Page 98 of The Mafia King's Reign
"I meant it," he says finally. His voice is quiet. Certain. "Every word."
I don't know what to say to that. Don't know what it means for us, for this arrangement that's becoming something neither of us planned.
"The wedding planner wants to meet," he says, changing the subject with the grace of a man who's spent his life controlling conversations. "Elena Costa. She's the best in the city. Very discreet, very fast."
"I want my mother and sister there," I say quietly.” “At the wedding?” he asks. “Yes.”
His expression softens. "Of course."
"Really?" I push up onto my elbow. "Even after everything with my mother? With who she was?"
"Yes, they're your family. They should be at your wedding."
“Your wedding.” Not “our wedding.” I notice the distinction but don't comment.
"Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me,bella mia."
He pulls me back against his chest. "Invite whoever you want. All I care about is that when you walk down that aisle, you're walking toward me."
* * *
I asked Salvatore for freedom, and he wanted to know what that meant.
The conversation was quick.
I want a car. "After the wedding."
I want to return to work at the library. "After the wedding."
I want to meet with that sleazy book agent, which was meant to be a joke, but his response was, "Let's do it today. I can dispose of him once and for all."
Almost like a normal relationship.
Salvatore and I have been together every night this week. It feels freeing. What we have feels… real. The more time we spend together, the more power I have over him. He seems to have fallen for me truly.
Unfortunately, I've fallen for him too.
What was once a goal, a means to escape, is now something else entirely. Now I'm finding ways to make this love last despite all the reasons it shouldn't. The butterflies when I'm around him. The way he holds my gaze like he means it. The way he takes my body, ruins me. I crave the pain that leads to the most satisfying release I've ever experienced.
The love Salvatore and I have feels unreal. But it is real. The way he makes me feel is real.
"Do you plan on sharing your book with us," Rosa asks, "or do we have to wait to read it from some fancy publisher's website?"
"Oh Lord, Rosa. I assure you there will be no fancy publisher for this piece. But yes, of course I'll share it once it makes more sense. Right now it's a series of random thoughts."
"Okay. So it's Friday. Do you and Mr. Vitale have any plans tonight? I know he's out of town."
"He said he'll be back before I fall asleep. Why?"
She shifts her weight. "If you plan to wait in his room, I can have dinner brought there."
"Okay… what's up, Rosa?"
"Nothing at all. I'll have dinner sent up. I do have to step out, but enjoy the rest of your day."
She leaves. That felt like a warning.
