All Chapters of Through Smoke and Steel: A Mafia Romance: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

❄︎ Viktor ❄︎“What the fuck was that?”I held my trembling wife against me at the shot, my earpiece buzzing in my ear with a response from Jacques.“A lone shooter, but he’s been terminated, boss. It’s under control.”After running a quick confirmation check with the rest of my men, I glanced down at Rosa, easing my grip on her shoulder.“You’re okay. Let’s go.”Pulling up her jeans, damp with our sweat and pleasure, she looked at me with wide eyes, shaken from the bang.My fists clenched at not being able to handle the shooter myself for scaring her and potentially causing her harm.“What was that?” she asked, arms coming around my side.I froze at the contact. This was one of the few times she leaned into me of her own accord that didn’t precede sex, and I’d be damned if I say I didn’t enjoy her touch.I wrapped one arm around her shoulders to press her further into me. “We’re about to find out.”The splayed body of a middle-aged man, facial features mashed into his skull, bled out

❦ Rosalind ❦I awoke cradled in a warm cocoon. I almost didn’t want to open my eyes, to preserve the homely feel of the musky-scented pillow under my head.Then the memories rushed in.The restaurant.My ignorant walk into danger.Viktor.Shooting up with a gasp, my head struck a hard edge, and a curse sputtered from above.“Cazzo!” came a growl. I looked up to see Viktor rubbing his chin with a glare as I scrambled away from him. “What the hell?”“Stay away!” I screamed, catching him in the side with a kick. I pulled away and pressed into the arm of the couch we were on. “Don’t even dare touch me!”He drew a hand down his face. “Dio, aiutami.”“Don’t even bother! God won’t bother with you. Traitor,” I snapped.Viktor’s face darkened. I gasped, my heart pounding as he grabbed my ankles before I could lower them to the floor.“I am not going to hurt you. Get a hold of yourself.”I blinked at his stern voice.A tingle spread up my ankles where his hands gripped me like his life depende

❄︎ Viktor ❄︎The urge to break something was all-encompassing.The need buzzed underneath my skin like a vengeful hornet.But what gain was to be had from mindlessly breaking things? Things that could not feel, not scream?The leggy blonde pressing her inflated tits into my arm at the bar seemed like a good prospect. But I couldn’t bring myself to take her somewhere private for fear of disappointment.The only lips I wanted to nip between mine belonged to an especially stubborn heiress. One I’d decided to give some much-needed space before I did something I’d regret. Like chain her to the floor of my bedroom and renovate the house into a hamster cage for her to live the rest of her days.“You know, I don’t have a gag reflex,” the blonde purred. “I want to feel your balls on my chin and your cock head knocking on the back of my throat, big boy.”I caught the wandering hand headed for my crotch, meeting her half-lidded gaze with my icy glare.“I’m sure you can find someone else interest

❦ Rosalind ❦ I could’ve pretended that the cashier’s scrunched-up nose was an unconscious response to her stressful day, and not to my stench.I spent my days by Viktor’s side, his palm in mine, my thumb tracing soft circles I hoped he could feel and know he wasn’t alone.I watched him hour after hour, waiting for the barest twitch or movement to let me know he was awake.At night, Adrian took over from me, keeping watch along with a rotation of bodyguards and loyal soldatos.Six days after his accident, I stood in the hospital store for the first time, my selection of snacks and drinks spread out for her to bag.The cafeteria ushered the smell of coffee and reheated food. It was a welcome break from the sharp hospital smell of the patient wings.Dressed in a food and snot-stained sweatshirt, Viktor’s joggers tied snug at my waist, I wasn’t exactly the picture of sanity.My one thick braid was frizzy and probably smelled worse than I thought.Well, if she was uncomfortable with my st

❦ Rosalind ❦I stood naked in the bathroom, cool water running over my face.If someone asked me to define my relationship with Viktor, I wouldn’t know where to start.It was a one-sided emotional attraction at best. The physical attraction and intimacy went both ways, obviously.But I guess my biggest fear was surrendering so easily that he would have gotten bored of the chase.I’d wanted him to keep on chasing even while I erected those walls of distrust toward him, indecisiveness, and loyalty to my family name.I’d wanted him to give me a reason to sacrifice my father’s wrath, even in death, to choose him. To choose us, whatever we were.I guess my wish came true in the end.He had no recollection of me.All the possessiveness and hate. All the rage-fueled fucks and the occasional joviality I treasured.Gone.He saw the wedding band and knew I was his wife. But he didn’t know me, not anymore.I twisted the diamond ring on my finger.I should have been ecstatic. Relieved.But I felt