Page 33 of Bound By Flames
“I, yes, thank you so much.” I’m genuinely grateful for her being here with me in this big empty house.
“Anything, really.” She nods at me with a spark as if she had been worried about me. I nod back before turning my face away, sensing the tears coming up again. She’s so good, she doesn’t even let it become uncomfortable and disappears in the hallway. I glance at the tray and notice she chose different things than the usual breakfast they serve me, which I basically only cut into small pieces and push around the corner of each plate as if I had eaten something. This time, all I find is green tea with a bowl of yogurt and fresh berries on the side. As if Ares had told her about my taste from his observation at our wedding.
No, don’t you dare be grateful for this man.
There’s a small envelope on the side, next to a small pink notebook and a glittery pen.
Strange, I would have never thought Ares had that kind of supplies in his home.
I don’t know what’s in the envelope but whatever it is, I’m not ready to forgive him anytime soon. But curiosity takes the best of me. I open it and find a hand-written letter. Reading it quickly, I clench my jaw and stare out the window.
This man.
THIS FREAKING MAN.
What am I gonna do with him?
Ares
Mia,
You have every right to be mad. I wouldn’t expect any mercy, especially not from you. Write in the notebook every food and stuff you like and I’ll make sure Larry only makes them for you from now on.
The doc will come check on you this morning. Let him do it. Please.
I know it took too fucking long for you to get out of the house but I needed time to find the best team. Here’s two phone numbers of men I’d trust with my life. You want to go out, you call them, they’ll accompany you everywhere.
Take your time being angry but come back to our bed tonight.
Can’t fucking stand my wife not sleeping next to me.
-A
Chapter 8
Mia
“Do you guys want something?” I ask my two new bodyguards, who shake their heads in response as I order a matcha latte from this cutesy place we drove by for my first outing. I waited two weeks to call them and go out. I guess I needed time to recover from my episode, and since seeing the doctor, who was super nice and actually looking more like Father Christmas than anything else, I knew I had to rest a bit. It’s not really in my nature to dwell on things but that night was pretty intense for me, maybe the biggest episode I’ve ever had, so staying in wasn’t that bad.
Ares gave me space too, coming home late and leaving early like he used to, but this time, he didn’t act like he was avoiding me. It was intentional as if he knew I needed it. And when he was here, he didn’t try to connect with me or invade my space. I would just notice him watching me from the corner of my eyes every now and then when I was in the kitchen, reading on our bed or doing my pilates in the living-room. For the last fourteen days, he kept leaving me small notes on his pillow for me to wake up to.
Have a good day, princess.
Painters coming in the afternoon, stay away from inhaling the paint.
Sun is out, Maria will make your lunch on the terrasse.
Good first outing, princess. Stay close to Shadow and Ash.
Never thought this broody, cold criminal would ever take the time to write me notes. It feels strangely…nice. But I'm not forgetting what he did to me four days ago. So I’m not impressed. Not at all. He can keep his notes and his nicknames and shove them up his-
“Mrs Malone, here,” says the young, ginger one, giving me a black Amex card. “Boss said it arrived this mornin’.” The card shimmers with my new name on it.
Mrs Mia Malone.
“I already have one.” I shrug, showing him the one that was on my night table the day I moved in.
“Boss said this one is better, think it’s a no-limit kind of card.” He’s still holding it in the air for me to take, while the other one, a good looking older blond guy, shakes his head with a knowing smile. Yeah, this one has experienced women in his life. He’s not clueless like his younger partner.
