Page 20 of The Mafia Husband's Loveless Marriage

"That's too bad."

"Why?"

"Because you're asking for punishment for no reason."

And that had been her only warning before Mykos had taken her to the elevator, his hand tight around hers, walking so fast she had to half-run to keep up. He hit the Emergency Stop button the moment the doors closed, and then he used an app on his phone to switch off the security cameras. All of this took him maybe five seconds, and the whole time, Maika was standing there with her back against the elevator wall, her heart in her throat, watching her husband dismantle the world's surveillance systems with the same calm efficiency other men used to check the weather.

And then his phone was in his pocket and his hands were on her, and she forgot what elevators were for, because they were certainly not designed for what came next.

Even now, Maika couldn't keep her toes from curling whenever she recalled that particular...incident. While coming out of the elevator wasn't something she'd describe as a walk of shame, it was also clear that everyone around them knew what they had been up to. She was flushed and breathless, her blouse untucked, and Mykos hadn't even bothered to fix his hair.

And it was also kinda cute but embarrassing with how Mykos, whom everyone had always feared and thought heartless...

He had taken things completely in stride, still holding her hand as they walked in full view of everyone. It was as if he was saying,'yes, this is my wife, and we can't keep our hands off each other.'

His receptionist had very determinedly looked at her computer screen. His assistant had developed a sudden fascination with the ceiling. And Maika had wanted the floor to open up and swallow her, but Mykos's hand was warm around hers, and there was the faintest curve at the corner of his mouth, and she thought:he's proud of this. He wants them to see.

Honestly, the way Mykos was acting, when she thought about it...

Am I imagining things, God?

Or is it possible that Mykos has also fallen in love?

With me?

And the moment she started thinking that way, it was impossible to unthink.

Impossible to forget.

And that was how one day the words simply slipped out.

They were in bed, tangled together, her head on his chest, his fingers tracing something on her shoulder. Slow, absentminded lines, like he was writing. She was half-asleep, warm, safe, her body still humming from an hour ago, and then...

"I love you."

He stiffened. She froze. But there was no taking back words that had already been spoken.

Oh God, what do I do?

She waited for him to say something.

But he didn't.

Her heart started pounding.

And so did his.

But she just couldn't tell if their hearts were beating to the same melody.

Help me, God.

I'm so scared.

I think I just ruined everything.

And she was unfortunately...right.

WHEN SHE WOKE UP, THEbed was empty. But when she reached for his pillow, there wasn't any note waiting for her.