Page 35 of The Mafia King's Reign
Because the first time she says yes, I want it to be real.
I close my eyes and try to sleep.
But all I see is her face when she whispered, "I can't, I won't."
All I feel is the ghost of her skin under my fingers.
All I want is the surrender she's not ready to give.
Patience, I remind myself.
Strategy.
Control.
But lying here alone in the dark, hard and aching.
Control feels like a cage.
And I'm the one locked inside it.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Valentina
Ican’t sleep.
My body is still humming from his visit. Still feeling the phantom pressure of his length against my stomach. Still hearing his voice in my ear: “See what you do to me, Bella?”
I should be relieved he left when I said no.
Instead, I’m restless. Angry. Confused about why part of me wanted to say yes.
The estate is too quiet. Too big. The kind of silence that makes you hyper-aware of every sound your body makes, the rustle of sheets, the whisper of breath, the steady thump of your own heartbeat that hasn’t quite settled since he walked out of my room.
I’ve been lying here replaying everything. His hands on my gown strap. The heat of him. The command in his voice.Take off your clothes, Valentina.
And I said no.
But my body didn’t want to say no. My body wanted to arch into him, wanted to find out what would happen if I surrendered. My brain, thankfully, still has some sense left in it.
I throw off the covers and pad to the window, trying to clear my head. The estate grounds stretch out below me, perfectlymanicured lawns disappearing into darkness. Security lights dot the perimeter like fallen stars.
In the distance, I can see a building I haven’t noticed before, a warehouse, maybe? Smaller than the main house but substantial. Floodlights illuminate the entrance.
And there are men. Three of them, dragging something, someone, inside.
My stomach drops.
All thoughts of Salvatore’s hands on me, his body pressed against mine, evaporate.
Because that’s him down there. I can see him now, striding toward the warehouse. Same purposeful walk. Same commanding presence even from this distance.
What is he doing?
I should look away. Go back to bed. Pretend I didn’t see anything.
Instead, I’m pulling on the robe hanging on the bathroom door and slipping into the hallway before my brain can catch up to what my body is doing.
