Page 186 of Money Reigns

The words are soft. Casual. Like she doesn’t know they gut me every time.

I swallow, kiss her again, slower this time, tasting toothpaste and her warmth, and whisper against her mouth:

“I love you too, Olivia Baker.”

And it’s the truest thing I’ve ever said.

I trail my fingers down her arm slowly and glance over at the skirt I laid out.

It’s thin.

Too thin.

My jaw tightens.

“I told you,” she says with a knowing smirk, watching me notice. “The car’s warm. I’ll be fine.”

“No,” I mutter, already turning toward the drawer. “You’re wearing fleece-lined stockings today.”

“War—”

“No arguments, Olivia.” I toss them onto the bed beside the outfit. “Youinsiston wearing skirts even in the dead of winter when you have brand-new fitted trousers. So if you won’t dress warm, I’ll do it for you.”

She groans, flopping back onto the mattress dramatically. “You’re so bossy.”

I arch a brow. “And you’re going to tell me you’re not cold? I seeeverythingOlivia.”

She mumbles something into the comforter that sounds suspiciously like“You’re lucky I love you.”

I lean down, kiss the crown of her head, then whisper against her hair, “I am. So lucky. And I’ll keep you warm however I have to.”

***

The door bursts open without a knock.

I don’t flinch.

Wesley’s the only one who does that.

Even my Olivia knocks once before opening the door.

He strides in, eyes lit up like I’ve never seen, suit rumpled like he’s been pacing half the city instead of sitting behind a desk.

“The mob is fucking crazy!” he blurts.

A laugh rumbles in my chest, low and amused.

“Still spending time with the Amatos?”

He shakes his head, pacing across the rug before spinning on his heel to face me.

“You have no idea. I helped the mob.”

I arch a brow.

“We don’t get involved in that shit. You want to smear our name all over the media in blood and concrete?”

“Relax.” Wesley exhales hard and drops into the chair across from me, running a hand through his hair like he doesn’t know what to do with the energy crackling off him.