”
The admission bursts out of her like she’s angry at herself for making it. After everything I just confessed to, she’s acting like I’m going to judge her for shoplifting. It’s adorable.
“Do you do it often?” I ask, careful to keep judgment out of my voice.
“No.” She won’t meet my eyes.
“Why do you do it? Money problems?”
I want to tell her she’ll never have to worry about money again, that I have more than enough to give her anything she could want for the rest of her life. But I don’t want to derail this conversation when she’s finally opening up.
“No, it’s not that.” Her voice goes soft, almost dreamy. “Sometimes I get this urge. Like a ball of anticipation in my stomach, daring me to try. And when I do, when I get away with it...I get this rush. Like when I’m flying down the highway on my bike, or that time I went swimming with sharks. It’s a thrill, and I kind of love it.”
The faraway look in her eyes lands in a place I usually keep locked up tight. Then she blinks, refocusing on me, and bites her bottom lip.
“You’re the first person I’ve ever told about that.”
Something primal roars to life in my chest.Mine.She’s trusted me with this secret, this piece of herself.
“Don’t worry,” I tell her. “Your secret’s safe. After all, we’re husband and wife. We need to be able to trust each other.”
The vulnerability vanishes from her face like I’ve slapped her. She turns back to the window.
“There’s no way I’ll ever trust you,” she mutters.
The rejection settles heavy inside me. But Mia doesn’t realize what she’s dealing with. She thinks those walls she’s built will keep me out.
She’s wrong.
I’m coming for her like a wrecking ball, and I’ll tear down every defense she has until she lets me in.
