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He watched as the old man looked a little shaken. Damon didn’t move. It took a great deal to hurt him. He was a force to be reckoned with.
Once he was alone, he felt his cell phone buzz. Pulling it out of his pocket, he saw it was a call from Randy.
“What is it?”
“I wanted you to know she’s here, and she’s safe.”
“Good.”
“I don’t like this. I don’t like talking to you about her behind her back.”
Damon smiled. “She has your loyalty.”
“I agreed with her father to help her when she needs it. I feel you’re her best ally right now.”
“But you don’t like me?”
“You know I don’t.”
“Not a lot you can do about it. You know I’m your only hope at keeping her alive, and they’re going to do all they can to try to kill her or marry her off.”
Randy grumbled. “She hasn’t said anything about your meeting today. I don’t know if she’s going to agree with you.”
Damon sighed. “If she knew what was good for her, she’d do it.”
“Isabella is a strong woman. She’s been through a lot and she’s fought a lot of people to get where she is.”
“Did she have to fight you?” He hadn’t thought of Randy fighting her. Philip had been open and honest with him. All of his soldiers had fought her at some point. She was a lot stronger than she appeared, and he got that, appreciated it, and had no doubt there was a fighter inside her threatening to get out.
“Do you really want to know the answer to that question?”
“I need to know if you’re loyal to her,” he said.
“You know I am and to her father.”
“How far does that loyalty go?” Randy was a good-looking man, even if he was the bastard of a soldier.
“What are you trying to say?”
“I’m not blind. I know how sexy she is. I imagine it’s quite hard to be around her all day and not think about doing a lot more than looking. Do you let your hands wander?”
“A capo you may be one day, Damon Romano, but don’t you ever imply that my intentions are any less than honorable. Isabella is a wonderful person and I see her as more of a daughter than anything else. I will take care of her.”
“Then you make sure that she’s protected. If she doesn’t follow their orders or makes waves for them, they will come for her.” He hung up his cell phone and took a seat.
All he wanted to do was get drunk and forget about everything that was his current problem. Running a hand down his face, he leaned back and recalled the memory of talking to Philip Drago.
“Why did you bring me here, old man? You’re not supposed to be showing any kind of weakness,” Damon said. He’d never been called to Philip Drago’s house for personal business before. This was all new for him. He respected this man, even if he did seem to be knocking on death’s door.
“Let’s cut the crap. You know why I want you here and it’s not for shits or giggles.”
“Your daughter.”
“You need a wife.”
Damon raised his brow. “And you think your little girl is woman enough for me.”
“I think you don’t even know how lucky you are that I’m considering you for my little girl. Don’t make the mistake a lot of men have made.”
The sudden shouting and fighting from the screen drew his attention. Philip had turned on the television. Rolling his eyes, he watched.
Isabella was on the screen and what he saw blew his mind. He’d never seen such a strong or determined woman. He licked his dry lips, taken aback by the scene. Her hair stuck to her forehead, and her face was red, but she stood tall, proud, almost begging for the men to fight her.
Pulling out of the memory, Damon released a sigh. Whatever happened, he really needed to win this woman once and for all. It wasn’t just about keeping his promise to her father, which he would do. No. This was now about his own sanity and without her, he was nothing. He needed her to survive, to love, to thrive, to flourish, and he alone could protect her.Chapter Three“Ouch!” Tears sprang to her eyes as she ran the brush through her long locks. Some of them didn’t want to be brushed.
“You okay?” Randy asked.
She dropped the hairbrush and shrugged. “Not really. My hair doesn’t seem to like me.” She pouted.
“How did your meeting go today?”
“As if you don’t know.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not a fool. I know you’re helping him in some way.”
Randy sighed. “Your father did say you’d be aware of everything going on.”
“I told you. I know you and I know Damon wouldn’t be working alone.” She turned, crossed her legs beneath her, and gave Randy her full attention. “Come on then, what do you think?”
