SWNOVELS Mila: The Godfather: Part 2 – Chapter 64
RIAGAN
“Loving you comes so easily.” — M
“Are we there yet?” Mila beams excitedly as I lead her while blindfolded.
“A few more steps, baby.” Her childlike excitement warms my heart and has me planning my next surprise already. If surprises make her this damn happy, I’ll plan one each day for the rest of our lives.
She deserves that and more.
Today, she’s crossing off another dream on her bucket list, and fuck if it didn’t make me feel proud as fuck.
She passed her driver’s license today with flying colors. Not that I didn’t think she would. Mila’s brilliant, and she does exceptionally well with everything she sets her mind to.
Most girls her age have outrageous bucket lists or shallow goals like becoming famous or some shit like that, but not my girl, no. She’s all about the little things. The ’normal’ things us humans take for granted and see as insignificant.
Like changing someone’s life or learning to drive.
That’s how sweet and kind she is.
“I’m excited, Riagan. Did you know that good surprises trigger the release of dopamine – the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter.”
“That’s our happy chemical, yes?” I ask while reaching our destination.
“Correct!” She gives me a thumbs up.
Fuck, my wife’s cute.
When we are close to the garage, I stop. “We’re here.”
“Finally.” She claps excitedly, and the gesture shoots daggers through my heart.
So sweet. Fuck, her sweetness is addictive.
“Are you ready, baby?” I ask, releasing her hand and reaching for the bandana that’s covering her eyes.
“Yes!” She jumps in place.
“Here we go.” I remove the bandana from her face and let it fall to the ground next to her feet. “Congratulations, butterfly.”
A shocked gasp escapes her when she stares at the 2023 white Mercedes GLC and the light blue Model X SUV. I remember a conversation she had with Maeve a few days ago, where Mila mentioned she couldn’t wait to own her car.
Now she has two.
I would’ve gotten her one or two more, but I know that’s not who she is. She would’ve been just as grateful if I gifted her a beat-up bicycle.
I watch as she freezes for a moment too long before she turns to me and asks. “Are those cars for me?” Her voice shakes, breaking my heart a little. Shit, a lot. Every time I do something nice for her or give her nice things, she over thinks it, or it’s hard for her to believe it’s all real. A sign that she still carries trauma from her life back in Detroit. She’s slowly healing those traumas, yet some will take a little more time. But I have all the time in the world.
Reaching forward, I caress her cheek, smiling reassuringly at her. “They’re for you, baby. Think of them as an early birthday present, yeah.”
“But two cars? One is too much, but two? I-I can’t—”
“No buts.” I poke her nose playfully. “You said that you love seeing me smile, correct?”
She narrows her eyes adorably. “Yes. Where are you going with this?” she asks suspiciously.
Smart girl.
I contain the laughter that’s bubbling inside me at how cute she looks right now.
“Well, teaching you new things and giving you gifts makes me happy, which in turn makes me smile.”
“Oh, that’s not fair!” she argues.
“Nonsense. It’s a fair transaction.” It is. Money and cars mean shit to me. But the happiness she brings me? That means everything. Every-single-funking-thing.
“It’s not. I don’t have the money. I can’t give you the same things. I–” she drops her head, making all those unruly curls fall around her face.
Shit.
Reaching under her chin, I make her look at me. Those big blue eyes hit me. They move rapidly, trying to focus on just one thing. So pretty. She takes my breath away.
“You give me so much more. Something no amount of money can buy.” I bend low so we’re face to face. Kissing her lips softly, I groan at her sweet taste. Mine. The wild animal in me hisses. Mine. Only ever mine.
She pulls away and touches my cheek. “I want to be able to buy you things, too. Things that make you smile.” She whispers. Her intoxicating breath hitting my face.
Stealing another quick kiss, I smile down at her, wanting her to know that I mean every word that comes out of my mouth. “I don’t need anything but you, butterfly. Your happiness is all I want.” I tell her. Because her love? Yeah. I have it, even if she hasn’t said the words.
I have her heart, and that’s the only thing I treasure in this life besides my father.
Mila smiles at me brightly.
God, she’s pretty on a normal day. But when she smiles, she could knock me to my knees.
“You always say the sweetest things, Riagan.” she breathes out.
“What can I say, baby. You bring out the good in me.” I wink at her, and her smile widens.
“Every part of you is good.” She says shyly.
“Nah, baby. I know that’s not true.” I breathe out, loving the way she’s looking at my lips now. “The only good part of me is you.” Her cheeks turn a pretty shade of pink.
Beautiful.
“Oh, you’re wearing them!” she completely forgets our conversation when she looks down at the ground, pointing at my feet.
“Of course, I am.” I lift the end of my jeans, so she can see the white sneakers she costume made for me better. “You’re incredibly talented.”
“Thank you.” She smiles. “I’m glad you like them.”
“I love them.” I love you is on the tip of my tongue.
“They look good on you.”
“They do. Would it be too much to ask you to paint all my shit? Go crazy, baby. Paint my world.”
“You’re crazy.” She laughs, hugging me.
“Crazy for you,” I tell her truthfully. I am completely mad for this girl. She’s all I think about. All I see when I open my eyes in the morning and when I close them at night. She’s everything, she’s everywhere, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
My perfect girl.
My dream come true.
“I feel the same way, Riagan.” She mumbles on my chest. Smirking, I pull her back so she can look at me. I save the look on her face in my memory. The look of pure happiness. I’m addicted to her smiles. I want all of them.
“I know.”
“You’re so cocky.” She hits my chest playfully.
“Oh, you would know.”
She gasps. “Oh, I got that one! An innuendo. Clever.”
I bark out a laugh while her neck turns the same shade of pink as her cheeks.
Fuck, does she paint my world.
Colorful and full of magic.
Grabbing her hand, I walk her towards her brand-new cars. “Come on, pick one, and let’s go for a drive.”
“Really?” She smiles, and I can’t help but smile with her. Her smile is as beautiful as it is infectious.
“Really, baby. Pick.”
“I love them both!” she says while giving it some thought. After a few seconds, she makes her decision. “That one.” She points to her blue Model X.
And that’s how we spend the rest of our day. Talking, laughing, and sharing fun facts while my sweet queen drives us all over my city.
It can’t get better than this.
But it did.
So much fucking better.