Page 56 of His Cursed Heart

"You will listen to me carefully. After I'm done, you can say whatever you want. Understood?" I ask like she's a five-year old.

"Get your finger off me if you still want it attached to your hand." The feeling of her soft moving lips against my finger is divine.

I put distance between us and she raises her eyebrow like she's already bored.

This is gonna be harder than I thought.

"My father won't give me the position of Boss if we're not a real married couple."

"And that concerns me how?"

"What did I say about talking?" I say through my teeth. She rolls her eyes at me and I'm trying to keep my focus.

"In public, you will be the perfect wife for me. I don't care how much you hate in private, I can take it. But we are going to show my father how a lovely couple we are, Althea." And I will get to know you and your secrets.

Her hands tremble and I can feel her losing control.

"And before you say something, I will get you anything you want." And that stops her. "If you have a wish, I'll make it happen."

Althea looks at me for a couple of minutes.

Every human wants something so badly that they'll do anything to make it happen.

I wonder what my little wife wants.

Another painting room?

Freedom?

Her father dead?

What does she want?

"Anything?" Her voice is loud, but I can feel the uneasiness in it.

I nod my head and she bites her lower lip.

Blood rushes to my groin but I stay put.

"If I help you get the mafia, you will get me anything I want." She repeats.

Is she deaf now?

"Yes, Althea. I will get you anything you want."

"I want Vincent." She doesn't hesitate. I look at her with wide eyes.

I did not expect that.

"You want your brother?" I ask.

"Yes, I want him here, in Chicago, with me." Her eyes are conflicted. Her body looks so small.

"You want him as in to move here? Permanently." She nods.

Her strongest desire is Vincent. Her brother.

What's going on, Althea? What are you afraid of?