Indebted to the Mafia King

*Heidi*

Cal drives us through the city, but I don't recognize the path he's taking until he stops in front of the exact same store in Greenwich Village that I had my eyes on for weeks when I was searching for a place to rebuild Sullivan's Bookstore. At first, I frown, wondering what we're doing here. It's a tease, honestly. My heart beats fast when I look at the front window and realize it is no longer for sale. I don't want to assume anything, so I turn to look at Cal, who has the biggest grin on his face. "What is this?" I ask, just to make sure I'm not crazy.

After Cal was shot, I kind of set the idea of having a new bookstore aside. I focused on helping him recover, then having my things moved to his apartment, and after all of that was settled, I turned my attention to learning his businesses instead of going back to my own profession. I was frustrated and disappointed at everything failing in that department, so I simply ignored it.

Until now.

Seeing this store brings back all those thrilling, yet devastating, emotions. The idea of having my grandparents' shop up and running again has me excited for the future and the possibilities of what I can create with it this time, adding my own touch to it. But I've been hampered by the difficulties of finding a new storefront. New York City real estate is cut throat.

"Isn't this the store you loved?" Cal raises his brows at me.

I nod, not sure I can speak.

"Well, it is all yours now," he tells me, and he's just as excited as I am. I love him for it. Knowing he has my back and supports all of my dreams means everything to me.

"Are you for real?" I blurt, excitement coursing through me.

Cal nods in confirmation, and I let out a squeal, rushing to open the door.

I hear him following, but I'm so focused on gripping the key he gave me that I don't bother to look back and make sure he's coming, too. "Oh, my God, oh, my God, oh, my God!" I repeat as I insert the key in the lock and hear it click, revealing the inside of the shop.

Everything inside has changed. So much so that I barely recognize it. It used to be a boutique before, but now all the shelves and furniture are gone, leaving it completely empty for me to fill it with whatever I want.

I'm already thinking about the design. I wander around the place, staring at the walls that I'm definitely going to cover with a new wallpaper. I also know where I want the shelves to be, the small lounge for people to read and spend some time in-maybe with a coffee bar-and the check-out counter.

"You really bought this for me?" I turn to look at Cal, who is standing behind me with a proud expression on his face.

"Yes, I did," he replies. "You told me you loved it but couldn't afford it, so..."

"I couldn't afford it," I emphasize. "I still can't. And you shouldn't be spending your money on me like this."

"Our money," he corrects me, taking a step forward. He wraps his hands around my waist and gently pulls me toward him. "Everything that I own belongs to you as well, Heidi. You're my family, there's no such thing as 'my money'. Hear me?"

I nod, still a bit uncomfortable with all of this. I know Cal doesn't care about money as much as one might think he does, and I understand where he's coming from because I wouldn't want him to think anything I have isn't his. But still, I feel like I'm taking advantage of him for some reason, and even though this is something I need to work on, I'm still not there yet.

"So that you don't feel completely dependent on me, you can use the insurance money to furnish the space and purchase your inventory," he continues. "And if you find yourself short of money to finish it, I'm happy to help however I can." "Thank you," I tell him honestly. "Really, I'm so happy you managed to get this place. I was so in love with it the moment I saw it. I can't believe it's going to be my new bookstore soon!" I exclaim, stepping away from his embrace and returning to my inspection. I have so many ideas running through my mind that I can't wait to start working on. I can't wait to see it done and open to the public.

"I'm happy to be the one to help you fulfil that dream," he says behind me.

I turn to Cal again, wrapping my hands around his neck this time and pulling him in for a kiss.

"I love you," I say against his mouth. "And I can't wait to start the rest of my life with you."

His grip on me tightens as he kisses me again. "Speaking of which, the wedding is approaching, and you still have a lot of things to decide," he reminds me.

We decided to wait until fall to get married. I have a lot of ideas, but I still have a ton to do, including picking out my wedding dress. "Ugh, I know..." I murmur, rolling my

eyes.

"Did you really just roll your eyes at the mention of our wedding?" he asks, but his tone is teasing and playful.

"It's just that now I can't think of anything else other than opening the bookstore," I explain. "You should have waited until the wedding to tell me you bought it. So, technically, it's your fault."

"Ha," Cal scoffs. "I can take the key back and give it to you in...what, eight months? Maybe nine? This way the wedding will be over by then, and you can focus on the store."

I narrow my eyes at him. I know he's teasing me, but I can't even imagine returning to my normal life knowing that I have an entire store to build and decorate. "You wouldn't dare. And I can take care of both things," I say, determined. "You won't be seeing as much of me in the office, though."

He smirks. "That will be torture but will also keep me anxious to get home sooner so I can see you. Besides, the guys will be relieved to know you won't be visiting as often." "What?" I squeak, surprised. "What do you mean? They don't like it when I show up?" My jaw drops in shock. I never once thought they didn't like me being around. "It's not like that." Cal shrugs, and clears his throat to try and explain. "It's just that, you know men... they like to be assholes sometimes without being judged, and with you there, it feels like they're just naughty kids who are being watched by their mother."

"Oh, my God! You never told me that before. I feel so stupid now for invading their space," I retort, bitter. And a little mad, as well.

"Come on," Cal muses, pulling me against him. "You're not always there, anyway. Not to mention, I'm the boss, so my opinion is the only one that counts. I'm just saying they will be delighted to know they don't have to watch their language anymore. I, on the other hand, am not as happy. I will miss having you beside me, acting all sexy and bossy during the day."noveldrama

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"Really? You're not just saying it to please me?"

The power he has to make me melt with everything he says still astonishes me. I'm

putty in his hands so much that it scares me sometimes.

"Of course," Cal agrees, a mischievous grin appearing on his face. I feel his hard length

against my core and widen my eyes at him.

"We're in the middle of the store!" I scold.

"So?" He shrugs, walking me backward toward the spare room to our left. "This is the best way to celebrate your new ownership, isn't it?"

"How can you be so horny all the time?" I ask him, but truth be told, I'm trying my best to feign indifference and act hard to get because the idea of having sex on the floor of my new shop is somewhat enticing.

"How can I not be? Have you seen my woman?" he teases, kissing my neck. "She's fucking hot."

Desire pools at my core, and I strengthen my hold on his neck, supporting myself as he guides me backward. "You're helpless," I note, finally surrendering to his touch. "And you're perfect. And I love you. And I can't wait to see you walking down the aisle. I can't wait to have a bunch of mini yous running around the house. I can't wait to wake up next to you everyday for the rest of our lives," Cal whispers, kissing me in different places every time he adds a new wish to his infinite list.

I chuckle, a joy bubbling up within me so foreign I hardly recognize myself. It's overwhelming, but in a good way. Meeting Cal was the best thing that has ever happened to me. Sometimes, I can't even believe he's mine. Life has changed so much for me, and if someone told me this is how it was going to be, I wouldn't have believed them.

But now that I have him, I can't imagine it being any other way.

Being the Irish Queen will be difficult at times, but with Cal at my side, I know we can

do anything.