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5
MICELI
Staring out the window overlooking the property, I watched as Lucas and Ms. Attwood—Collins talked with Benny and Antonio while my men worked on Collins’ vehicle. When she smiled, it was like being gut punched. My dick thickened. My heart lodged in my throat. Still, I couldn’t shake the idea there was more to her. She was definitely hiding something, what I’d figure out, eventually. For now, Rocca was safe with her.
Me...
Fuck.
I’d brought home the woman I kept in my black book when I needed company. How stupid of me. I should have met her at the hotel and continued our dalliances there. However, with all the information Soren had given me over the last forty-eight hours, I could admit I was off my game. Brooke—as she was known in the modeling world—approached me at a corporate function, something I loathed. The ache in my dick caused by the one and only Collins, the same ache I couldn’t do anything about, had left me stupid and horny.
Instead of walking away, I took Brooke up on her offer and brought her back to the estate. She was perfect to let off some steam with and knew her place in our society. I could fuck all the angsty bullshit out of my system and relieve the stress slithering through my veins. Maybe even forget for a moment Collins existed and was within a fingertip’s reach.
Murphy’s law laughed in my face.
The minute my lips pressed to Brooke’s and my hand slipped between her thighs, my dick went soft and the unrelenting arousal that pounded through my body, leaving me famished, and on edge, disappeared. I’d never experienced anything of the sort before. Even Brooke going to her knees to suck me off didn’t work. So, I had one of my men escort her home. There was no point in frustrating both of us anymore than I already had.
It appeared Collins figuratively had me by the balls. Worst part, she probably didn’t even know it. Yes, there was the instance in the entertainment room early in the week, but other than the one instance, she’d given me a wide birth, and I suppose I did the same. Turning away from the window, I went back to work. I had a score to settle with a certain family and pining after a young woman who had no clue what my world entailed wouldn’t help me catch a killer or those responsible for terrorizing my daughter. Collins was a distraction. She could get me killed.
“Daddy,” Rocca said, stepping into my office. “I don’t think I feel very well.”
I frowned. Rocca rarely got sick. When she did, well, it wasn’t pretty. “What’s wrong?” I was out of my seat in an instant and in front of her. “What hurts? Do you think you have a fever?”
She shook her head. Her cheeks were a rosy color, indicative of her falling ill. “It’s not a cold or my stomach. I feel... Achy.” She put her hand over her lower belly and terror filled me. It could be her appendix or her intestines. It could be her bladder or... Anything.
“Do you need the doctor to come out and check you over?” ‘The doctor,’ was actually another assassin like me. His kill sheet was longer than mine and he did his job with such a precision, I believed he’d never get caught. He was also the best in the medical field. We all went to him when someone got hurt. “It’s no trouble,luce dei miei occhi. Whatever you need.” Rocca was my everything. My light. My heart. Whatever she wanted, I’d give it to her.
She looked away. The pink in her cheeks darkened. “Maybe Collins can help me.” She’d spoken the words so softly. Had I not been paying attention, I might have missed what she said.
“Oh...Oh!Yes, well, of course.” I cleared my throat. Rocca was twelve. Twelve. These life lessons were something a mother should teach their daughter, not that I was misogynistic about parenting roles or anything, but this... I was in over my head. Rosalina would have known exactly what to do. “She’s outside right now. Do you want me to take you to her?”
Rocca shook her head. “No.”
I lifted my hands in surrender. “Of course,luce dei miei occhi. There is no reason to be embarrassed, though. It’s natural. Every woman—” She gave me a stern look. “Right. I will remain here.”
As she left the office, I went back to the window. She might not want me to go with her, but I would watch over her. I sighed. My daughter was no longer a little girl. She was growing up right before my eyes. In these moments, I wished Rosalina was still here to witness all of our daughter’s milestones.
Rocca appeared on the pathway in front of my office and tentatively walked toward the group of people outside. All of them knew her by now. Benny and Antonio were her protectors. It would be interesting to see how they’d react to the news, though I had a feeling she wouldn’t say anything in front of them. Collins lifted her head and smiled as Rocca drew near, then frowned. She took Rocca into the house and when they emerged more than a half an hour later, all three of the men, including Collins’ brother, stared at them in concern. She waved them off, then escorted Rocca back to the main house.
In those few seconds, I was grateful there was another woman young enough to help Rocca out in this situation. Obviously, Mrs. Petry could have done the same for Rocca, however, I understood why my daughter hadn’t gone to her. Collins was closer to Rocca’s age. A soft knock came at my door before Rocca entered, Collins following behind her.
“All is well?” I cocked a brow.
Rocca nodded. “Better.”
“Good. Thank you, Collins, for helping us out,” I said.
“Not a problem, though you might want to take her shopping, you know, for products.” She coughed, her cheeks turning a dark shade of crimson. I found it adorable and exciting. “Not sure who you’d send, though.”
“You,” I replied, without hesitation. “I’ll have Robbie take you and Rocca to the store. Anything you need, buy it.” I opened the top drawer on the desk and grabbed my card. “Use this. If your brother needs anything as well, please get it for him.”
Collins stepped back. Surprise and fear flashed across her features before she cleared them. “That’s very generous of you, Mr. Daidone. I appreciate the offer, but Lucas and I are fine. Plus, I received my debit card. Again, thank you for that too.”
Yes, I was definitely missing something with her. What? I hoped Soren could soon fill me in. “Then it’s settled. I’ll have Robbie meet both of you downstairs. Rocca, please do what Ms. Attwood and Robbie tell you. Buy whatever you like,mi amour.” I handed the black AMEX to Collins, then kissed the top of Rocca’s head. “Perhaps I should have something special made for the occasion.”
“Daddy,” Rocca warned. “Don’t embarrass me.”
“Never,luce dei miei occhi,” I replied. “I only meant for dinner.” I glanced at Collins. “You and your brother are welcomed to join us as well.”
