Page 18 of Kidnapped By the Mafia Boss
“I notice these things about you,” I reply mildly.
She’s bathed in sunshine as she picks a croissant, smothers chocolate spread on it, and devours it with the same enthusiasm as I would eat her.
“I’ve messaged my roommate.” She licks the flakes of pastry from her fingers. “Told her who you are and sent her my location.”
I frown. “Not your parents?”
She looks at me from the corner of her eye as she takes a sip of tea, and doesn’t answer my question, more or less telling me all I need to know. I was already aware they were negligent. NowI can see they’re uncaring, too. My poor zayka. I wonder how to persuade her to let me take care of her?
“You’re not annoyed that I’ve revealed the location of your secret lair?” she says into her cup.
“No, that’s sensible. I’m glad that you’re taking precautions for your safety.” I don’t add, now, but she hears it all the same.
“I should go home.”
I shake my head. “Not until your memory has returned.”
There’s something comfortingly reasonable and caring about that. As though it isn’t just because I selfishly want her near me.
“I need to work,” she protests. “I can’t lose my job.”
“Your boss already knows about your absence. It’s fine.”
She narrows her eyes. “The vet clinic was bought out recently.”
“Mm. Was it?” I reply innocently.
“Rather quick. That wouldn’t have anything to do with my miraculously understanding boss, would it?”
“It’s convenient,” I acknowledge. Being the owner of the company she worked for wasn’t a major expense given how much money I have. It was the work of a moment to have that part of her life under my control.
“You won’t let me leave.”
“I want to look after you, Jenna.”
She straightens and pushes her tea away. “I’m your prisoner.”
“If you decide to think of it that way.” I shrug. “I don’t mind being the villain if that’s what you need.”
“Well, you did kidnap and stalk me,” she points out, tilting her chin up. “That’s villain behaviour.”
I can’t help a smirk. “Not according to those books you read.”
“Mmm.” Pink tinges her cheeks. She talks on her Instagram account about the dark romance books she reads, and we bothknow how the line between villain and hero is blurred in the stories she enjoys.
A tiny smile tugs at her lips, as though to say, “Being kidnapped isn’t so bad.” I reply with my own smile that replies, “Just wait and see how good it can be.”
“And you understand why I can’t let you go until you have your memory back,” I continue. I did some reading about the drugs she was given while she slept. It could be hours or days until memories return. Or maybe even longer. Plenty of time for my men to find Howard and deal out justice. “Any recollections of last night yet?”
“No.” She looks disconcerted for a moment, then her mouth twists wryly. “Only ones I’d rather forget. If I could have amnesia for my first date, I’d take it in a heartbeat.”
“Do I need to hide all the heavy objects so you can’t hurt yourself trying to lose more memory?” I tease.
“I thought you’d hide your big hammer, so I didn’t hit you with it.” Her eyes sparkle and I’m so glad to see it. That one bad experience hasn’t dimmed her.
“I’m trying to hide mybig hammerso I don’t hit you with it,” I reply wryly, and as she giggles, my heart expands. My cock, thankfully, stays calm. Because though she’s cute as fuck, she’s sad about her first date being a disaster.
“You want a do-over?” The impulsive offer is out of my mouth before I can stop it.
