You Are Mine

Venting

Nicole

The first thing that struck my mind as my eyes fluttered open early the next morning was how cold the sheets next to me were, a sharp contrast to the radiating heat from Adrian's body. Last night was probably my favorite and most memorable since I got married to Adrian.

Adrian was the most perfect gentleman, I could tell he was putting a good fight to keep his restraint. I received a generous tip on the fact, from the way his erection brushed against my ass as he held me tight to himself. I felt the safest I had ever felt since I set foot here, safe in Adrian's protective hands.

But now there was no sign of Adrian. I had half expected it, seeing as he always left before I woke up every morning, yet, there was a small hopeful part that wished he would stay here in bed with me just today.

I pushed myself off the bed and within the next 30 minutes, I was ready for the day. The bed was well arranged as well as the room. It was the one chore I had adapted myself to since Adrian would not let me do so much as lift a broom. Thankfully, Adrian was messy to the right degree. By messy, I meant he made it a habit to always leave work papers all around the bedroom table. I had been tempted a few times to go through them, but knowing very well what Adrian's business was, I never made it past the first page.

"Good morning darling," Evelina said with a small smile as I took my seat at the breakfast table.

"Good morning..." I trailed off as I realized I did not even know what to call her just yet.

"Mamma," Chelsea interjected, using her thick Italian accent. "You have to call her Mamma since you're married to Adrian now,"

"Good morning mamma," I said, grinning at how awful the words sounded in my mouth, "maybe I need to get a few classes on how to greet in Italian,"

"I would be happy to give you some," Anders walked in and turned to kiss his mother on her cheek, "but your husband is a jealous asshole and he would murder me if I came too close."

"You're his brother, there's no way he will murder you," I chuckled.

"You do not know the man," Chelsea snorted and raised her hand as Anders attempted to hug and kiss her, "Do not think of rubbing all of that cheesy s**t on me,"

"Why are you even so mean to me?" he said with a rueful smile and took his seat.

"I love you too," she flashed him a sweet smile and took a sip of her juice.

"Where's Adrian?" I asked.

"Out making rounds," Chelsea guessed, "Or shooting someone," I winced at that one, "or better still, sending another helpless 17 year old on a never-ending exile far from home."

"You do not have the permission to disrespect your oldest brother like that," Evelina chastised with a frown.

"You're always taking his side even when he's being nothing but a total d**k," she retorted.

"Chelsea!," Anders said in a hushed tone.

"What? You know I'm right." she shrugged,

"Your brother is doing a lot to protect you," I said, suddenly feeling the weird urge to defend Adrian. "he does not enjoy having his family so far away, but he does so because he cares if you're alive or dead. You should feel lucky to have him as your brother and consider not being so bitchy to him for wanting to keep you safe."

"What..."

"I wish to have a breakfast without your regular bullshit Chelsea," her mother interjected before her words spilled out. "You either eat quietly or leave the table so others can enjoy a peaceful breakfast."

"Of course," she said and dropped her napkin on the table angrily. "I would hate to hinder you from your peaceful meal.

Any hope I had imagined to build a good relationship between myself ad my sister-in-law went down through the drain as Chelsea shot me the iciest glare before walking out. I knew it would take some apologies to fix that yet I was not nearly upset at myself for talking to Adrian's side even in his absence.

"I'm sorry" I started to speak, but Evelina stopped me.

"Do not apologize for holding your husband up first," she said with a proud smile.

"So you're not upset that I pissed Chelsea off,"

"Chelsea is always pissed,' Anders chuckled. "sh does not need a reason to be upset,"

"Plus she comes around just as quickly as she gets upset." Evelina added, "now enough of that talk. I have an important meeting today, and I wish I could forfeit it so I can stay home and have a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law bonding time with you."

"It's okay," I smiled, " I can wait till your meeting is over. I have all day plus I'm in no hurry."

"Thank you, Mi Amore," she straightened her glasses. After gulping down her juice, she promised to finish up early so we could have our said bonding time with a walk in the garden. I appreciated that because as much as I loved that garden, it was too large for me to take a walk in it on my own and I did not mind the company from the matriarch of the Davonte's.

*** *** ***

Adrian's mood was crabby for the rest of the day after he came back from rounds. I considered asking him what was wrong, but since I already had enough information after accidentally eaved dropping this morning, I knew already what had him so worked up.

Ricco had taken a new shipment from another group, and as usual, did a great job at leaving a mess for Adrian to take care of. I had met the asshole only once but everytime I heard his name mentioned, Adrian's mood and demeanor completely changed and not in a good way.

I made the mistake of walking to Adrian's office to ask if I could get some more paint before I realized just how upset he was today. I stared at the shattered glass on the floor next to the door I had just walked in through. Adrian was seeping with rage on his seat and Anders sat next to him, not exactly comforting him, since he looked just as pissed.

"I'll just come back later," I mumbled as I made my way out, back through the door I came in.

"Come back here," he commanded as he picked up his phone.

I turned just in time to see him hit the call button and place the phone on his ear. I considered staying and following his command, but as his rage built higher with every word he spoke to the person on the phone, I knew it was the worst time to be around Adrian.

"Pour me another glass," he said to Anders, who was trying to tell me to leave with his weird gestures. Apparently, he knew what his brother could be in such a mood.

His fingers snapped at me sharply and he gestured to the couch. "I'm fine with leaving and coming back soon," I explained and turned to leave.

"Sit the f**k down Nicole," he growled in a scary tone.

