Page 52 of The Mafia's Bride

“I’d rather fuck your cousin,” I mutter over his thumb.

He shoves me away, winking once. “Fine. This is on you now, Sloane. You get nothing from me. Go shower and go to sleep.” He steps away, grabbing that infuriating jacket again.

“You’re not coming to bed?” He made me move my meager possessions into this large suite, the least he could do is stay here with me. That was the point of this, wasn’t it?

That smile grows, edged with victory. “No, menace. I have work to do. And frankly, I don’t trust myself with you tonight.”

A curl of pleasure unfurls inside my belly, and I rub my legs together absently.

“Don’t,” he warns, narrowing his eyes. “Don’t you fucking dare think about touching that pussy without me here. You’ll come when you’re ready to admit what I want. Not a moment sooner.”

I cross my arms, daring him to say more, but he doesn’t. Just leaves. Leaving me in this giant room alone, body hurting from his denial.

“Fuck this.” I seethe, then slide off toward the bathroom. A hot shower and some self-care are exactly what I need.

20

SLOANE

The next morning, I wake up to my confiscated cell phone beside me on the table and Lex’s side completely unruffled.

He never came back. I tried to find my release in the shower multiple times, until the hot water turned freezing, but nothing compared. It seems Lex broke my body so I could only come with his touch. And I fuckinghatehim for that.

I hate this whole situation. I hate my lack of self-control around him, how my anger gets me into trouble with him. How my anger doesn’t affect him. I’m messing upscrewing upmy marriage.

Picking up my cell, I see it’s still early and I have a text from the bastard.

Lex: I’ve arranged for the rest of your things to be brought to our home.

I growl under my breath, eyes hazy from sleep. I don’t miss the ‘our’ part of that text. I respond, ignoring the dozen or so missed ones from Danica.

Me: This isn’t my home. I’m not staying here so it’s pointless to move it all.

Right away he responds.

Lex: You are my wife. This is your home. I own you entirely, little menace. Your items will be there before noon.

Before I can toss my phone into the wall, he sends another text.

Lex: And don’t even think of texting that girlfriend of yours. If you listen, maybe I’ll be in a generous mood when I return tonight.

I send him the middle finger emoji and promptly open the chain from Danica.

She texted me numerous times trying to locate me since we last saw each other, but that was weeks ago. The last one came in just last night. A drunken selfie at a local bar, asking me if I was coming.

At this point, I’m just happy to have someone to cause chaos with. Even if it’s with her.

I send her a quick reply, letting her know I’m alive.

Lex thought he could own me and maybe my body is on board. But I’m certainly not.

Promptly at noon,various large cardboard boxes of my items were delivered to the De Luca compound, the movers wordlessly bringing everything to Lex’s room. Almost like they were instructed not to speak to me or be deterred by me.

It would be just like my husband to do it.

Just like everyone in this house, no one speaks to me. Maria tries friendly chatter, and Nico always gives me a warm smile, but no one really talks to me. Just like when Pops was alive.

It was always easier to ignore the mess I was. He would shove me away, ignore me, neglect me.