Chapter 21 – Sage #2
“Chase was normal when we first met. He’d constantly compliment me, tell me how much he loved my body.
Now that I think about it, he was definitely love bombing me.
Then he’d slowly spew off micro-aggressions about my weight, tearing down all that work I did to build up my self-confidence.
He used the fact that I’d never had a long-term relationship and convinced me that it was because of my wild nature, and no one could keep up with me like he could.
Then it was my appearance... no one wants to bring a girl who looks like you home to their parents.
I think I was excited about the idea of Chase—this beautiful rocker bad boy who gave me attention—that I believed his words.
It got to a point that I didn’t realize he was controlling me until it was too late, and I was too scared to leave him.
“When he started dealing drugs, that was my sign to get out of the abusive marriage. I wanted nothing to do with him so I changed my name and moved back to the city where I figured it would be too big for him to find me, but I didn’t account for my parents.
Even though he never let me visit them, they were easy to track down. ”
Elias brings our joined hands up to his mouth and kisses my knuckles.
“I won't let anything happen to them. To you.”
The server drops off our drinks and Elias orders another round. I take a big gulp of my booze and close my eyes.
Because I’m about to go deep.
“I know you’ll protect me, but Elias, what does my future with you look like? Will I always be in danger? Will I always need protection? Will I always be looking over my shoulder? Will my parents always need to be hiding?”
“Sage—”
“I have to work. I have to do something. I can’t just be the mob boss’s trophy girlfriend. I will lose my freaking mind. But I’m about to turn thirty-three, and I have no idea what I want to do with my life. ”
He sighs, and I expect him to appear hurt or worried by my words.
He’s not.
If anything, he’s determined.
“I promise you this will all be over soon. I will find Chase, and we’re so close to connecting Lenetti to the mob wives’ murders and taking down the Empire.
I’m going to turn this city around, and I need you to be by my side, but you’ll never be a trophy.
You’re not someone I can win. You’re someone I earn.
You’re someone who will make me stronger.
And you do not hesitate to take me down a few notches.
So, I will never expect you to ‘just be the mob boss’s trophy.
’ I want you to be my partner, but not as my girlfriend. As my wife. ”
“What?” The word barely comes out a whisper, and he must not have heard it. Or maybe he’s ignoring the shock on my face because he keeps talking.
“What do you enjoy doing?”
Fuck.
How the hell can I function after he just laid into me with that speech? And to say he wants me as his wife? I know he’s said shit like that before, but I honestly thought he was joking or just saying it to push my buttons.
It’s fine.
This is fine.
Answer his question, Sage.
“I um... I think I’m pretty good at planning parties. I’ve worked at a few bars where they let me handle events or they’d let me book bands.”
He nods and when he opens his mouth to say something, the karaoke DJ calls my name.
I numbly stand.
“I’m... I’m going to sing now.”
Elias stands and follows me to the front where I get the mic, but he keeps his distance. Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance starts playing, and I’ve sang the song enough to mindlessly sing the lyrics while I let my thoughts run wild.
Marriage?
Elias’s wife ?
It’s... too soon.
Right?
I mean, we met months ago, sure, but we’ve only really been spending a lot of time together recently.
But on the other hand, if we got married, he’d protect me. Would I be, like, some powerful mafia queen or something?
Reine.
His queen.
He’d known from the moment we met, hasn’t he?
That should terrify me, instead, it’s endearing because the scary, dangerous mafia boss was enchanted by the mess of a divorcee that I am .
The crowd’s amped up, and they scream out the chorus with me, pulling me from my thoughts. I can’t help locking eyes with Elias at the part of the song about wanting his love and revenge.
Because it’s true.
I want him.
All of him.
The drama.
The ugly.
The horror.
The psycho.
The bad.
The song ends to cheers, and I slowly make my way through the crowd back to where Elias and I were sitting. He beat me there and waits, holding his drink and that stupid knowing smirk on his face.
“So...” He stares at me over the top of the glass of whiskey. “Do you want my bad romance?”
God. I can’t take him seriously sometimes.
He wiggles his brows at me and takes a drink before setting the glass down.
I burst out laughing and cup his face in my hands to kiss him. The kiss deepens and suddenly we’re in the corner making out, not even caring about everyone around us.
But there was a reason I brought him to karaoke tonight.
He’s going to sing too .
He lets out a grunt and pouts when I break off the kiss. I pat his chest.
“You’re next.”
That frightened look from when we entered the bar returns.
“No. That’s okay. I’m fine. I don’t need to... um... sing.”
“Are you flustered?”
I can’t help the amusement in my voice.
“I don’t get flustered.”
“You’re flustered now. Why?”
“Because I can’t sing.”
“No one at karaoke can sing.”
“You can.”
I wave off his words and nod my head toward the man singing Don’t Stop Believin’ right now.
“This guy is horrible, but he’s cute and a bit charming. Just use your good looks and everyone will love you.”