Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 84342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 84342 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 422(@200wpm)___ 337(@250wpm)___ 281(@300wpm)
I let her use my mat as I turn off YouTube and start to ad lib a little routine. “Just breathe and stretch, nice and easy.” I figure we’ll keep it very basic, just a little bit of stretching.
“Back when I lived with my papa, I used to do yoga all the time. I’d hide out in the garden and pretend like I was alone.” She smiles a little wistfully like she’s remembering something bittersweet.
“Where did you grow up?”
“Around here, but then I had to go back to Mexico for a long time.” She says it like that was some distant tragedy. “But now I’m here again with Casso.”
“I haven’t met your husband yet.”
She waves a hand as we come out of a pose. “Don’t worry about him, he’s always so busy.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ll introduce him soon. All the boys are like that though, constantly running around, running around, when really they’re doing nothing. Even Fynn, and he can’t run anymore.” She laughs at her own joke.
“How do you stand it?” I ask and instantly regret saying that. Olivia is married to Casso, which means she clearly loves him and likes being here. I shouldn’t try to commiserate with her about how miserable Fynn’s making my life so far.
“You’ll get used to them.” She grins at me though and brushes her hair over her shoulder. “The people in this family are a lot, I know, but they mean well. Fynn’s in a tough spot at the moment and everyone appreciates what you’re doing. It can’t be easy coming to live in this strange house with all these people around.”
Guards, staff, housekeepers, cooks, and more—she’s not kidding, it’s like the house is both empty and packed full all at once.
“It’s not easy, but I’ll manage. I don’t mean to complain, honestly. Fynn made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, so here I am.”
Olivia laughs at my Godfather reference. “Truthfully, Fynn’s a good man They all are. Except they expect a certain kind of… deference.” She shakes her head from side to side. “You’ll get used to that too.”
I feel myself blushing again as I think about Fynn pulling me over him and touching my leg and ass and spanking me hard like he owns me. I cover my discomfort by taking us through a couple simpler poses. When we’re done, I have a good sweat going, and Olivia seems refreshed.
“I’m headed down to the water,” she says. “You want to come sit with me?”
“In a little bit. I should shower off and prep for the second session.”
“Sounds good.” She sighs and pulls her cover-up back on, grumbling about being pregnant. “You’ll meet Elise soon too, by the way. You’ll like her. She’s back in Tuscany for a couple weeks but she’ll be home soon.”
“Elise? Is she another Bruno?”
“The former Don’s wife. It’s hard to describe her relationship to everyone now. I think she’s just… part of the family.” Olivia shrugs and laughs. “She’s a character. You’ll really like her. Anyway, thanks for the yoga, I feel great.”
“Any time. Seriously, I’m happy to have the company.”
She waves and heads to the pool. I watch her go, smiling to myself. It must be nice to have a family like this with so many people. For so long, it’s been just me and my mom against the world, but this mafia family has multiple siblings, their spouses, staff, friends, whatever—there are so many people. It’s hard to feel lonely here, even though I’m alone and these people are total strangers. I can understand how this kind of family might seem seductive though, and I find myself wanting to fit in—at least with Olivia and Karah. I smile down at Olivia as she settles in a lounge chair then grab my stuff and sneak inside with my laptop and my mat under my arm, somewhat distracted and feeling good. I’m about to hurry up the steps when someone says my name.
I look over—and there he is.
Fynn, standing in the shadows. A chill goes down my spine as he stares at me intently, eyes roaming my body. I really should’ve gotten changed or done this routine my room alone. I don’t know what the hell I was thinking.
But he only shuffles closer. “I’d be careful with Olivia, if I were you.”
I pull back in surprise. “Excuse me?”
“She is the Don’s wife, and he’s extremely protective, especially with her carrying his child. And remember, you’re mine, Mirella. You work for me.”
I clench my jaw. “So I can’t be friends with her? All because you’re a control freak? You’re just trying to isolate me.”
He laughs and walks away. I don’t know what the hell that’s all about, so I storm up to my room in a frustrated huff to prep for another torturous hour with that self-centered psychopath.