4

“FUCK.” I LOOK DOWN at my phone and see there still isn’t a message from Esme.

I told her to message me when she woke up, and it’s now almost 11 a.m. She could still be asleep, but I’m anxious as fuck that something could be wrong.

“What the fuck is your problem today?” Malcolm Fideri sounds more curious than irritated. He’s a work associate and my friend. He’ll be working with me more now that I’ve broken away from Salvatore, and today we had meetings with a few contractors about doing work on our new offices.

I want to lean toward looking, and being, more legit. Meeting Esme last night has only fueled my fire to live a life I can be proud of.

Because that’s how I’m thinking now. I can’t help it—she's in every thought I have. How what I do in every way could affect her and our life.

“I’ve seen you with things on your mind before. You’re never like this.”

He chuckles. “You have personal things? Since when do you have personal things?”

He holds his hands up in mock surrender. “Does this something have a name? Does this something have anything to do with you sending the workers to your house and all that other shit you’ve been doing all morning on the computer?”

“Maybe,” I answer, at the same time replying to a text message from the owner of the security company that services my home.

I have them doing a complete upgrade on my system to include more interior and exterior cameras, infrared sensors, anything and everything that I need to be sure she will be safe when she’s home. Things I should have done years ago but never got around to while it was just me.

Before I can shut him down, Malcolm grabs the phone out of my hand, dodging my attempts to snatch it back long enough to bring up a photo I took last night of Esme while she slept. Luckily, all it shows is her face. I don’t know what I’d do if he got even a glimpse of what’s mine.

“Give the fucking phone back, Malcolm, or I’ll shoot you where you stand.”

Malcolm and I haven’t known each other all our lives the way that Salvatore and I have, but what our friendship lacks in history, it makes up for in trust. Malcolm has had my back on more than one occasion, and he’s never had much love for Sal.

Malcolm laughs. “Wow, this just gets better and better.” I glare at him, and he takes the hint to veer in another direction. “So, where're things with Salvatore? I get that you clearly had other things on your mind last night, but you cancel on him again, that might fuck things up.”

“We’ve come to a semi-agreement. I talked to him last night when I couldn’t make the meeting at his place, and we agreed to meet at Paesano’s tomorrow.” I shrug. “Not much more to do but argue about who has the biggest dick, find a compromise we can both live with and seal the deal. This shit he’s getting into pisses me off, but for now, I’m just trying to ignore it. We could both destroy each other; the trick is to be the first to launch the attack. I don’t think it’s going to come to that...at least I fucking hope not. I just want to move on.”

Malcolm nods. “We’ll get there. You still have people that are loyal to you.”

I think about that for a long moment before responding, “Yeah, but I’m trying to find my exit plan.” He stares at me, crossing his arms. “I need to go straight, man. I’ve thought about it a long time, but now it’s what I need.”

He shakes his head. “You know that’s going to make people nervous. Especially Sal.”

“Fuck everybody. Especially fuck Sal. It will be okay. If you need to keep your distance, I’ll understand.”

“I’m not keeping any fucking distance,” he barks. “Loyalty is exactly this. You want to clean up a bit, I’ll help you. Can’t say I’m looking to do the same, but I’ll try not to muddy your waters, and I’ll go in on deals as best I can to support you. But...” He sniffs and finishes. “What’s really going on? Yesterday you were talking about dropping by your old office, getting your books so you could set up a delivery of AK’s. Today you want to go white picket fence and a day job?”

“Sometimes, something hits you, and you see things differently. Like someone turned the light on in a room you forgot you had and you realize that’s where you want to be. I guess my light got turned on.”

Fuck, I’m losing my mind. Esme doesn’t even know me, and I’m planning our future together. I’m planning a fuck ton of other filthy things, as well, and I plan to get started on that later today.

But why the fuck hasn’t she texted me yet? Her friend Karen seems nice enough, but my guess is that she wouldn’t call me if something had happened. I throw my head back and growl, looking at the ceiling.

