STUCK WITH THE MAFIA BOSS.

HEY MAMA.

I shifted in his arms and opened my eyes. Realization hit me and satisfaction screamed from my body. This kid was good. The s*x had been perfect exactly what I needed. His morning face looked almost angelic.

I slid out of his sleepy grip and walked to the wardrobe opposite my bed to grab something to wear.

"Hey... good morning," he deep morning voice murmured behind me, voice rough with sleep.

I turned slightly, meeting his gaze for a heartbeat. "You should go home," I said, ignoring the warmth in his tone.

"Don't do anything," he said suddenly. "I'll kill Adams for you."

I froze. Of course he knew my husband's name. I shouldn't even be surprised anymore.

"Don't touch my husband," I said sharply. "And for the record, my target is Emilia."

Adams had broken me, yes but a small, foolish part of me still cared. I didn't want him dead. I just wanted him to feel what I felt.

He sat up, watching me like I was some kind of puzzle he had already solved. "You have no idea of who you're talking to, Sophia. I own you now. That means you're under my protection."

I laughed, loud and bitter. "Own?" Protection? Really? Killer or whatever you call yourself, listen last night was just s*x. That's all. I don't want you in my life, and you're not part of my plan. So get the f**k out of my house."

He stared at me, silent for a moment. The room felt heavier, like the air itself had thickened. His jaw clenched, but he didn't move. Then a faint, bitter smile flickered across his lips.

"Ouch," he said quietly, his voice dropping lower. "That stung, Sophia."

I crossed my arms and leaned against the wardrobe, refusing to meet his eyes. "Go home," I muttered.

He chuckled softly, but it wasn't warm. It was sharp and humorless.

"You think I'm some kid playing gangster? You think last night was a mistake? You have no idea who you let into your bed mama."

"I know exactly who I let into my bed," I snapped. "And I regret it already."

He tilted his head, studying me like I was some rare, dangerous animal. "Regret?" he repeated. "You didn't seem to regret it last night."

"That was last night. This is today. Today I want you gone."

His eyes narrowed. He stepped closer, closing the distance between us. I could smell his cologne again amongst all that drowned me into him last night, faint and musky, mixed with the sweat of sleep.

"I'm not just some random boy, Sophia. I'm the one who can fix this for you. Protect you. Take care of everything you're too scared to do yourself."

"I don't need your protection... and I'm not scared."

"You keep saying that," he murmured, his tone almost amused. "But the way you look at me says something else."

I held his gaze, even though my heart was beating too fast. "The only thing I see when I look at you and see is trouble."

He smirked. "Maybe trouble is exactly what you need."

"No," I said firmly, stepping back. "What I need is for you to leave my house."

He let out a slow breath, his smirk fading into something darker, heavier. His eyes softened just for a second before hardening again.

He stood up slowly, his expression unreadable. "Sophia, I don't repeat myself. But I'll make this clear, I lost you once. I'm not losing you again. You'll do what I say, as long as you belong to me."

Belong to him? Ridiculous.

He sounded serious too serious but I didn't care. I just wanted him gone.

When he finally left, the room felt heavier somehow. I realized I still hadn't gotten the luminol. Six days left.

That kid had wasted my time... or maybe not. I felt strangely energized, my mind sharper, the s*x was good. Now I just needed the luminol and everything would fall into place.

I grabbed my bag, ready to leave, but something caught my eye men outside, standing by the window like guards. I went to open the door, but it wouldn't budge.

"What the hell..." I pushed harder, but it was locked from outside.

Then one of the men spoke, calm and firm. "The Lord asked us not to let you out."

"The Lord?" I repeated, frowning. "Who the hell are you people?"

Sounded like some Jehovah witness unless they didn't look so.

No one answered.

"Open the damn door!" I shouted.

Silence.

I grabbed a heavy vase and slammed it against the weak door frame. It cracked, then gave way.

"How dare you?" I yelled at the man standing closest, his stance defensive.

"Ma'am, please. You need to go back inside."

"Why? Why are you keeping me in my own house?" My heart was pounding now.

Then it hit me. Oh my God. That kid. It had to be him.

I tried to push past them, but they were too strong. "Call your boss!" I screamed.

One of them exchanged a glance with another, and before I could react, something pressed over my nose a napkin, damp and sweet-smelling.

Everything went black.

When I woke, my head was pounding. I was back in my bed. The memories came back in flashes the men, the door, the napkin.

It was evening now.

"Luminol," I whispered under my breath, over and over, like it was the only word keeping me alive.

I got up and checked the door. It was fixed. The men were gone. Everything looked peaceful. Too peaceful.

Then I heard it, my husband's car reversing. I knew that sound anywhere.

I rushed to the kitchen window and there he was, stepping out, smiling, pulling Emilia into his arms.

I shut the curtain, adjusted my clothes, and went out. I needed that luminol nothing else mattered.

And then I saw him.

Leaning casually against his car parked right across my house, eyes fixed on my door. Like he'd been waiting all along.

"Hey, mama," he greeted, smiling like this was some kind of game.

"Oh, fuck..." I muttered under my breath.