Page 58 of Mafia Obsession

Then one of his guards appears with my suitcase. I think about the boxes left behind in my closet. Is the rent even paid? Right now, it’s my life or some mementos. If David returns there, although Ares hinted that he’s hurt pretty badly, will he trash the place and destroy all I have left from my dad?

I can’t think about that now.

The jet door closes with a whoosh. The attendant locks us in, and then he disappears to a galley behind the cockpit. There’s no welcome message, no safety briefing, no telling me where lifejackets are.

The engines hum, and the attendant tells Ares we are clear for take-off. Next, we’re racing down a runway, picking up speed until the ground falls away.

During our climb into the sky, Ares removes his tie while keeping his gaze locked on mine the whole time.

When we level off, he reaches across the table. “Do you feel all right? Do you need Dramamine?”

“No.” I shake my head. “I feel fine.”

The attendant places a sparkling glass tumbler on the table and pours me a generous splash of whiskey.

“Drink.” Ares nudges the glass toward me.

I stare at it for a few seconds and then look up at Ares. “Can you ask me a little nicer? You've been ordering me around all night.”

He tilts his head. “It will calm you down, I promise.” The concern in his tone throws me more than the command did. “You’ve been through something traumatic tonight. Let me takecare of you until you feel like your old self.”

“I don’t think I’ll feel like my old self waking up on a Greek mafia king’s estate.” My voice comes out weaker than I like. “If you’re going for catatonic, I’ll be your perfect captive.”

“Guest,” he corrects.

I lift the glass but catch him watching me over the rim. “You’re not having any whiskey?”

“No. Drink.”

My fingers tighten around the glass. “You’re so arrogant.”

“I most certainly am.” He studies me and asks, “When did you eat last?”

I have to think about it. “I had something light earlier when I got home from work.”

“You ate alone?”

“David was out.” I take a sip and put the glass down. “According to you, he went to your club with a woman and spent my money.”

Ares holds back his reaction to that.

“You’re exhausted,” he finally says after a moment. “On your feet.”

I don’t move right away. My body feels a step behind everything.

“I said I’m fine.” I hold his gaze for half a breath longer than necessary.

“And I said, on your feet.” He holds out his hand. “Please. It’s what’s best for you.”

Shoulders slumped, I stand and wobble. I amexhausted. I was asleep before all this happened.

“I want you to get some rest.” Ares steers me to the rear of the cabin.

Past rows of seats and a few sofas is a cream-textured wall with raised molding. But then Ares presses on a panel, and it slides to the right.

My brain lags a second when I see the bed. It looks like a queen-size, and is made up with luxury linens and lots of pillows. I should be thrilled to sleep in a place so nice, but I immediately imagine Ares in this bed with another woman.

The spark of jealousy hits me deep and harsh.