He's Mine - How to 'illegally' tell people HE's MINE in 99 ways

Chapter 9

"Fear fuels power but weakens love, sometimes."

~~~

"I need time," he said.

That's what he told me yesterday. Today, I'm watching him work out his anger on a punching bag. After all, I'm still his stalker... not that he knows. I'll always keep an eye on him, from the shadows or, well, through a camera.

I take a sip of my coffee in the eerie quiet of the mansion. It's noon, but the silence feels like midnight. I glance at my phone, tempted to check on Raze, but shut it off instead. I close my eyes, exhaling slowly. I shouldn't have talked to him. Should've just stuck to stalking him—would've been easier.

"Blaming yourself, Hellion?" Jared's voice cuts through the quiet.

"Morning, J," I greet him softly as he sits beside me, holding that hideous green juice of his. I wrinkle my nose in disgust. "Why do you even drink that disaster of a drink?"

"I like it. Keeps me young and fit," he says, patting my head mockingly.

"Young? Sure," I scoff.

"What are you doing sitting here alone, dressed like you're about to go assassinate someone?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Like you don't already know," I reply, turning to face him.

"Your father might've mentioned something," he muses. "But it's surprising you're making a move so soon."

I scoff again. "Dude, the man sent over half a dozen goons to abduct me. If anything, I'm late to the party. And now, I find out he hits his son... no time is better than this," My hands curl into fists at the thought.

"Relax." Jared raises a hand in a calming gesture. "What I meant was, why not keep him in the dark a little longer? He knows you're strong, sure, but he has no idea about the team you have behind you. Instead of storming in with Matteo and risking giving your obsession another nightmare, why not send him a little... package?"

I pause, considering. "But we planned everything. What about that?"

"Plans can change," he shrugs. "It's your call. Just don't forget, you're not a stranger to me. I know you and Matteo make a hell of a team, but I'm still your godfather—and your trainer. I'm always here for you, Maia."

He leans in, kissing my forehead, a rare display of affection. "Remember, a good leader is both careful and reckless when it counts," he adds with a wink before walking away.

He's like a fairy godmother—if fairy godmothers were buffer, taller, and had a lethal edge instead of being cute, chubby ladies dressed in periwinkle.

I grab my phone and dial Luca's number.

"Boss," he mutters, voice heavy with sleep.

"Plan's cancelled," I say, cutting straight to the point. "I'll explain when I get there."

Before he can respond, I hang up.

I slip the phone back into my pocket and stand up, stretching out the tension in my limbs. My eyes drift to the window, where sunlight streams in, too warm, too bright for what's about to happen.

Jared's words linger in my mind. A good leader is both careful and reckless. I've always leaned toward the reckless side of things, but maybe today, careful is the better choice.

I head for the door, passing the grand staircase and the quiet rooms that make this mansion feel more like a fortress than a home. My thoughts swirl, sharp and relentless. Matteo will be pissed that I left him here, but he'll deal. He always does. I drop him a text, telling him where am I.