“You gonna make it?” Malcolm asks, stepping over to the console on the wall in my office and grabbing his leather jacket.

As he puts it on, I catch a glimpse of the special inside pocket he has in all his jackets, the one holding his nine-millimeter, and it reminds me of the dangerous life we still lead.

“Yeah.” I shove my desk chair back so hard it hits the wall, then stand, shoving my phone into my inside suit jacket pocket and locking my computer. “I gotta go.”

“Didn’t you say the Lucci brothers are coming in an hour to make a payment on the next shipment? You going to blow them off, too?”

“Fuck,” I grunt. “Just deal with them for me, will you? I need you on this, man. I’ll message them, tell them you’re taking point on this for now, I have an emergency or something.”

Before I can make it out of the office, there’s a quick knock at the door, then it opens.

“Hi there, boys.” Maria sashays in with a devious smile, wearing her scrubs from work and looking so much like my mom that a flash of melancholy tightens my chest.

“You can’t spend a few minutes with your sister? Geez.” She shakes her head then shoots a smile at Malcolm and takes a seat in the chair next to him.

“Yeah, yeah. You love to be busy. I was on my way home from my shift, wanted to see how the new digs were coming along.”

“Coming along fine,” I snap, then try to get a grip because she means well. “What do you think?”

Maria shrugs, looking around my sleek office. “Pretty good. Mom would like it,” she adds, and my heart twitches knowing mom would be proud of how I’m moving in my own direction.

I want to stay and chat, but my obsession with Esme is burning through me, and per usual, Maria narrows her eyes and reads me.

“What’s going on?” She studies me and looks at Malcolm, who raises his hands in a shrug of his own, then back to me. “Did you meet someone?”

“I’m not saying anything.” Malcolm crosses his arms and gives me a sympathetic sneer.

“I have to go,” I interrupt her rapid-fire line of questioning before she corners me for the next hour.

“Hey, I told you on the phone yesterday I’d bother you tomorrow, which is today, so you should have been expecting—"

Avoiding her questions is one thing, but also missing a meeting is no small deal; the Luccis might feel disrespected if I’m not there. But at this moment the only thing that matters to me is Esme and if she’s okay.

Getting into my Mercedes, my text tone goes off. I pull my phone out and start to read as I climb into the seat. Immediately my chest is tight, and my cock is growing harder, but relief washes over me.

Esme: Hi. It’s Esme. I’m doing fine. Got up then fell asleep again. Head isn’t hurting. Thanks for your help.

Me: Good girl. I’m on my way to your place now. I was worried when I didn’t hear from you.

Esme: No need to come back. I’m okay.

Me: Too late, I’m headed your way. Is your friend still there?

Esme: Yes, she’s sleeping. She worked all night, so this is her sleep time.

I take a deep breath. I’m not angry, but I don’t want her sitting there while someone sleeps. She still needs to be watched.

Me: I’ll see you in fifteen minutes. Your friend should go home and sleep once I arrive, I’ll take over.

Esme: Hmmm okay but really it’s not necessary.

Me: It is. I’m driving now. See you soon.

Soon, I’m outside her apartment door. I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself and tame my hard-on but failing completely. I knock, and a moment later I hear three locks clicking back. My teeth grind at the thought that she lives somewhere she doesn’t feel safe. That’s going to change.

When she opens the door, I’m immediately in awe of her innocent, sexy beauty. Her hair is loose around her fresh face, and her red lips turn upward, her blue eyes sparkling.

“Yes?” She opens the door just enough to poke her face out. “I already bought my Girl Scout cookies this year.” Her tone is playful—I see the little girl inside her more than yesterday, and it makes my heart leap.

“Yes.” I smile as she pulls the door back, letting me inside. I look over and see her friend sitting up on the couch, looking half asleep.

As grateful as I was that she came to look after Esme, I just want her to leave so the two of us can be alone. The last few hours away from her only solidified for me that there is something big going on here and I need to push things forward.

“Yes,” Esme replies, her eyes dancing up and down on me, then back to her friend. “You need to sleep. Thanks for coming over.”

