Page 26 of Daddies of the Underworld

And chances were good she’d not eaten a bite. I knocked and waited. Unlike Luca, who considered a closed door as available as an open one, I waited.

And waited.

Then I knocked again, this time with slightly more force while eying both her guards. If someone managed to get into her room from another angle…

“I’m fine.” Nina’s voice came out muffled, almost like she had a pillow against her face.

“Nina, open the door.” I had just enough time to ease my hands into my pockets before the door crashed open with a whoosh of air.

She stood in front of me in a loose white shirt that hit mid-thigh, socks, and nothing else. Her hair framed her face, and dark shadows framed her eyes. “What?”

“May I come in?”

Her stiff posture relaxed at the request, and she stepped back, sweeping an arm out in a mockery of an invitation. “Why not.” With that, she turned and walked away, giving me a glimpse of her ass on her way to the window seat.

I needed to evaluate that spot from the outside again. I’d done it once already, but twice wouldn’t hurt. Viktor was a wily bastard. I didn’t dare leave a single thing to chance.

Nina curled up, her knees pulled to her chest. “I want to go outside. Alone.”

“No.” My blood heated in a furious rush that demanded I protect her. Our girl. Luca said it first, but we’d all been thinking it. In only a few days, she managed to become part of our lives.

Her lips curled. “You put extra guards on the stairs. I’m not allowed to leave the villa.” She raised her hands and let them fall.

Anyone else might read anger in the motion and her words.

Anger was there, but just under the surface, was fear.

She tried to hide it with exaggerated motions and harsh words, but her voice hitched, and she kept glancing toward the window like she couldn’t decide if she was safe there. “And?” I knew the question would goad her, but she needed the release. Too much pent up fear turned volatile.

She flew up from the seat, coming straight for me in a series of long-legged strides. “I didn’t ask for this. I came here to work. I need this job. And you…” She poked me in the chest, her chin quivering so hard she couldn’t continue.

“I know.” I wrapped my fingers around her wrist and pressed her palm flat against my chest, right over my heart. “And we trapped you in a room and now your life is in danger.”

She sniffed while nodding, her expression clearing. “Exactly. And I want to take a walk. Alone.”

I patted the back of her hand. Luca had promised to comfort her. He’d either done a shit job or this had brewed up once he left. “I know how to keep you safe, Nina. For now, that means staying inside or going to the garden terrace.”

“That’s not enough.” Her hand fisted, and she raised it enough to thump my chest. “You’ve taken my freedom to keep me safe, and I appreciate that. Really I do. I’m not trying to be a diva, but I can’t live like this. I can’t breathe in her.”

“No?” Again, knowing would infuriate her, I raised one eyebrow. “You seem to be breathing rather well.”

A screech built in the back of her throat and came out as a groaning croak. She thumped my chest again. “You’re an asshole.”

“Yes.” No need in denying it. “And this asshole is going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe.”

“What if I run away?”

“Then I’ll catch you.” Oh how that did spark some ideas. I dipped my head so we were eye level. “There’s only one game I play, Nina, and it plays out my way.”

She swayed closer, her gaze locked on mine. “I keep trying to hate you. Everything I said is true. I want out of here. It’s all too pretty. Too…perfect.” She pressed both hands to my shoulders and shoved.

I grabbed her wrists and pulled her to my chest, locking her there with my arms around her waist. “Then it suits you, because I have thought you were perfect since the moment I laid eyes on you.”

Her lips parted, a tiny catch in her breath. Then she kissed me, her lips luscious and firm.

I could give her many things. Safety, for one. But I could not give her freedom if it came at the cost of her life. I could give her a moment to forget about the world outside if she would let me. I broke off the kiss. “Nina.”

“Don’t. Don’t ask questions.” She tugged on my hands, pulling them to her waist. “You kissed me in a closet in the middle of gunfire. Either you’re very good at pretending or you want this as much as I do.”