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“Stay focused, and do as I say. Roman, prepare to take her back home when I call you.”
“You aren’t having her stay the night?” Dante asked.
Ivan narrowed his eyes at Dante who raised his hands slightly in retreat. They both walked away and Ivan clenched his teeth. He didn’t know what he was doing. This woman fazed him, rattled his cage, got under his skin like no other. He knew he didn’t have a right to pursue her. Knowing it would go nowhere and she would be left used and hurt. He was in no position to do commitments and she was commitment material. So what was the attraction aside from lust?
He couldn’t entertain the desire k
nowing he wouldn’t let it go too far, and would push her away because his scars ran too deep. His past too dark, too morbid for the likes of someone untainted by violence, and pain. Look what happened just last night and all because she reacted and stopped Berin from shooting him and his friends. She would be a sacrificial lamb in his world and his enemies would hunt her. The best thing to do was to set her free and to avoid her at every cost. But that didn’t mean he would leave her unprotected.
He walked back into the room to see her texting on her cell phone.
“Let’s discuss what happened and what you are allowed to say occurred since you’ll be missing a few days at minimum of work.”
“I’m all ears.” She said and held his gaze looking like she now distrusted him or maybe even hated him.
He should take advantage of this and be his typical cold self, but he hesitated and stared at her gorgeous face. He was mesmerized by those big green eyes that glowed against soft, olive skin as if she were exotic and a rare specimen of woman. His cock hardened, his arousal once again rising with this woman. A need, a carnal desire to take her, claim her, possess her filled his body. He fought against it. She deserved better. She deserved normal, not a monster like him.
“You will do as I say or the consequences won’t be pleasant.”
****
An hour later Annabella sighed as she looked out the window. She regretted the argument, the nasty words she said on the defensive, yet knew it was the best reaction so she wouldn’t get fooled by a man like Ivan. His kiss was soft, his embrace gentle, yet she still thought of it now while Roman and Mirnon drove her out of the city and back to the Point. She should be relieved he got her message of not becoming one of his controlled women. A woman he would use then kick to the curb. He wasn’t commitment material. He was trouble, he was dark, mysterious, yes, and oh so very sexy and charming in his own deep way, but no good. Not the kind of man who would make her happy. Make her feel complete. Make her think of nothing but him first and always.
She wanted unconditional love. A man who would live and breathe her, understand her, understand her fears, her past and the terrible way her family was taken from her and the way she nearly lost her life too. Maybe deep down inside she believed he could be that man because he was a made man. A man who killed, who was capable of killing, who saw violence, who probably committed violence…oh God I’m falling in love with a criminal? An image, a fantasy I’m creating in my head. It has to be the whole virgin thing. It has to be. She shook her head, and felt the ache. She gasped and leaned back against the seat.
Here she was, being driven by guards of a gangster, after she risked her life to ensure such gangster and his guards weren’t shot. Of all the stupid things she did in her life this had to take the cake. Well, maybe not stupid. She felt good about it. Like maybe they would view her differently. Not so naive, not so incapable but rather resourceful. So why was her heart aching?
Why was she already wondering when she would see Ivan again, and why was she considering accepting his rules, his order of her not working for Vincent but instead working full time at Gables? She had a lot to think about, and no time to do it considering her head was really starting to pound. She closed her eyes and leaned into the pillow Dante brought for her for the ride and she calmed her breathing. One day at a time, it was best to keep that wall up and protect her heart, just as it had been wise to protect her virtue all these years.
****
Louisa knocked on Annabella’s bedroom door. It was slightly ajar. They locked gazes and Louisa gave a soft smile and walked in holding two cups of coffee.
“How are you feeling?”
“Surprisingly better. That constant pounding is at a low tapping.”
“Well after you eat something take some more pain killers.” Louisa said as Annabella sat up.
“What’s going on in here?” Salena asked carrying her own cup of coffee.
“Checking on tough girl here and making sure she can stay out of trouble for at least twenty four hours.” Louisa teased and Annabella chuckled as she took a sip of coffee.
“Believe me, I’ve had my fill of trouble. Between the club and all that crap it caused by Maloney kissing me and then the other night, I think I’m good for a while.” Annabella said to them.
“Honey, hate to tell you this but I don’t think that’s the case.”
“What do you mean?”
“You didn’t tell her Louisa?” Selena asked.
Annabella put down the coffee mug. “What? Just tell me.”
“There’s a big guy outside watching the house. Eve invited him in for coffee when she went out there to ask him who he was and why he was outside of our house. He said he works for Mr. Sokolov and that he’s guarding Miss. Asiago.”
Annabella’s jaw dropped. “No way. He didn’t. Oh God, what is with this man and his control issues?” She threw back the covers and then as if remembering she had a concussion she paused. Took a slow breath and then slowly stood up. “Hmm.”
“What?” Salena asked her.
