Out. Of. Her. Fucking. Mind.
“You don’t get to manhandle me, Phoenix,” she raged from the center of our bed.
“That’s where you’re wrong,” I informed her as I started removing my suit jacket. “I get to do whatever the fuck I want to you, Francesca.”
She came flying off the bed and stood there like a beautiful, raging storm. And the more anger she displayed, the more she cemented the fact that she was born to walk next to Luca, Ciro, and me. Not just anyone could end up with Luca, Ciro, or me. Though many women have tried over the years, it took someone special to stand by our sides. Especially, Luca. One day, soon, he was going to take over this entire fucking city and the woman who ended up with him was going to have to be made of some strong motherfucking shit.
Like Frankie.
“You lost those rights to me six years ago, Phoenix,” she raged. “Once upon a time you might have had that privilege, but that time has come and gone.”
My tie came flying off next. “That’s doubtful, seeing as how I’ve been taking care of you for the past six fucking years, Frankie,” I bit out. “I’d say that gives me all and every right to you and that delectable body of yours.”
Her eyes rounded in shock, now whether from my statement or my undressing, I wasn’t sure. “What the hell are you talking about?” she screeched. “How in the hell have you been taking care of me?”
I smirked. “Do you really believe you were so lucky that there just happened to be an apartment available to you that included all utilities for less than a grand a month, Frankie?” The second Luca’s henchman had mentioned the apartment he saw Frankie looking at, Luca had called me and I had gotten in touch with the rental manager and told him to rent it to Frankie for eight-hundred dollars a month and I would make up the rest, including paying for her utilities. He was also malleable enough that he managed to free up an apartment right across from hers for Elio, the guard Luca assigned her.
Her face went from astonishment to denial. “You’re lying,” she accused. “There’s no way…”
I kicked off my shoes as I informed her, “I’ve been paying your rent and utilities for six fucking years, Frankie.”
She started shaking her head. “That’s…that can’t be true,” she said, her voice betraying her emotions. It wasn’t anger anymore. It was denial. She wanted me to be lying. “That doesn’t make sense, Phoenix. Why would you do that?” Suddenly, she noticed me pulling my socks off. “What the hell are you doing?”
I stepped towards the dresser, taking off my holster vest, and placing it on top. Next came my shirt as I pulled it out of the waistband of my pants. “What does it look like I’m doing, Frankie,” I deadpanned. “I’m getting ready for bed.”
Her amber eyes were the size of the sun, but then she shook her head again, getting back to the subject at hand. “Why would you pay my rent?”
I tossed my shirt on the floor before stepping up to her in nothing but my slacks. I didn’t miss the way her pupils flared at the sight of my bare torso. The tattoos were new, and my body was sharper and more defined, but I knew she couldn’t miss her name blasted across my lower collarbone. I’d gotten it done the same week she had left Morgan City.
I stared down at the only female on the planet who’s ever brought me to my knees and roared in that pretty little face of hers. “Because you are mine, Frankie! You’ve always been mine, and I will always take care of you, no matter where the fuck you are!”
“No,” she whispered, her voice filled with anguish.
“Yes,” I countered.
Frankie took a step back and I followed her until the bed blocked any more progress. “You can’t just…own me, Phoenix,” she argued.
“It’s too fucking bad you feel that way, Frankie, because I already do own you.” I leaned down into her face. “I fucking own you, Francesca. I always have. And you can deny it until you’re blue in the fucking face, but it changes nothing. You’re not going back to Cedar Creek, and that’s final!”
“So, you just get to treat me however you want, and I’m just supposed to take it?” she asked, outraged.
Now she was really pissing me off. “Other than lying to you about the Benettis, I’ve never mistreated you, Frankie,” I snapped. “Do not ever accuse me of that again.”
“And the manhandling?” she asked as she slapped her hands on her hips.
My eyes raked up and down her body before I told her the truth. “Get used to it.” She let out a Broadway worthy gasp. “I plan on manhandling the fuck out of you, and don’t kid yourself, Francesca. You and I both know you love it when I put my hands on you.”
“Loved,” she had the nerve to say. “I used to love it.”
I was going to fucking kill her.
“It’s been six years, Phoenix,” she said haughtily. “How do you know my tastes haven’t changed?”
My hand wrapped around her throat and I held her trapped between the bed and my body. I squeeze with the image she tried to plant in my head, even though I knew better. Her hands flew up and wrapped around my forearm, trying to pull my hand off her throat. “Because had you spent one minute with another man, I would have buried him before he knew what he’d done wrong, Frankie,” I growled. “Not only did I pay your bills, but Luca had eyes on you every day, all fucking day, baby. So, don’t try to tell me different because I know better.”
Her chest was heaving, and her eyes were dilated,
