AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She clears her throat and pulls on her pajamas in an adorable way. “I would for you.”
“Thanks, but there’s no need to, Callie. I’m already under Nicolo’s protection.”
She pokes me with the sternness of an angry grandmother. “Nicolo is a damn opportunist who wouldn’t hesitate to chew you up and spit you out the moment he’s done with you.”
“And Mateo won’t?”
“No.” She lifts her chin. “He’s loyal.”
“I thought he cheated.”
“Well…aside from that.” She winces and doesn’t even seem to believe her earlier convictions anymore.
At this point, she’s either playing an epic hard-to-get role or she really is too far into her head to see what Mateo is doing for her.
He’s a man with nothing in his sights but Caroline. The world seems to be a vessel to her existence.
And she’s blind to all of that.
The mob is for life and the only way out is death, which means no divorces are allowed. It’s the reason my mother killed herself to be able to leave. So at this point, Mateo is only humoring Callie. When push comes to shove, he’ll never allow the divorce. Not even if Nicolo gives him the green light to go against their customs for it.
“Anyway.” She starts to close my laptop. “Stop working or I’ll call Kingsley and report that you’re not taking your vacation seriously.”
My fingers twitch and I miss the chance to keep my laptop open. I can’t believe that the mere mention of the bastard’s name is enough to tilt my psyche off its axis.
This isn’t normal, ordinary, or acceptable, and yet, I can’t for the life of me control my reaction when it comes to that man.
It’s like he muddied my soul and has made a cozy place for himself in my chest.
Even now, images of him unapologetically owning me, taking whatever he wanted without an ounce of hesitation or questions, play in my head like a haunting movie.
I should be revolted by the idea of anyone controlling me, and part of me is, but that’s not the most prominent part.
That one is currently making my core throb in remembrance as I struggle to stay in the moment.
“Don’t you dare, Callie.”
The sweet smile that curves her lips nearly gives me diabetes. “I most definitely will if you keep being a stubborn hellion. The nickname isn’t so cute now that it’s in real life.”
“Cute is the last thing I want to be.”
“But you looked hella cute in that little white dress you wore that night. Bet you drove the poor man crazy.”
“Callie…for the thousandth time, nothing happened.”
“Uh-huh. Sure. I totally believe you.”
“Callie!”
“What? You smelled like cologne and had flushed cheeks and glittery eyes.”
“I was in pain.”
“Pain of desire, sure. But hey, you go for it, girl. At least one of us is getting some action.”
“Get out of here before I smack you.”
She blows me a kiss. “You know you love me and that I’m right.”
