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“You’re thinking about something. Out with it.”
“We all agreed things were too easy, and I know there’s another deal, someone who wants in with our family. That’s not my business here.” Unless it has to do with Mia, but I keep that to myself and run a finger along the underside of the desk, smiling when I find the panic button. “My business is making sure nothing happens to Mia because of another rat or someone trying to fuck things up.”
“The Gheatas right now are more than decimated.”
“We have more fucking enemies than that. There’s the Russo family, who’ve been looking for a way to encroach for years—”
“Haven’t made that move yet, Christian.” But there’s steel in his voice. “I watch them. But if you think the problem with this bouncer goes beyond just selling drugs where he shouldn’t, then make sure Mia is safe.”
There’s another warning in his tone, one I choose to ignore. I’ve already gone and done that, so, yeah, no point paying it any heed. When I decide exactly what I’m doing with Mia, and how deep it might go, well, then I’ll deal with Leo and his father.
Until then? That side of things isn’t anyone else’s business.
“I’ll keep her safe, Leo.” I pause. “But she’s gonna complain. She’s going to do what she did last time.”
“She’s always had a mind of her own.”
And she’s hurting. I don’t need to say that. Oh, Mia puts up a good front, but any fool can see the pain, the self-doubt, and all the rest. I meant what I said to her. That she could have fucked every man she met before I fucked her and I wouldn’t care.
She throws me being a whore in my face, and she’s fucking right. I am. I love women. I love fucking. I’m never going to hold that against a woman who likes the same.
As long as she doesn’t do it when I’m fucking her and only her.
Funny, I never cared about that until now.
I don’t examine that or the ramifications of my meaning.
The bottom line is I want Mia as mine. However long that might be.
“Mia can have a mind of her own,” I snap, “but she can fucking well have it while doing what I say and letting me keep her safe.”
Leo starts snickering. “And if she doesn’t let you?”
“I’m not giving her a chance. I used our security company. I will want Tizio, Nicolo, and Diego on standby, but I’m going to move in to her place. Mia’s not going to be able to move without me being there.”
“And it worked so well for you last time,” Leo says.
I snort and smack my hand down on the desk. “This time, we have a united front. I’ll talk to Blake and so will fucking Theo. We all have to band together. I don’t want anything else happening to her.
“Okay. I’ll let you know when I find anything. And Christian?”
I bite back a sigh. “Yeah?”
“Keep her safe. In every way.”
* * *
After I’ve finished my calls, I leave the office because I want to keep an eye on her. And staying in there not only tempts me to breathe in and go through her space like I can take something of her from the air, like I can get in her head by touching things that are her, but it creates some kind of false dichotomy.
I don’t want her to think she’s won.
At all.
She hasn’t.
There’s also the small and significant fact if I’m going to put it out there, we’re together—whether she likes that or not isn’t my concern—I need to be seen with her.
It’s got nothing to do with getting my hands back on her. Nothing at all.