The girls finish up some chitchat, giving me sidelong glances as they do, and I wander over to the window, noticing she has no curtains and there is an apartment building across the way. Literally anyone could look over and see her.

Irrational anger heats inside me at the thought that someone has the ability to watch her. See her walking around. I don’t want anyone else looking at her.

She and her friend say their goodbyes, then she comes over and sits cross-legged on the sofa.

I step to where she is, reaching down and pushing her hair back to reveal the bump on her head.

“No.” She looks up at me, and all I can think of is getting her on her knees, looking down into those eyes with my cock in her mouth. “I feel good.”

We’re alone, and it’s a struggle to stay in control. My cock is so hard it’s aching as she fidgets on the couch, her blonde hair shining in the sun streaming through the window, and her nipples are poking through the fabric of the Star Trek shirt, only now she’s also wearing a loose pair of blue jean shorts.

She looks like an innocent lamb again, sitting there with me towering over her, but she doesn’t look scared. She looks hopeful.

“Yes.” I swallow hard and choose my words carefully. “You will get me many things. Right now, I want you to tell me what happened last night. Why you were out in the street, running.”

“I told you. I met someone for a drink, and it just didn’t go that great.” She smiles and pushes a lock of hair behind her ear, but I know she’s lying.

And there’s a rage building inside of me at that thought because I suspect someone hurt her. Or tried to hurt her.

“Bambina, I want you to listen to me.” I reach down and take her hands, crouching to bring our faces level. “I believe that for some reason, maybe divine intervention, you were thrown into my life last night. I feel it. But for me to be the best I can be for you, you need to tell me the truth. Always. Can you do that for me?”

She chews on her bottom lip as I feel the softness of her tiny hands in mine. I want to discover every inch of her stunning curves, every crease and mark and the stories behind them all.

She opens her mouth like she’s going to answer, but instead she blows out a warm breath, and its sweet scent hits my nose, making me think of pressing my face between her legs and breathing her in.

When she finally speaks, her voice is tentative. “I mean, sure. Yes, but we barely know each other. You’re not responsible for my problems.” Her tone has turned a bit harsh, but I see through the tough act.

“This may sound crazy to you, but you will come to understand that you are my responsibility. And for me to take care of you, I always need to know what you are thinking. You need to be truthful with me, so I can help you and make sure you are safe.”

“Okay.” Her eyes light up, but there’s still doubt there. “I went for a job interview for a hostess position at a restaurant. The guy that was there wanted more than just an interview. When he started to unzip...” She shrugs and smiles uncomfortably, playing with the ends of her hair, and rage engulfs me as I realize where she’s going with this.

I’ve killed before. It’s not something I’m proud of, but nor is it something I’m ashamed of. At that moment it was what needed to be done. But right now, knowing someone thought she was their toy to intimidate?

The nine circles of hell would be a pleasure compared to what I want to do to whoever did this to her.

“I feel fine about it, though. I mean, I got out. Wasn’t like he was forcing me, was just sort of like...this is what needs to happen if you want the job. I just got scared. I could have just left, I’m sure. Truth is...” She gives me a shrug. “I don’t really want to talk about it. I feel stupid for acting like a crazy person.”

“There’s nothing to feel stupid about. I’m glad you ran. I’m not glad you got hurt, but I am glad you ran because you ran right into me.”

She looks so young sitting like that, leaning back against the couch, her face fresh and her eyes wide. There’s something growing inside of me that feels new. Something paternal, like she’s somehow always belonged to me, and I want everything good and wonderful in the world for her.

I want details but decide to wait. She said it was a restaurant. I know all the bars and restaurants around there. In fact, most of them are on our payroll for some level of protection, and I can tell you as soon as I find out who did this, they are going to get the beatdown of their life.

Everything in time. Right now I want her comfortable with me, and pushing her and showing her the rage that is bubbling inside me doesn’t feel like the right move.

“Me, too,” she whispers and licks her plump, pink lips, making my cock jerk.

