AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Fynn puts a hand over his heart. “Would I do such a thing?”
Marco points at him, all business. “I fucking mean it. I can’t keep up with the women you screw around with, and Georgie is off-limits, too. Do you know how hard it is to find good help around here?”
“Wait a minute,” Fynn fires back. “How come you’re allowed to claim the Bratva princess and Enzo’s playing house with our little sister, and yet Dante and I can’t dip our nibs in a little office ink or with Rayne’s hot, damaged little sister? It seems grossly unfair.”
Fynn has always been the class clown. We’re used to him, but him calling her damaged just about has me wrapping my hand around his throat.
I glance at Marco. He’s watching me with one piqued eyebrow.Shit.It seems my thoughts aren't as secret as I thought.
“Rayne said Mia’s in a good place right now,” Angelo goes on. “And she trusts you, Dante. You were her knight in shining armor. I don’t want her freaking out and blabbing to her friends. She knows how important it is that they know the cover story and nothing more.”
“So you want me to babysit her? I’m sure that’s gonna go down well.”
“She’s a part of this family now,” Angelo reminds me. “She’ll get used to it.”
I curse under my breath. I don’t want this. It’s enough of a temptation being around her in the same house as everyone. I can’t even imagine miles away in the privacy of a hotel room. I try to control my thoughts. This won’t get any of us anywhere.
There is no arguing with my brother. “So, who’s going to reschedule my entire week?” I say, looking at Marco. “You?”
“I’ll get Georgie and Helena to take care of your meetings. It’ll only be a few days. Stop being a fucking baby.”
“Darko will go with you,” Angelo says. “Just to be sure.”
Dom, who is Angelo’s bodyguard, has only just returned from light duties back to his usual routine after being shot all those months ago. Rocco is undoubtedly needed here. It’s not like he spends a single second away from Sloane.
He stands by the door, keeping guard, even when Angelo’s told him a million times to come and sit and play a round. Rocco will never change.
“How is Dom doing?” Marco asks out of nowhere.
“Nothing can keep that fucker down for too long,” Angelo says. “He’ll be back on duty this week. I don’t really want to send him all the way to New York on his first week back.”
It seems everyone in this room has suffered from some sort of trauma; it’s just the way of things in the Familia. Even Enzo survived being shot, and our little sister, Valentina, fired the bullet that killed his attacker. It’s not just the men that are tough in this family.
“I’ll rent a place in the city,” Angelo goes on. “The movers will meet you at Mia’s apartment. It shouldn’t take more than two days. She’ll have time to see her friends and say her goodbyes.”
“Is this what Mia wants?” I find myself asking.
Angelo frowns. “Why would you care about that?”
I shrug. “It’s a reasonable enough question. She works for me, and I want to ensure she’s happy. If she’s not, the business will suffer.” I tell so many lies when it comes to her that I should go to hell for it.
“Ask her yourself if you’re so concerned about her happiness,” Angelo says. “Rayne said she agreed to move, and she’s pleased about it. A fresh start and all that. But by all means, check with her first.”
“I don’t know why you’re getting all pissy,” I retort. “I’m the one having to lose two days of work here to do what Darko could be doing by himself.”
I don’t trust myself to be alone with her in a strange city. I know I want more with Mia, and the temptation to start something with her is too much.
When I think about what I did to her, the sweet sound of her moans, the feel of her coming all over my fingers. I shift awkwardly in my seat.
I barely get through poker night. My heart isn’t in it as I plan in my head what the fuck I’m gonna say, or do, for two days in close proximity to her. At least at Bijou I can make it look like I’m actually there to do work.
* * *
The weekend rolls around fast, and I pull up outside Angelo’s townhouse.
I decided I’d drive. I have a large black Ford Raptor that I love, but don’t get to drive that much. It should fit all the bags the girls have decided to pack for two days away.
As I load their suitcases into the trunk, Mia comes out and gives me a shy smile. I stop dead in my tracks.
