Page 39 of Bound By Flames

“Where’s Mrs Malone?” I ask as I give her my cut.

She swallows nervously. “Upstairs, sir.”

I nod, both of us knowing that Mia can’t see her in there. That’s what you pay good staff for. Little mistakes can be changed, but discretion, loyalty, and understanding of dynamics are priceless.

I walk to our living room, warm tones making it inviting with the wood molding and the modern cream sofas. I notice a laptop and a pink notebook are on one of the armchairs. Mia must have put her workstation here this afternoon. I like imagining my woman laid here in her tight clothes. What I would give to stay here and watch her all day with her glittery pen. It’s making me want to punch something as I imagine her chewing the damn thing in her full lips while she daydreams.

Focus.

First, get rid of Carolina.

Second, find Mia.

“Carolina,” I say with a dry and cold tone I reserve for fuckers who usually end up in my basement at the club.

“Hi, handsome,” she replies with a sultry, raspy voice.

Fuck no.

“I was in the neighborhood and I thought why not drop by and say hi.” She angles her face to gawk at me shamelessly. She reminds me of someone, her manners similar to the woman who used to live here years ago.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea, you probably should go.” It’s Vanessa’s friend, telling her to get the fuck out isn’t probably the best idea. My sister would lose her shit over it.

“I couldn’t properly say goodbye last time I was here and I wanted to show you something,” she says as she unbuttons hershirt, her chest naked underneath as she lets the fabric fall on the rug.

What in the actual fuck?

I’ll deal with Vaness’ later.

Can’t say I didn’t try the easy way.

“The fuck you think you’re doing?” I grunt, unaffected by her attempts at seducing me. “The only reason I’m not throwing you away is because you know my sister, but let's make one thing clear, whatever shit you think is happening between us,” I tilt my head to the side as a slight sound echoes behind her, “isn’t happening. You’ve met my wife? Think I need anything more?”

She gasps, her jaw falling down, her eyes filled with anger.

Fuck her. The sooner she gets out, the sooner I’ll make sure Mia won’t find her naked in our home. Don’t want my little tornado to think I’d give a second of attention to this woman.

Right when I’m about to stride upstairs to find my Mia, I hear a fucking cute curse right before watching my delicious little wife trip on the floor of the entryway like a deer caught in plain sight.

Eavesdropping.

Wouldn’t have expected anything less.

I swallow a grin ‘cause there’s no fucking way I’m smiling in front of this woman standing here and rush to Mia, expecting to help her. But she storms to the stairs and beats me to it, shutting our door and locking it so fast I don’t have time to open it.

Shit.

Did she hear all of our conversation? If she only got a glimpse then she’s perhaps making things up in her head. Why did she even listen in the first place?

Could Mia be…jealous?

Knocking less aggressively on the door, I try to calm myself.

“Mia, princess, open the door.”

Let me fix this.

Please.