“You know, I want to know everything about you.” I release one of her hands from mine and place it on her cheek for a split second, then stroke her hair, feeling the silky strands under my fingers before I trace them down her neck to hold her softly there. “I want to know everything.”

“It’s kinda hard to tell someone everything...but I’ll give you a synopsis,” she starts. “I just turned twenty. I just finished my first year at the University of Michigan. I’m taking a few online summer classes because I want to graduate early, then go on to law school. I worked as a waitress in a diner all year in addition to taking a full load of classes. I like to decorate, too. I eat too much junk, especially the pink Hostess Sno Balls and Kit Kats. I eat waffles every morning for breakfast, it’s the only thing I can cook. I have a cat named Oscar and a dog named Lemon that both live with my parents. I grew up in Greenbriar, that’s like two hours north, small little town—there were seventy-eight in my graduating class, if that tells you anything. Umm...I don’t know what else to tell you.” Her cheeks burn pink, and I wonder if she’s wet. “Oh, I don’t drive. I’m scared to death to drive, and I don’t know why. Okay, I’m babbling now.”

Her lips turn upward. “My GPA is 3.95. I have a full-ride scholarship. Thank goodness.”

“That makes me very proud. What made you want to be an attorney? Money?” I want to support her, be there for her. I also want her to know she will never have to do anything just for money again.

She shakes her head. “No, I don’t think so. I want to be something, you know? Something important, special.” She smiles. “At first, I wanted to be a prosecutor, but now maybe injury law. I don’t know, I guess I just know I want to be successful. Sounds dull to you, I’m sure...”

“Well, I think I do.” There’s a moment of hesitation. “I’ve always been creative, as well. When I was little I used to design whole houses for my dolls. My parents bought me a few at garage sales and thrift stores, and I couldn’t ever complete all of them because the pieces are expensive, but I still loved doing the designing, even when I was little like that. Only thing is, how do you combine creativity with the law?”

I nod, slipping my hand slightly behind her neck. “I get it, and maybe there’s a way you can have both in your life. You are a very good girl. I’m proud of you.” I pause, clearing my throat. “You will always keep your grades up. Do you understand?”

There’s a flicker of confusion in her eyes as I stand, and she looks up at me. “Sure.”

“Good girl. There are other things you will do, things I will require. But in time we will talk about that. For now, I want you to get dressed. We are going out.”

“I want to show you something. I want your opinion on some things.” I intended to ask her for help with the house redesign before, but now, knowing it’s something that feeds her, I’m anxious to get going and have her involved in my life.

She squints up at me, and I see a young woman, but I also see a little girl, and I realize I will never be able to sleep again without her by my side. I need to know where she is, if she is safe. As well, I need to touch her, taste her, fuck her, own her...there’s a new man born in me, and it will be her responsibility to take care of him.

I’ve packed a lot of life into my own forty-one years. Built my own sort of empire, one with a foundation of danger and less-than-legal activities. One that could place her in harm’s way, which is why I now need to make a new life. One that she deserves.

I breathe in her delicious scent, making my mouth water, and long to taste every part of her. In my life, if there was something I've wanted, I've stopped at nothing to make it happen. And I’ve never wanted anything like I want her.

She’s not wearing a bra under the T-shirt, and I think of tearing it open and sucking hard on the peaks of the nipples I see pressing into the fabric.

Instead, I trace her jawline with my thumb, my need to keep my hand on her throat stronger than even I understand. Her skin is flawless. Her face a masterpiece. I’m memorizing every line and contour so I can carry her with me always, even in my dreams.

I give her ass a quick swat as she walks to her bedroom, and she spins her head around to look back, biting her bottom lip, but doesn’t say anything else. And from the way she twitches her ass and skips the rest of the way to the bedroom, I’d say my swat hit the spot.

When her bedroom door closes, I can’t fight my need any longer. I lean against the doorjamb just as I did last night after I touched her in bed. I release my cock and start to stroke, imagining her naked behind that door, water running over each amazing curve.