"I sat through a few more minutes of the call and I could not help the pity I felt for whoever it was on the direct receiving end of Adrian's rage. I was thankful it was not me—yet. After the call, I was further bored with talks of how to conduct one weird meeting with something called the city's meanest.

His phone rang again, and he answered the call and strolled to the window, leaving me with my new company Anders. "So why is he pissed now?" I asked him in a hushed tone, careful not to draw Adrian's attention. He was speaking to some man called Mauricio, yelling I meant.

"Why else," Anders said, still frowning.

"You look pissed too," I noted.

"Who would hear the name Ricco and not be so pissed," he replied sharply and I knew he did not mean to sound so defensive.

"What did he do this time?"

"That's not your problem," A growl came from where Adrian stood earlier. He was no longer on the phone, instead, his smoldering gaze swept over me, and despite his anger, his eyes softened. "Anderson, fix the guys for a trip to the club tonight."

"Would you need me to come with you?" he asked as he got to his feet.

"You stay back to handle things here, I got that one."

"Okay." he turned back to me, "I'll see you later Nicole. Try not to piss him off too much today," he whispered the last part.

"I think I missed that boat early this morning," I whispered back.

"Yoy both know I can hear you right?" Adrian said as he stalked to where I sat on the couch.

"Excuse me," Anders said and walked out through the door, leaving me with a still very angry Adrian.

"I should leave too," I said quickly and got to my feet too.

"Did I say you could?" he stepped forward reducing my chance to escape.

"You are in a bad mood," I shot back, "and I would rather not be at the receiving end of all that anger."

"'I am in a bad mood, but that does not mean I will vent it out on you," he stretched a hand out and yanked me into him swiftly.

"That would easy to believe if you did not just yell at me a few minutes ago," I scowled at him.

A small smile crept up his face, while his hands worked to tighten around me, "I apologize for that, s**t is f****d up today."

"Say you're sorry," I demanded.

"It's the same thing," he argued.

"Good, that should make it easier to say," Thrills shot up through my body as I managed to reach his eye, but I was not backing down. He gave me a long look and after a small huff, he finally said, "I'm sorry for yelling at you kitten."

"That makes me feel a lot better." I reached out and cupped his cheeks. "Now tell me why you're so worked up today,"

His entire body became still and rigid again as I asked the question, "That part is not important."

"Yes, it is." I shot back.

"I decide that Nicole," he said and suddenly released his hold on me, "tell me what you wanted."

"It's that Ricco man isn't it?" I asked as I walked behind him closely.

"Stop,"

"Every time you hear or talk about him, your mood always changes,"

"Well I was not the only one pissed," he said as he leaned on the hardwood of his desk.

"I did not see Anders losing his cool and venting out on a poor cup used to serve you," I gave a sweet smile.

"Why are you here Nicole?" he asked through a sigh.

"Why do you even hate him so much?" now I knew I was treading dangerously far into trouble, a feeling I confirmed as Adrian slammed a fist on the table angrily.

"Answer the goddamn question and stop f*****g talking about that asshole." he barked, I flinched slightly, completely taken aback by his anger.

"You said you would not vent out on me," I said trying to hold back a sob.

He ran a hand over his face and closed his eyes in frustration, "Nicole," he started, but I held a hand up to stop him.

"Leave it, I'm sorry for wanting to know how I could help make your mood better." I sucked in a sharp breath.

"That's not it Nicole. You do not have to be sorry..."

"I came over to ask for a new set of paints," I continued not minding that he was attempting to explain himself. "I'm almost done and I need a few new colors. I will just text you the details."

I turned to leave and made it to the door before his two large hands snaked around my waist from behind. He kissed my shoulder while I tried to break free. He was not the only one that could get pissed. "Why are you leaving?"

"I would hate to come between you and your precious rage," I snapped.

"You're more precious to me,"

"Forgive me for finding that very hard to believe, and let go of me. Ther's too much for me to do." My hands fighting against his did not do much to make him leave me though, and we stood there engaging in our power tussle until one of us decided to give up. Yes, it was me.

"You know you cannot fight me," he growled in my ear and kissed my neck.

"That's not making me any less upset with you," I lied.

"I'll pretend to believe that lie," he chuckled and continued kissing my neck down to my shoulder. "I have to be out tonight," he said after a few minutes of making me almost lose my mind with his teasing and sinful lips.

"I figured that much earlier."

"I'll be out much later, and for longer," he explained and I tried to stop the disappointment that crawled up my face, with no use.

"Okay," I muttered.

"What would you do to keep busy tonight?"

"Wait for you to come back home," somehow I could only sleep when I knew his watchful eyes were all over me on our bed. So no matter what time he decided to come back, I would always wait for him.

"I like hearing the sound of that, but I cannot ask you to wait up. I will be back really late." he released his grip on me and allowed me to turned to look at him.

"I'll decide to wait for my husband if I want to. And don't get me wrong, that does not mean I am no longer upset." I wagged a warning finger in his face.

He took my finger and kissed it softly. "Would some chocolates do anything to help my case?"

"Maybe," I whispered and pulled my hand back. "you'd just have to buy it to know."

"I wonder how you do it," he chuckled.

"What?" I asked defensively, ready to go st him if he made any glib commemts

"How you turn my mood around with just your presence." he grinned.

A small blush crept up my cheeks and I quickly turned around to leave. "Maybe I have magical powers."

"Maybe, just maybe."