Page 91 of Vows of a Mobster

Once our plates were in front of us and the waiter was gone, I took her hand in mine and pressed a kiss onto her wrist, where her pulse beat. “I could have it painted lime green again.”

She chuckled. “Thank you, but no. The lime green stage wore off a few years afterwards. One day I’ll have it painted to a neutral color.”

“Tell me which color and I’ll have it done,” I demanded.

She gently pulled her hand out of mine and placed her napkin on her lap. “Thank you, Mateo. But that’s not necessary. Anyhow, that color is a good reminder to never let people control you.”

She didn’t want to think about me when she looked at her Jeep, I realized. And I was sure it was her subtle warning to me, that she’d never let me control her.

“I don’t want to control you, Bellissima,” I told her. And it was true, but I couldn’t deny that I craved to utterly possess her. I wanted to have all her love. The only ones I’d share it with were with her children, hopefully our children.

Her utensils in her hand, she raised her eyes and met my gaze. This woman would never let anyone control her. She had experienced freedom after her tightly controlled childhood and she would never go back to any cage. Tilting her head, she watched me pensively.

“What do you want then, Mateo?”

“You,” I told her simply. That much was true. I couldn’t tell her about my need to possess her, she’d run the other way. “I want you to give this a chance and see where it takes us.”

“You didn’t exactly give me a choice in the matter,” she commented as she cut into her food. She was right about that. I demanded she give herself to me. She gave me her body but now I wanted more. I was like a thirsty man that got a sip of fresh water and now I wanted it all. And yes, she was right. I didn’t give her a choice and I was a bastard for it. The moment my aunt stated she was unwed, I decided she was mine.

“Were you close to your parents?” Her question surprised me.

“Not particularly. My mother was excessively jealous and dramatic, and my father was weak and indulged her all the time to keep peace.” To this day thinking about all those tantrums she would throw, it caused distaste for marital life. “I was closer to my uncle, Marissa’s father.”

She threw me a sideway glance. “I’m sorry about your parents. It would seem we all have our crosses to bear.”

She was right. Although I couldn’t help but imagine her as a wife. She held herself with grace and dignity, I didn’t take her for a jealous woman. I had never been jealous before but she managed to ignite it within me.

“Mateo, I have to ask you something.” Her voice was serious. I leaned against the chair with my arm resting against her chair, my fingers lightly tracing her back.

“Ask me.” She seemed uncomfortable about asking whatever question was plaguing her.

“Since I’m no longer working for Marcus,” she started, her cheeks flushed. “Will my corporate health insurance lapse?”

She chewed her bottom lip nervously. She indicated yesterday she needed health insurance too.

“No, you’ll remain on the payroll.”

“If I’m not working, I shouldn’t be on the payroll but I do need the insurance. It was my main reason for the job.”

I had a sense there was something she wasn’t saying. But if health insurance was important to her, I’d ensure she was always covered.

“You and your daughter will maintain all benefits till you tell me you no longer need them.”

A little sigh of relief left her lips, and she rasped a quiet, “Thank you.” She seemed uncomfortable asking about her needs for the insurance.

“So can you sail?” I asked her, trying to ease her discomfort and change the subject.

“What makes you think I can?” There was suspicion in her eyes.

“You said you and your father talked about sailing the Atlantic,” I reminded her.

“Ah, that’s right.” Her eyes darted away, roaming the room that was reserved only for us. “Yes, I can sail. How about you?”

“Yes.”

“What do you usually do for hobbies anyhow?” I noticed how she tried to divert the topic away from her.

“I don’t have much time for hobbies,” I told her. “But usually sailing is my go-to for relaxation. We’ll have to get on the sailboat, maybe this weekend.”