Page 329 of Don’t Say Mafia

I’d make her come so many times she’d lose count until her body craved me like air, until every time she tried to stand, her legs gave out and she fell back into my arms.

I’d feed her. Hold her. Whisper promises in her ear while I was buried deep inside her. I’d show her the world from the windows, but never let her step outside until she understood that the world out there was nothing compared to the one I’d build for us.

I’d break her down piece by piece.

Until the doubt was gone.

Until the fear was replaced with need.

Until she gave in and accepted her fate—accepted that she was mine, that leaving wasn’t an option, that her place was here, in my bed, in my arms, in my life.

Until she looked at me and saw not a monster, but the only man who’d ever loved her enough to never let her go.

And if that made me a villain . . .

So be it.

I’d be her villain.

As long as I was hers.

Well . . . that had been a trip down psycho lane. But I guess at least I had a plan in place.

I dragged a hand down my face and huffed out a quiet breath. Fucking hell. If anyone could hear the way my brain spiraled when it came to her, they’d stage an intervention. Shaking my head because I was starting to sound like Jace, I reached for my phone on the nightstand.

Eden shifted but didn’t wake when I carefully untangled myself enough to type one-handed.

Me: I’m coming to the game this weekend. Make sure there are two seats…good ones.

The typing bubble popped up almost immediately. Of course it did.

Jace: 2 seats?

I stared at the screen for a second, already regretting this.

Me: Yes. Front row. Or something close. And if you stick me in the nosebleeds again while the rest of the family sits in the good seats, I’ll end you.

I could practically see his grin. In a game last season, he’d gotten me tickets so high up I’d needed binoculars while my parents and his friends waved from the best seats in the stadium. The game had been sold out, so I’d had no choice but to sit there. He’d claimed it was a “mix-up.”

It had absolutely not been a mix-up.

Jace: That was funny, and you know it. Also, not helping your cause by telling me you’ll end me.

Jace: Sounds very mafia if you know what I mean.

Me: Jace.

Jace: Mr. Felony Duke Supreme

Jace: And don’t think I haven’t noticed your lack of an answer regarding why you need 2 seats.

Jace: Also, I’m giving myself ten points because “regarding why” sounds incredibly smart, and it’s important to reward yourself.

Shaking my head at my idiot of a brother, who absolutely didn’t deserve ten points—whatever the fuck that was—I glanced down at Eden. She’d rolled onto her stomach now and the sheet had slipped down so I could see the top of her delicious ass. Perfection.

Me: I finally found someone I don’t fall asleep on.

The response took longer this time.