Page 109 of The Mafia King's Reign
I don't chase her. Not yet. Give her the morning to stew, to think, to miss me. By late afternoon, every muscle in my body is screaming at me to go to her, but I force myself to handle business first. Make her wait. Make her wonder.
When I finally move, I stop by the kitchen.
"Rosa, does Valentina have a favorite drink? Something specific?"
She looks up from the vegetables she's chopping, surprise crossing her face. "Milk tea. Thai tea, specifically. She mentioned it once. Said she hasn't had one in forever."
"Can you make one?"
"Sure, give me twenty minutes."
I leave and return twenty minutes later. She hands me a tall glass filled with orange-colored tea, ice, and a layer of cream on top. "Thanks, Rosa."
I carry it upstairs, then knock once, firm.
"I have something for you."
Silence. Then the lock clicks, and the door opens just enough for her to see me.
"What is it?" she asks, voice guarded.
I hold up the glass, my eyes locked on hers. "Thai milk tea."
Her eyes widen slightly. "How did you know I wanted one?"
"Rosa told me." I step closer to the threshold. "I plan to know everything about you, Valentina. Your favorite drinks, your favorite foods, what makes you smile, what makes you cry. All of it."
She stares at the drink, then at me. "Why?"
"Because you're mine. And I want to take care of what's mine."
She's quiet for a moment, then rolls her eyes and steps aside. "Come in."
I walk in, and she closes the door behind me. It's been too long since I've had her underneath me, and my body knows it.
She takes the drink from my hand, wraps her lips around the straw, and takes a long sip. Her eyes close for just a second, and I see some of the tension leave her shoulders.
"It's good," she admits quietly.
"I know." I watch her throat work as she swallows. "The women are gone. All three of them."
She takes another sip, eyes meeting mine over the rim. "Did you give them severance?"
"Yes. Plus references."
"Good. That's… that's good."
We stand there in loaded silence. In just the few weeks she's been here, this woman has seen every part of me. Has let me inside her body, given me access to her mind. Right now, all Iwant is to close the gap between us and remind her exactly who she belongs to.
"We need to talk. Come, walk with me in the garden." I don’t leave room for negotiation.
She looks at me for a long moment. "Fine. But I'm bringing this." She holds up the tea.
"Wouldn't have it any other way." I hold out my hand, palm up. Waiting.
She takes it. Her hand is small in mine, delicate. I lace our fingers together and lead her out.
We walk through the house in silence. Out the back door, past the pool, and into the garden.
