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I shake my head vigorously. “I have no idea,” I tell him truthfully. “I’ve never seen them before.” I whisper, “I was hoping I was wrong about them watching me and I’m grateful you were there when I needed you.”
Sergio leans back in his chair while giving me an appraising look. “I’ll always be there when you need me and watching out for you, la mia piccola bellezza.” When he stands up and holds his hand out for me, I don’t hesitate to slide my hand into his. “Now, it’s time to get you back to work so your grandfather can eat.”
Even hours later, when Sergio is long gone, I can feel the heat from his skin against mine and I sigh. I don’t know when I’ll see him again, but everything in me longs for him. I’ve never felt this way before and I’m not entirely sure what to do about it.
4
SERGIO
My woman is a sight to behold. If I wasn’t sure about her being mine, which I was from the moment I saw her, I would have known when she looked up at me with fear and relief in her eyes after I wrapped my arm around her on the corner close to her bookstore a few days ago. With Zinnia at home, I was left with a little time on my hands, and I wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass me by to spend some time with Marigold.
I’m glad as fuck I did because I noticed the two guys watching the bookstore as I was coming around the corner. Seeing them put me on edge and I knew they were a threat to my girl. I was thinking of a way to approach them to let them know Marigold and her grandfather, along with their store, are under Agosti protection when my blonde beauty stepped out of the shop.
I swear my heart stopped when I saw her because I couldn’t stop thinking about what could happen if I wasn’t there to watch over her. I could almost feel the nervousness and tension rolling off her. It filled me with pride to know she was aware of her surroundings enough to know something wasn’t right. Still, awareness wouldn’t have protected her if I weren’t there.
I’ve never seen those guys before, but once I had Marigold pressed up against me, making sure she was safe became more important than finding out who they are. I have no doubt they’ll pop up again.
Which is why I’ve been watching Turning Pages for the last few days. I’ve also been texting with my woman since she graced me with her phone number after our impromptu lunch date at the deli. She wasn’t wrong either, they had some damn good pastrami.
Every time I get a text from her, I can’t help but smile which isn’t something I’m used to doing. There is an undeniable light around her. I can only hope pulling her into my world doesn’t dim that light. I’ll kill anyone who tries to do that to her. To us.
I’m walking the block around Turning Pages, looking for those guys who were watching her a few days ago. There’s something about the encounter that I can’t put my finger on, but my gut is telling me to watch out for my woman and not let my guard down. I could guard her better if I was inside the store, but I don’t want her to worry if I’m wrong and I’m just being paranoid.
My job and the people I associate with could have me seeing demons when there aren’t any. It’s possible, even if I have learned to trust my gut.
I’m at the end of the block and passing by the alley behind the bookstore and dance studio when I hear a man’s voice and stop. “You need to tell that old man in there it’s time to sell.”
A different voice follows, “Our boss has been more than generous with his offer to buy the place. It would be such a shame for it to go up in flames considering how much paper is inside to fuel the fire.”
My body goes rigid, and I start to walk down the alley, keeping to the shadows as my heart starts to pound in my chest. I can’t see either man, but I have a feeling it’s my woman who is facing off against them. If I move too fast, it’ll take away the element of surprise.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” there’s defiance and fear mixed into Marigold’s voice which makes my feet move faster.
“Whatever, bitch,” one of the men sneers, “you know exactly what we’re talking about. This place is a shithole, and the old man has been offered plenty of money to sell to make way for something newer and better.”
“No one has made an offer,” Marigold insists, but even I can hear the doubt in her voice.
“You should have said yes when our boss asked you out,” there’s a threat in the man’s voice and it makes me want to beat him within an inch of his life.
“I don’t know who you’re talking about,” Marigold’s voice is high and tight as if she’s on the verge of losing it.
“Mr. Lang gave you a golden opportunity. Your grandfather should have sold the business when he was approached, and you should have taken him up on his invitation. You don’t say no to Mr. Lang.”
I almost bark out a laugh because I know men who you shouldn’t say no to and whoever they’re talking about isn’t even on my radar. I’ve never heard of him. He’s going to be in a world of hurt if he keeps pursuing my woman.
My woman sniffles and I move a little closer. When I hear the sound of flesh hitting flesh and my woman cry out, I step out of the shadows and roar at the sight which greets me. Both men are towering over my woman who looks scared. One is holding her arm in a grip I know will leave bruises behind. When her head whips around, her gray eyes wide with fear and unshed tears, I can already see her face swelling slightly where one of these assholes with a death wish has slapped her.
I stalk closer and the man who isn’t holding onto my woman tries to step in front of her, but it’s not to protect her, it’s so he can try to stop me from getting involved. I growl at his actions and fear swirls through his eyes before he masks it.
I bite out each word, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing to my woman?”
“Your woman? I don’t think so,” the man who is touching Marigold challenges me.
Big fucking mistake. My eyes zero in on her upper arm and she flinches when his fingers tighten further. “Get your fucking hands off her before you find you don’t have a hand anymore. Not that you’ll need one, not even to jack off, where I’ll be sending you,” my voice is ice cold, menacing, and filled with truthful promise.
The man’s eyes widen as the asshole who thinks he’s going to run interference in this situation speaks up, “You should walk away now. You don’t know what you’re getting involved in.”
Marigold looks at me and whimpers, “Sergio.”
