Page 95 of Mafia Obsession

I follow him into his closet, still wanting to argue. Maybe it’s what I need to feel alive. I’m not choosing peace tonight!

Before I can argue more, his phone vibrates from atop the center dresser.

He glances at the screen and mutters something under his breath. “There’s an issue in the guards’ wing. Stay here.”

As if I have anywhere else to go.

The main door to the bedroom closes behind him, and all the energy deflates from the room.

I count to three and then step softly toward the door. I half expect to see a guard posted, but no, the wing is empty. I go back inside the bedroom. Ares moves at a brisk pace, but I must be faster. I grab my bag and fire up my laptop.

I find a local bank, open an account, and process a transfer from the shell account. It takes several hair-raising minutes to set up and verify, and I’m sure I’ll be caught, but suddenly the screen refreshes, and the money is there and available. I navigate to the product page and request a VISA debit card. My legs nearly wobble when the confirmation instantly appears.

Approved.

Since I handle all of Ares’s mail, I have the card sent to the office.

I close my eyes briefly, steadying my breath. I hate this feeling of betrayal, but Sandrine comes first.

Hearing footsteps, I slam the laptop closed, slide it back into the bag, and kick it under the bed. As soon as that card gets delivered, I’ll leave. How? I have no idea. But I’ll figure it out.

The bedroom door opens without warning. I shoot my gaze up at Ares, and he studies me sitting on the bed. His bed.

He smiles like he’s won.

“Come with me, please.” He gestures toward the hallway.

I follow him through the wing’s long hallway, past the main living area, and into the foyer where his guards stand waiting.

The burliest of the men and the one who scares me the most is there. Wrath.

“Wrath, Envy, Pride, and Greed are now yours,” Ares says.

Each nods once, measured and silent.

I blink. “Mine?”

“I’m assigning four of my seven guards to you.”

“Fourguards?” I stagger back a step and lower myself into the nearest chair before my knees crap out entirely. “For how long?”

“Until I eliminate the final threat,” he replies as though this is all completely normal. “Someone will try to take you again. That is not speculation.”

The room feels colder suddenly as I try to object, but I can’t speak.

“On New Year’s Eve, when I unveil the Aurelian, I will also announce our engagement,” he says, his gaze locked on mine. “You will be considered untouchable.”

Untouchable.

I don’t know what’s worse, being hunted or owned. Either way, none of this is what I want.

“Now, let me show you the rest of our home.” He gestures me toward the kitchen.

I have no choice but to follow. Despite the order and my captivity, I’m curious.

In the kitchen, stainless steel appliances gleam beneath overhead lights. The cook, a woman in a colorful apron, looks up from a simmering pot. Seeing Ares, she gives him her full attention.

“This is Lourdes,” Ares says. “She is to have whatever she wants.”