“God,” she whispers. “What did he do?”
“He made so many changes to help me cope better.” My chin begins to quiver as I’m overcome with my love for him. I unlock my phone again and show her the app. “This way I can see he’sokay while he’s at work.” I give Raya’s fingers a squeeze. “Even though I fought Christiano, he was right. Everything is a million times better now that we’re married and he knows about my phobia. Honestly, he does more to alleviate my fears than the medication ever could.”
Just like with Christiano, Raya gets up and gives me a hug. “Jesus, Sienna. I wish you’d told me sooner. I could’ve helped.”
“I was scared you’d all lose respect for me,” I admit. “I didn’t want people to look at me differently.”
She pulls back and scowls. “I’m your best friend and love you to the moon and back. I’d never treat you differently, no matter what.”
“I know, but I couldn’t help feeling that way. You’re all so strong, and then there’s me, who freezes in the face of danger and can’t handle the thought of losing a loved one. I felt weak.”
“You’re not weak, you just love and feel things more intensely. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
I hug her again and whisper, “Thanks for saying that.”
When we pull apart a few seconds later, she sits down again and wags her eyebrows at me. “Now tell me about married life. Are you in love? Does Christiano spoil you rotten?” She scrunches her nose, then whispers as if he’s near and she doesn’t want him to hear. “What’s it like living with him?”
Laughter bursts from me. “I’ve loved Christiano for close to a decade, Raya. I never stopped, and yes, I feel spoiled rotten. He’s so sweet and caring, and he makes me feel special.”
She lets out a snort. “Those are words I never thought I’d hear.”
“Oh, hush.”
“Less than a month ago, you were complaining about him, and now you’re sitting across from me, swooning,” she says with a teasing tone, but then her expression grows serious. “I’m really happy for you, my friend.”
“Thanks.” Just as I pick up a sandwich, my phone buzzes, and I quickly read the message.
Christiano: Love hearing you laugh, and those sandwiches look good. Eat.
“Oh my God,” I gasp. “I forgot about the cameras.”
“Cameras?”
I point to the one by the corner of the ceiling. “Christiano is watching.”
Raya’s eyes widen, then she shrieks, “No! This is our girl time. Go work or kill someone and give us privacy.”
My phone vibrates again.
Tell Raya I only take orders from you.
Chuckling, I show her the text, and she lets out a groan.
I smile sweetly at the camera. “Switch off the camera in the kitchen, please.”
Off. Enjoy your time with Raya. Love you, my queen.
I stare at the words with a stupidly in love smile on my face.
“What did he say?” Raya asks.
I show her the screen again. “He called me his queen.”
I never thought I’d be worthy of that title, but after the past two weeks of being married to Christiano, he’s shown me in so many ways that I’m the only one he wants, phobia and all.
Setting the device down, I pick up a sandwich, and as we eat, I ask, “How are things with you?”
“Same as always. Georgi’s going to Europe to meet with the leader of the Bulgarian mafia, so I’m working my ass off to get everything ready.”
