Mafia's Little Dove

– The cl

ween her fingers. The dim glow from the single lamp in the corner cast lo

d pl

py. But all she could feel was exhaustion pressing d

hone

screen. A notific

money had been wi

r temple. The money was a relief-a blessing, really. But what trul

,0

Mont

c face, the cruel edge to his mouth, the way he had barely look

nger burned be

he think

hrown it back at him. She should have told h

he ha

n, she knew she

furiated he

the door broke thr

. She wasn't e

ll living room. As she reached the door, she

her

e peeked throu

omach

ct

n one hand, a box of chocolates in the other. The pic

r eyes and pulle

ed, stepping forward

without a word

mooth, practiced.

ing her arms as he shu

he table. "I know you wanted me there today, and

ame excuse,

dn't r

ng her arms, rubbing them gently.

rds would have soothed her. A time

k – Two

sky painted in shades of orange and gold. Sienna had buried her face in her

ed his arms around h

d whispered, his lips brushing her

ke a lifeline, letting them anc

e had been h

had believed he

es

lit apartment, she wondered

k of his neck. "Look, I also c

stomach

he asked, her

" he said, stepping back, slipping into salesman mode. "It's a

lowed. "

y $2

ed. "Hector, I ju

vious thing in the world. "It's perfect timing

r head. "I have

his jaw tightening. "Why

ed through he

g. "I'm trying to build something! Marry you, give

did this-made her feel guil

business ideas," she whispe

me is di

tom lip, doubt pressi

ice dropped, his

uttered. "I knew you

eath c

ntinued, shaking his head. "All your talk

aid softly. "Th

ut a bitter laugh. "Me choosing you when

it like a p

, her pulse roar

You're not exactly-" He trailed off, shrugging like he hadn't just shattered her. "Other men would

g in her

self, trying to hold in the pain, the r

er voice barely audible. "

across his face-he kne

sighed. "Come on, baby. You k

king away the sting in he

rned instantly

inside her

fight anymore.

rmured. "But I

e said smoothly, lea

over her waist, b

ack, frowning.

her head

ve been together for four years. Yo

s about me,"

hought you'd g

im then, really

ealized s

the man who had once held her on the

"Whatever. I'm

o the bedroom, shuttin

ms wrapped around herself, holding

she ende

let herself

s she still af