Playing with Fire

Reviews

• Cenigh

  Finished August 30, 2025

  4.5 ⭐ This was a cute mafia story, which is weird since Malakai threatened Olivia's sister to get her to marry him, and he is shown to be a ruthless killer. However, since day one, he was gentle and tolerated a lot from her without any repercussions. He was also surprisingly not overly controlling, except when it came to her safety, and even then, not overbearing so. He did get feral when she was injured. The pranks that Olivia was constantly pulling to annoy Malakai were fun and hilarious. He was a ridiculously good sport about them and found most of them amusing. I liked both MCs and the side characters. There was also some great banter between the couple. Olivia did not forgive him easily and was not one to cave quickly. Gabriel Spires did a phenomenal job infusing emotions into the narration. It was unfortunate that Olivia found out about the bet, which happened before they were together, and that Malakai even went through the bet even though he won, because he didn't want to belittle their relationship. It was annoying that it took her so long to listen to him, and it took him being willing to give her a divorce to forgive him. “You’re fucking mine now, Olivia. Mine.” “Because I want to hold you,” While his voice is stern and strong, his eyes are not. There’s a hint of vulnerability there, an edge of something uncertain flicking in his expression. “Is that a problem?” Seeing him like this, that steely hardness to him pushed down to show this softer side, I don’t have the heart to say no. So, I shuffle closer to him and when he lifts his arms, I tuck myself against his side, hand falling to his abdomen. “Save me a dance tonight?” He asks, a flicker of vulnerability coming over him and this feeling inside of me only intensifies. I don’t expect real with Malakai but it’s the only thing he has ever given me. He doesn’t hide. I nod, “All of my dances are yours.” I almost bite my tongue when the words come out but then his face lights up, the smile stretching his sensual mouth boyish and playful. I want Malakai. It’s that realization that has my spine straightening. I want him. Right now. He’s strength and safety in the most profound way considering he’s the most dangerous man I know. But for me? He isn’t a monster. He isn’t the devil. For me he is a rock. He is a net to catch me, a crutch to hold me up. He’s never once made me feel weak. Though he absolutely could if he wanted to. I’ve been looking at him all wrong, like having him by my side is a bad thing. But in fact, him as my husband, no matter how it came about, is a strength I didn’t know I was missing. It was all the little things. The crusts on my bread, the need to know I’ve had water, had food. It was the forehead kisses and light touches, the smiles he threw me when I tried to piss him off. It’s the attention and care he provides, the softness I see in him when he’s trying to hide it behind a wall of violence. It’s him in his entirety, the hard, brutal parts of him, the dominant possessive edges that have been softened by the way he cares for those close to him. It’s his laughter with the boys and his mischievous, playful grins. Fuck. I’m falling in love with my husband. “Because there is nothing I won’t do to make sure you’re protected. I will burn every city to the ground to eliminate any threat to you. I am your shield, Olivia. Your bullet. I am your husband.” And as much as I could worship him, get on my knees for him, I won’t allow him to control me. And I think he likes that. I think he likes the defiance, the rebellious streak, and tests I throw at his patience. “I am choosing you to be happy, Olivia.” He swallows and I wasn’t mistaken, those are tears. That’s a tear rolling down his cheek. If I thought I was heartbroken before then I was wrong because this – this is excruciating. I can’t fucking breathe past it. “And if being happy means being without me, for now, then sign the divorce papers and don’t meet me at the end of the aisle.” “Malakai…” “But I need you to know, even if you sign these papers, I won’t stop. I will earn your love again, Olivia, whether we are married or not. You are my wife. You will always be my wife.” “Whatever you choose,” He pauses, his back to me, spine straight and shoulders stiff, like walking away right now is physically paining him. “I will understand, but please… choose me back.” “For the rest of my life, Olivia, I will love you. Every bratty, rebellious side of you. I will laugh with you, and hold you when you cry, will worship you, and look after you. I will continue to choose you, no matter the outcome because you are it. It’s not the sun I seek after the storm, it’s you. Always you.” Her breath rushes from her as I gently kiss her cheek. “And when my time comes, there will be no place that will be able to hold me from you. I will find you in every existence. I love you, Olivia Farrow. Always.”

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