“Go home to your families. That’s an order,” she commanded.
All around her, the men nodded in respect, shuffling out of the warehouse shortly thereafter. Watching her command with such strength was an absolute delight.
I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her in tight against me. “Tonight, I’m taking you home and putting you to bed. Then, when the time is right, you and I are going to have a long discussion about what happens to bad girls who sneak off in the middle of the night,” I said.
“Yes, sir,” she whispered, her voice soft enough that no one around us could hear.
I had to restrain myself from fucking her right then and there. There would be plenty of time for that later.
* * *
I held her the entire way home. She clutched at me, ducking her head into the crook of my neck. When we pulled into my driveway, she pulled away a bit.
“I’m sorry,” she murmured.
“I forgave you the moment I found you gone, angel.”
“Are you… did you really mean what you said?”
“What part?” I asked. I caressed the side of her face and she leaned into it.
“The discussion,” she whispered, almost as if she was too ashamed to say it.
“You will rest for as long as you need. Soon enough, I will remind you in every possible way that you’re mine.”
She shivered hard.
Bronson opened the door, and I carried her inside, all the way up to my bedroom and into the master bath. I stripped her of her clothes, and took her in the shower with me, rinsing off all the evidence of dirt and blood on her skin. She melted, wrapping her arms around me to hold herself up. I was gentle with her and when I was done, I dried her off with a soft towel and carried her into bed with me.
I pulled her close against me, my arm firmly around her waist.
“I love you, angel. I’m so proud of you,” I whispered.
“I love you too.”
My heart swelled with love. Never had a woman captivated me like her and soon, she was going to be my wife.
I was the luckiest man alive.
EPILOGUE
Kasia
The weeks passed by in a blur. I’d taken command of my father’s throne, which meant that I needed to oversee the day-to-day activities of my men. I had several meetings with the family’s consigliere. He seemed like a loyal servant to the Poplawski family, and his advice was sound.
I made several major alliances during the course of those weeks. Jon Moretti pledged the loyalty of the Montagna family, as did Cyrus.
Additionally, I sat down with Sergei Reznikov and made a profitable weapons deal with him that secured an alliance with his segment of the Russian Bratva that would stabilize his position in Chicago. From what I understood, it was just him and his men moving into Chicago. He was solely focused on building his family’s power.
I never asked, but I did note that he didn’t have a ring on his finger.
Lastly, I had James’ power at my back. I’d taken the Poplawski family and made them more powerful than ever before in history. My men were quite pleased. I established myself as a capable leader and my men gave me their loyalty as a result. It was hard won, but worth it in the end.
James let me lead on my own. A few times he offered advice, but he never pressured me to take it. With every passing day, I loved him more and more for that. It made me feel powerful to have his support beside me.
But I was growing impatient.
He hadn’t touched me since that night. I didn’t know if it was part of whatever punishment he had in mind, but it was making me antsy.