MIKAIL
She jumps into my arms, squealing. Her lithe body pressed against mine short-circuiting my brain—forgetting that we’re exposed and caring even less.
My instinct to roar that this woman is mine overrides my rationality. The beast growls with the need to possess, claim her as mine. Tearing into the jugular of anyone who even comes close to separating me from what’s mine.
“Really?” she asks, the glee in her voice unmistakable.
I place a soft kiss on her forehead and give her ass a light squeeze. “Really.”
It’s then she notices she’s wrapped around me like a koala. She slips out of my arms, moving to swim away.
I catch her by her elbow, holding her in place. “Don’t worry.”
She chews on her bottom lip. “But…”
“No buts,” I say, my tone firm.
She doesn’t seem convinced but nods and climbs out.
The water glides down her hourglass body, creating an instant thirst. You just had her, I remind myself, but it doesn’t help much. I am crazy about her, addicted to the point ofobsession. I clench my hands at my sides, trying to tame the untamable.
You’ll have her again soon enough.The thought is flimsy compared to this craving for her infecting my blood.
Putting on a crochet dress, she dashes inside while I swim a few laps, trying to come up with a solution that won’t end in a bloodbath.
Living our love story in the dark feels wrong. This is not a fucking illicit affair. I refuse to hide her, condemning us to a life of even more secrets.
If telling the truth will call down doom, then so be it.
I get out and dry myself with her towel before I dress and go inside in search of her.
Climbing two stairs at a time, I find her in the walk-in closet on her knees, chaos surrounding her.
“I don’t know what to take with me,” she huffs, appearing overwhelmed.
I swipe a hand through the air. “Leave it. I’ll buy you a new wardrobe there.”
She shakes her head, a radiant smile lighting up her face. “I already have enough.”
I live for her smiles. As much as I love spoiling her, she loves it just as much.
I arch a brow. “That wasn’t up for discussion,” I say, yanking open the drawer to grab her passport and slip it in my slacks pocket.
She changes into an A-line mini dress that showcases her curves, and with my palm on her back, I guide her out.
She worries her lip through her teeth all the way downstairs.
I can’t stand when something bothers her, pinning her with an intent stare. “I’ll take care of it. You don’t owe an explanation to anyone.”
“It doesn’t work like that, Mika. We’re in this together.”
I refuse to let her face the consequences of my actions, but we’re not there yet. I’d deceive and maim with zero remorse. Anything to erase that worried look on her face. Nothing will disturb her peace. Not after years where I had to watch her become a shadow, a silent mouse trapped in a cage of her own making—distrustful, alone.
It has fucking killed me witnessing the haunted expression she wore daily.
I’ll snap Enzo’s neck myself if he threatens what we have wanted most. For her to overcome that traumatic event.
Guilt skins my flesh, aware that what she has longed for most is me. I should have given her what she desired. But I was terrified it would give her even more reason to live in her gilded cage. Then, my sister burst into our lives, threatening to uproot our foundation. It was Calla who drove Dahlia out of her shell.
