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“The men?”
“The Gaspar family.”
Again, that family. Two different people that mention them.
Twice that I’m made aware of how little respect they have for our territory if they’re harassing people here.
“This is the last time I’ll ask you this, kid. I want the full story.” Giannis takes in a deep breath and then lets it out slowly. He looks to be giving himself a mental pep talk, one that is taking too long. “The clock is ticking.”
“We met in school after our fathers became close. Dinners, fundraisers, even the occasional BBQ while they talked politics and money with the donors at these functions. And because we were stuck there, we hung out. Nothing more. Our parents saw that, though, and a passing hello became a forced conversation or you two don’t move from here while they socialized. It just became our thing.”
“Keep going.” My hand closest to the gun twitches, and he shrinks back. His fear overwhelms the room in a way that soothes the need within me to spill his blood. “And get to the point. My patience only lasts but so long.”
“They wanted us together at first.” At first? “Her father wants my father’s connections while my father wanted an insider to push his employer’s agenda, and through marriage they’d forge the bond. No one asked if we so much as tolerated each other; we were not given a choice.”
That word again: choice. What else have they taken from you, beautiful?
“Why at first?”
“Because I don’t see her that way, and our fathers made a very costly mistake.”
“What way? What bloody mistake?”
“The latter is more important than how I see her.” He stands to retake his seat, watching me as he does and then leans back. He looks knackered, nothing like the cocky arse inside the lounge a few days ago. “Because this involves money my father owes the Gaspar family while Mr. Rubens incarcerated their old boss. The Gaspars want blood and retribution, and right now, I’m here to watch out for her. She may think I’m an asshole, but I stay close to try and dissuade them as much as I can. My father still has hope that she’ll be the one.”
Then it clicks.
“You made the fake corporation to buy this place?” He nods in answer, head down and not meeting my eyes. “On your own?” Another barely visible nod. “Why the fuck would you cross a man like Malcolm Asher? Did you really believe no one would notice?”
“Because I fear for her safety more than mine.” Those words immediately calm the raging ire flowing through my veins. I’m looking at him differently, putting together puzzle pieces that will ultimately rain blood down on the streets of this city. “And without many choices, I picked one of two names they will not cross. It’s all I could do to help.”
“Asher and who else?” I ask when he doesn’t divulge, and only when another bullet dislodges, this time near his sock-clad feet, does he look up. A horror-filled expression overtakes his features, yet there’s a hint of determination in his eyes that I admire. Most men wouldn’t meet my stare head on unless it’s for someone they care about. “Why are you so protective?”
“Asher and the Jamesons. They want no problems with you.” Tears brim in his eyes then, and he gives me a forced smile. “I’m a shithead most of the time and can be very self-absorbed, but I don’t want her hurt. And while I don’t see her in a romantic light—I just can’t—I’m begging you not to hurt her.”
“You have my word that I won’t.”
He lets out a ragged breath. “Thank you, Mr. Jameson.”
“What are you not telling me?”
That makes him pause, a small bit of blush staining his cheeks. “The reason I’m not attracted to Aliana is because I’m in love with someone else. I see her more like a cousin or annoying sibling when she’s being hardheaded, but nothing romantic.” At my raised brow, he lets out a small chuckle, but it’s done out of nervousness. “I have a boyfriend, sir. I’m in love with my soulmate.”
And just like that, he’s been born again.
I won’t kill him if he’s telling the truth.
At least not today. He can be of use. He’s going to become my eyes and ears on the inside.
“Meeting the day after tomorrow,” Casper says the moment I answer my mobile after exiting the townhome where Giannis has been hiding. It’s a little late, just after six in the evening, and my girl is finally home from work. I left him to get himself sorted; he’s to expect my call within the next twenty-four hours to come clean to Aliana. Because what he said, and my own conclusions have left a bitter taste in my mouth; my little Venus being anything but happy doesn’t sit well with me. Fucking infuriates me, and I’ve accepted the fact that I’ll kill to protect her. May the universe have mercy on anyone who makes her so much as frown. “We have a lead.”
“Time and place.” My plan has always been to catch a very late flight out. I’m not leaving without a taste of her natural sweetness.
“Early afternoon and my home.”
“I’ll be back in London by—”
“You’re still in Chicago?” His surprised tone any other day would’ve had me giving him shit, but I’m not in the mood. Right now, he’s not my boss or cousin and being polite isn’t on my list of priorities.
