Page 118 of The Man with a Treasure

“No. You know how to fuck.”

I stepped out of my slacks. “What about birth control?”

“They put a contraception in her arm.”

I had no idea what he meant but asked, “How do you know this?”

“It’s called conversation. You should try more of that and less snarling.”

“Sal… w-what if she doesn’t like sex?”

“Then I will come in and save the night.”

That had me chuckling again. But then I remembered— “You won’t be in here.” I could feel the blood drain from my face.

“Nope. Kitchen duties call.”

“Sal—”

“Nope. You’re a big boy. Take off your boxers.”

“But—”

He suddenly spoke in a serious tone, while peering at the ground. “I had a dream.”

“A warning?”

A gentle smile crossed his lips as he looked up. “No, my friend. A blessing.”

My brows bunched. “What happened in the dream?”

He touched my face. “Trust me when I say that tonight will be a blessing for you.”

He didn’t want me to know my future. I had to trust he had his reasons. So, I removed my boxers, laid down, and then lifted my hands over my head.

Smirking, Sal laid a sheet over my body, up to my navel. “We don’t want to spook the poor girl with your large ‘package’ that Mae has literally been eyeing.” He tied a napkin around my wrist, then paused. “You ready?”

I was a killer. Being extremely vulnerable wasn’t exactly a fun pastime, but this was for Scarlett. If she survived it, I would, too. “Do it.”

As he restrained me, his tone went serious again. “This is a wonderful thing you are doing, Angelo. You’re giving her the power to be in charge, something she has never known. But you are also honoring me by trusting I will watch over you both while you two are together.” He tapped his side, touching his gun to solidify his meaning while walking to the other side of my bed.

My stomach unsettled, I watched him tie my other wrist. “I trust you with my life, Sal. And I trust you with hers.”

Our eyes met. “Thank you.”

I gave him a curt nod, then tested the bindings. “Why do people purposely want to be tied? This is unsettling.”

“That’s the point, Angelo. Power. Surrender. You said it yourself.”

Examining my restraints, I grumbled, “Saying it and experiencing it are two different situations.”

Concern was mine when an evil smile crossed Sal’s face. “Are you particularly ticklish?”

Laughter felt good. “Find out and die.”

“I will go get Dove.” He started walking toward the door, then turned back around. “Oh, I forgot to mention, I may or may not have told her about orgasms while you were in Canada. And I may or may not have told her about wings, flying like a bird—” he waved his hand through the air between us, “and things like that. No big deal. Just be sure fireworks go off in here, okay?”

Blink. Blink. “Sal! What have you promised her will happen in here?”