Page 125 of When She Unravels
“I’m safe by your side,” she snaps. “Don’t even try. I’m not leaving. Unless you want to sedate me and stuff me inside a trunk, I’m not going anywhere.”
I place my hands on her delicate shoulders and meet her angry eyes in the mirror. “I’m not stuffing my beautiful wife into a trunk,” I mutter. “Not again. It was only an idea.”
“A bad one,” she retorts. “Haven’t I proven to you by now that I’m not helpless? I don’t need saving. After these weeks on Ibiza, I’ve realized I’m far stronger than I ever gave myself credit for.”
“Vale, you’re the strongest person I know. It’s not you being weak that I’m worried about. It’s me.”
Her expression softens at my confession. She puts her comb back down on the vanity and places her hand over mine. “If we’re doing this, we’re doing this together. I’m not going to be cooped up in some remote Italian villa while you fight for your throne and risk your life. You need me, Dem.”
I lace her fingers with mine. I do need her. Her wisdom, her strength, and her courage. Just looking at her fills me with certainty there’s only one way for this to end.
With our victory.
She stands and throws her arms around my neck. “I love you. No matter what happens, I’ll love you through it all.”
Warmth spreads through my chest. I wrap her damp hair around my fist and bring her lips to mine. She tastes so goddamn sweet.
When we break apart, I rest my forehead against hers. “Before I met you, I thought romantic love made people crazy and weak. I was right about the first.Cazzo,I’m so fucking crazy about you. But love doesn’t make us weak. It’s the opposite. It shows us what we absolutely can’t lose—what’s worth dying for. I’d die for you, Vale.”
She kisses me again. “I’d prefer you live for me instead.”
* * *
An hour later, I’m sitting in my office. My hair’s still damp after I convinced Vale to take a second shower with me once we finished our conversation.
I pick up the phone and dial Napoletano.
He picks up on the third ring. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
“How would you—” My eyes jump to the corners of the room. “Are you watching me right now?”
“Ras called me earlier.”
I lean back in my chair and pinch the bridge of my nose. “Right.”
There’s a clipped chuckle. “How does it feel being a married man?”
“Excellent. Thinking about trying it?”
“No.”
I wait for him to say more, but apparently that’s all he’s got on the topic, so after a moment, I continue. “I’m about to pull the trigger.”
“The timing is right. There’s a lot of discontent in the ranks. I think you’ll find the support you need quicker than you expected.”
“Good. Still, I have to plan for the worst.” Spinning my pen over a knuckle, I release a breath. “I can’t have the two people I care about most in one place. Vale insists on staying, but Mari is still…unwell. She hasn’t fully recovered from what happened, and I want her someplace safe. Somewhere she’ll be able to heal.”
There’s a long silence on the other end of the line that I suspect is underscored with distaste. He’s probably pissed off I called him about this instead of something more suited for his skillset.
“Look, I know you’re not a babysitter. I’m asking for a favor—”
“I’ll take her.”
There’s no emotion in how he says the words, but the delivery is almost too flat. Like he’s actively trying to keep his voice neutral.
A hint of unease latches onto my spine. I shrug it off. Napoletano is nearly impossible to read when you’re talking to him face-to-face, let alone over the phone. The man is an enigma. It’s one of the many reasons he’s so fucking good at what he does. I hate the idea of sending Mari away, but besides Ras, he’s the only one I can trust with her.
“I don’t know how long it will be until things cool down.”
