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“We won’t,” Anthony said firmly, his chest rumbling under her cheek.
“I can’t ask you to get involved. They’re dangerous.”
Anthony’s large body shook slightly under her. She leaned back to look at him, incredulous. “Are you… laughing?”
His expression was gentle as he shrugged. “Thank you for telling me your story, fiamella. I think it’s time I told you mine.”
Kaylie’s eyes widened. She nodded and pulled herself away from where she’d been laying on his chest. It probably should have felt awkward. They’d crossed a boundary she’d been so careful to keep. But she still couldn’t let herself pretend this was more than it was.
She settled on the other side of the couch, grabbing her mug. She looked at him, waiting for him to share whatever he was going to. Understanding the man in front of her felt extremely important, and she had a feeling that whatever he chose to share would be something that most people didn’t get to know about Anthony.
“I grew up in Chicago,” he started. “My father is Mario Olson.” Kaylie didn’t recognize the name but kept listening. “When I was younger, he was the kingpin of the Chicago mob. As far as the world knows, he was betrayed by his consigliere and is serving a life sentence.”
Kaylie’s mouth fell open. There was no way the man next to her was born into the Chicago mob. He was everything she knew those men weren’t.
Anthony was honorable, kind, and good.
He grimaced. “I know. It’s awful,” he said, his eyes sliding to a spot behind her. He almost seemed to be talking to himself. “The things I did for him…” The anguish on his face made her want to cry for the little boy he’d been back then. “I’ll never be able to undo them. It’s who I am.” Quickly, he schooled his features into the stone-faced expression she’d grown so familiar with.
Kaylie felt the argument building in her chest. She wanted to shake him until he realized that the things he’d done didn’t define him. He wasn’t the scared young man he’d been back then.
“I left the minute I turned eighteen. I joined the military, moved up the ranks. Eventually left and joined up with my buddy Flint when he created Black Tower Security.” His eyes found hers. “We’re highly trained operatives, Kaylie. The best in the world. The President of the United States has us on speed dial.” His soft chuckle just added to the incredulity of the statement.
Her mind swirled with the implications of his confession. She instinctively believed everything he said about Black Tower and their skills. But reconciling the honorable Anthony Olson with the son of a mob leader wasn’t quite so easy. He’d gotten out and built a life for himself.
Just like she had. Except her past didn’t want to let go. And now she was dragging him back into the same kind of mess he’d left behind.
“I need you to believe me when I tell you that Moreno and his lackeys are no match for Black Tower. For me.” He leaned forward, leaning his elbows on his knees. “I don’t expect you to trust someone with my background. I grew up destined to be exactly like the monster you ran away from. But I promise, Kaylie, we can keep you safe.”
His eyes bore into hers, waiting for a response.
“Why?” The question that had been plaguing her since Anthony’s very first kindness to her slipped out.
A wrinkle formed between his brow.
“Why would you do this for me?” she reiterated.
Anthony’s eyes shifted and he pulled back his hand. Kaylie immediately missed the warmth.
“It’s part of Black Tower’s mission,” he said, “to protect those who can’t protect themselves.”
Kaylie nodded as though she understood, but she didn’t. It was a perfectly acceptable answer. One that explained why Anthony was so confident that Black Tower would help. But she couldn’t deny that his answer left her feeling disappointed.
It was foolish, but part of her had wanted him to admit that he was protecting her for another reason. A more personal reason. But if he wasn’t feeling the same pull toward her as she was to him, then she needed to accept that and just be grateful for the protection his company was willing to provide.
“So what do we do?”
A flicker of a smile flashed on Anthony’s face at her agreement.
CHAPTER
SEVENTEEN
Despite the cartoons on the television and the leftover pizza lunch still spread on the coffee table, the air in Anthony's house hung heavy with tension. Kaylie clutched Lia close to her chest. Anthony's presence beside her offered some comfort, but the fear for her daughter's safety eclipsed everything else. Anthony said he’d made some calls, but they were still waiting on word about Drew or any movement from Moreno.
With a cartoon dog dancing on the screen, the quiet atmosphere suddenly shattered. The sound of the front door exploding open echoed through the house. Kaylie's heart leaped into her throat, and she tightened her grip on Lia.
Next to her, Anthony moved instantly, placing himself between them and the imminent threat. His broad shoulders and strong frame seemed to expand as he created a protective barrier. Despite the fear coursing through her veins, Kaylie couldn't help but notice the way his demeanor had suddenly shifted. There was a steeliness in his gaze, a sudden intensity that she hadn't seen before. This was Anthony in battle mode.
