Scarlett Mila Marino

The thought has been running circles in my head for days. Ever since we did that mission with Moretti.
The problem is, I don't know how Rowan will react. But I need to ask him. I want more than to just sit in this mansion, doing nothing.
I want to be a part of his team.

I've always been good at fighting. It's one of the few things in life that makes sense to me. My body knows how to hit, move, how to defend.

I take a deep breath and stand up from the couch. It's now or never.
I find Rowan in his office. As usual, surrounded by papers and looking more frustrated than usual.

"Rowan," I say stepping into the room.

He glances up. "What happened, Mila?" He asks.

I swallow the lump in my throat and cross my arms. "I want in." I say.

He frowns, putting down the paper he's been holding. "What do you mean?" He asks confused.

"I want to join your mafia. To be a part of your team." I say.

For a moment he just stares at me, like he's trying to figure out if I'm joking. "You're serious?" He asks leaning back in his chair.

"Dead serious." I say.

He shakes his head, rubbing his temple. "Love, this isn't a game. You don't just join the mafia because you're bored." He says.

"I'm not bored." I snap, stepping closer to his desk. "I can handle myself, and you know it. I want...I want to make change. To be useful." I say.

Rowan studies me for a long moment. "And you think you're cut out for this life? To follow my orders, to be part of what I do?" He asks.

"Yes. I'll prove it to you." I say without hesitation.

His gaze darkens, like he's weighing something heavy in his mind. He stands up from his desk, moving toward me slowly. "You have no idea of what you're asking for." He says.

"I know exactly what I'm asking for. I can be useful, Rowan." I insist, standing my ground.

He stops in front of me, his eyes boring into mine with that intense, unyielding stare of his. "And what if you get hurt?" He asks as if he cares. He's not supposed to say stuff like this. He's not supposed to care for me at all. I can take care of myself.

"I won't." I say, lifting my chin. "And even if I do, I'll deal with it." I add.

For a moment neither of us says anything. I can see the wheels turning in his head, the hesitation. Then finally, he lets out a breath, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. One chance. But if you screw up, you're out." He says.

Ha! Yes.

A surge of excitement floods through me, and I nod quickly. "I won't screw up."

He walks back to his desk. "My father is hosting a party tomorrow. We'll have to be there and pretend..." Rowan says after a moment.

I nod. "I'm really good at that." I say laughing a little.

"Your family is invited too." He adds and I freeze. Shit. I don't want my father there. Last time went really bad.

I swallow the lump in my throat. "I'll be ready." I say.

***

The night of the party comes too quickly. I walk into the grand room with Rowan at my side, his hand resting on my lower back.

The room is crowded with people, men in expensive suits and women in glittering gowns.

I spot Judie and run to greet her. "Judie!" I yell out of happiness. She runs up to me. I hug her so tight, as if I haven't seen her in years.
I want to cry, want to tell her everything, but don't get to do that as my father approaches us.

I pull back from Judie and look at dad.
"Stop making a scene. You're a wife now Scarlett, act like it." He says.

I don't respond. Where did Rowan go.

"You can't run from your husband, get back to him before I do something stupid." Father says.
I look at Judie.

"I just wanted to say hi to Judie." I say keeping my head down.

"Haven't the Marino's thought you to not speak unless your husband tells you to." He spits.

I shut my mouth before any of this escalates.
"Get back to your husband." He warns.

I glance at Judie who is looking at me. She looks devastated. We have so much to talk about. So much she doesn't know. And now I have to walk away.

I move to find Rowan. Like my father ordered me to. I hate that man.

I look around, trying to find him.
There he...is. Surrounded by a group of women.
They giggle, leaning in too close, their eyes wide with admiration and...lust. I stand stiffly at the edge of the room, my fists clenching as I watch them get all over him.
They're hanging onto his every word, touching his arm, laughing at things I know aren't funny. I can feel something hot and sharp prickling under my skin.

And then I see it. Rowan's watching me. He knows I'm looking. Is he trying to make me...jealous. Wait. Am I jealous?

I shouldn't feel it. It's all supposed to be fake. But seeing all those women all over him, something inside me snaps. I'm his wife... at least that's what everyone here is supposed to believe.

He knows what he's doing and it's working. Fuck.

Before I can think I straighten my shoulders and stride toward him. The group of women sitting at his table doesn't notice me at first, too busy drooling over him.
Then I do something bold. Something I can't believe I'm actually doing.

God if it wasn't obvious before, it for sure is now. I'm so fucking jealous. I don't want other woman touching him.

Without saying a word, I slide onto Rowan's lap. Wrapping one arm around his neck.
His body tenses beneath me. The girls around the table falls silent. Their smiles fading, annoyance flickers in their eyes.

"I know what you're doing, stop it right now." I whisper to him. Fuck I hate that he knows how jealous I am.

"Excuse me ladies, my wife and I need a moment alone." He says, his eyes still on me.

Rowan's arm snakes around my waist, pulling me closer. I can feel the heat of his body through his suit. And god...his muscles tense beneath my touch. He smells like expensive cologne and something else, something that's purely him. My pulse quickens.

The woman murmuring a few awkward excuses before leaving. Clearly irritated.  I let out a small breath of victory. Rowan's fingers press into my sides and his breath quickens slightly.

Oh no.

I shift slightly on his lap, and I can feel it... the hardness of him beneath me. Reacting.
My face burns, and I sit completely still. This was supposed to be about making those girls leave, not...this.

Oh god no. This can't happen. Not now.

I try to move a little to make it more comfortable for both of us. Rowan growls. "Stop moving." He says.

His hands tighten around my waist, his grip firm. I need to get up. As I make a move to stand up, he pulls me right back down. "Don't..." he says.

I freeze. Glancing at him. "What are you..."

He cuts me off. "I need a minute." He say's through clenched teeth, his jaw tight as if he's trying to regain control.

My eyes widen, and my heart stutters. This is...ridiculous. I don't know whether to laugh or scream. "You've got to be kidding me." I say but there's a nervous edge to my voice.

"You shouldn't have done that, Mila." Rowan says.

"Well you shouldn't test me." I say back.

"I didn't think you'd actually get jealous." He says with a proud smirk.
I really want to punch him.

"I'm not...jealous." I say even though we both know it's a lie.

"What do you call this then?" He says not letting it go.

"It's an...act. For the people." I say.

Rowan doesn't respond to that, knowing it's a lie.
I can feel every inch of him against me, and my body reacts to it. The heat spreading through me, like a pull toward him.
What is happening?

I bite my lip, trying to ignore the growing tension between us, but it's impossible.

I feel his breath hot on my neck. I can't breathe. I need to get away from him before I do something stupid.

"Rowan..." I start to say, but then he loosens his grip on me. His hands sliding from my waist.

He doesn't say anything just lets me stand up.

"I...I need some fresh air." I say barley able to breathe. I quickly get outside. Grabbing the nearest wall, steadying myself on it.

What the fuck just happened. And why am I reacting to it. Why is my body reacting to it. This is wrong. It's not supposed to happen.
We hate each other. That was our agreement.

And now I feel something...more.

I have really good things coming...Hope you liked this one!!!