THE MAFIA’S ORPHAN WIFE

THE JEALOUSY

The board meeting ran long.

Lanny heard the muffled voices through the door. Angry. Demanding.

She was halfway through a magazine when the door slammed open.

Adrian. Tie loosened. Eyes furious.

"Let’s go."

"What happened?"

"They questioned you."

Lanny stood. "Me?"

"They called you a liability. A gold digger. Said you’re distracting me."

Lanny’s chest went tight. "And what did you say?"

Adrian walked to her. Close. "I said if anyone touches you, talks about you, or looks at you wrong, they answer to me."

The air in the room shifted. His voice wasn’t loud. It was worse. It was final.

Lanny blinked. "You didn’t."

"I did." He held out his hand. "Come on."

She took it. His hand was warm. Too warm. It made her forget for a second that this was supposed to be fake.

They walked out together. Past the entire board. No one said a word. The silence was louder than any argument.

In the elevator, Lanny whispered, "Thank you."

"Don’t."

"Why?"

"Because I’m not doing it for you." He looked at the numbers going down. "I’m doing it for me."

Lanny nodded but didn’t believe him. She’d seen the way his jaw clenched when they said her name.

That night, Adrian told her to dress up.

"Where are we going?" Lanny asked, in a new navy dress. It fit this time. It felt like armor.

"Dinner. With my mother."

Lanny froze. "Your mother? Adrian, I can’t—"

"You can." He adjusted her zipper from behind. His fingers didn’t linger. But they didn’t need to. Her whole back burned. "Play the part."

Isabella Virelli was elegant. Sharp. She looked at Lanny like she was inspecting a painting.

"So," Isabella said over wine. "You’re the girl."

"Yes, ma’am."

"Call me Isabella." A pause. "Adrian never brings anyone to dinner."

Adrian cut his steak. "She’s here because she’s with me."

"Is she?" Isabella’s eyes were knowing. She saw too much.

Lanny’s heart pounded. Lie. It’s a lie.

"Yes," Lanny said. The word surprised her. "I am."

Dinner was a test. Every question, every glance. Lanny answered with a steady voice she didn’t feel.

On the drive home, Lanny said, "She likes me."

"She likes that you’re not scared of me," Adrian replied.

"Are you scared of you?"

"Every day."

Lanny looked out the window. In public. Protection.

The line was getting blurry. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to find it again.