“I will,” I promise.
“I brought you a bottle of water.”
See, she thought about me. I wouldn’t tell her I have drinks for us in the bag.
“Thanks,” I say, twisting the cap and chugging half the contents in the bottle.
“Are your friends still here?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
I shrug off my backpack. “You’re good; I’ve got to sort out these bets.”
Her eyes light up. “I can help.”
She has always been fascinated by the gambling side of my family’s enterprise, though her father strictly forbids her from getting involved in his gambling operations.
“Okay, I’ll wait for you,” I tell her as I remove my laptop from my backpack.
She smirks, then darts out of the room.
“You have no idea, baby. You’re so mine. I’ll never let you go,” I mutter under my breath.
I shed my clothes, leaving on my undershirt and boxers, and drape them over the plush gold armless chair beside the bed. Her master suite feels more like a cozy apartment, complete with a sofa by the window and a sleek glass coffee table. I set our meal and laptop on the table, then flick the TV to the sports channel. Glancing at the screen, I casually drift toward the minibar on my left.
Being away from Serenity is eating me alive. I’m tired of the games and her hatred for me. I pour three fingers of whiskey into a lowball crystal glass.
Sure, I hate her guts for fucking Rod. But a part of me loves the ground she walks on. And I just can’t let her move on with another man. That’s why I’m taking this bold step to chain her to me forever.
Serenity saunters in. “Congratulations, Mr. Mafia boss.” She grins.
I sit back, smiling. “Thank you.”
Wish she could’ve come to my ceremony two months ago when I became a made man. If she had Nico and Natalia would’ve asked when we’re getting married. I’d like to take things one step at a time with Serenity.
She removes our food from the bag, unzips the hot pouch, and places our containers on the table. “Smells like my favorite meal.”
“Yup, it is.”
“Someone’s trying to get on my good side.”
“I just wanted to bring you your favorite meal,” I tell her.
She removes the lid and glides a fork through the cheese, sauce, and pasta. The look on her face as she savors the flavors on her tongue reminds me of the face she makes after she comes.
Serenity peeks at me. “Don’t think I forgot you said you have something for me. If you think I won’t put you out, you're mistaken.”
“What I have is worth the wait. Now, do you want to help enter the bets or what?”
A smile curves those beautiful lips. She takes the laptop off the table and places it in her lap. “I remember what to do.”
One of the rare times she came to my house, I explained how I enter the bets. We use fake team names, but the bettors’ names are real.
She’s always been the woman I wanted by my side. Losing her is my fault and mine alone.
Things are going to be different. I’ll admit that I want her back in my life. I’ll apologize, of course.
I’ll do whatever it takes to get her back. But first, I have a confession.
