I smile at the two Irishmen, letting them see the predator behind the civilized facade. They know who I am—I can tell by the way their expressions shift from confident to wary. They thought Elena was here alone. Vulnerable and unprotected.
Wrong.
I pull Elena closer and press a kiss to the top of her head. The scent of her shampoo fills my lungs—jasmine and vanilla. My hand splays possessively across her shoulder, thumb stroking her collarbone. Making my message crystal clear to everyone watching.
Touch her and you start a war with the Rossos. Elena belongs to us now. Belongs to me. And I protect what's mine.
"This isn't over, Miss Messina," one of them says. "Do you think Daddy Rosso will save you?" the same man continues, his Dublin accent thick with mockery. "Because Elio sure as shit doesn't care. Look how he scurries away without protecting you."
Elena's grip on my waist tightens. I can feel her trembling slightly. The trembling makes me want to break both these men in half.
I pull her from her seat and position her behind me. Use my body as a shield between her and the Irishmen. My hand goes to my weapon automatically. Not drawing it. Just making sure they see where my hand is.
"You know who I am, yes?" I ask them conversationally.
They laugh but there's an edge to it that tells me they're not as confident as they're pretending to be.
I lean in closer, lowering my voice so Elena hopefully can't hear what I'm about to say. "Elio is a piece of shit. He's the one who owes the debt, not her. Now fuck off and go after him for your payment. Go on, little boys, go get him." I gesture toward the back exit where her father disappeared. "He went that way."
I let my hand rest on my weapon now. Let them see it. Let them understand exactly what I'm promising.
"This is your only warning. I don't give second chances. Leave Elena alone."
I straighten up and stare at them. Let them see exactly what will happen if they don't heed my advice. I've killed men for less. Will kill them without hesitation if they so much as breathe in Elena's direction again.
Both men look back at me with expressions that are equal parts frustrated and calculating.
The second man speaks up and his words send ice through my veins. "This is much more than that, Mr. Conti. We thought you'd be smart enough to realize that."
They turn and walk away. Melt back into the crowd like they were never there.
But their parting words echo in my head, setting off every alarm bell I have.
Much more than that.
If this isn't just about Elio's debt, then what the hell is it? What does Elena have that they want badly enough to threaten her? To follow her? To corner her in public places?
I look down at her, still pressed against my side. My arm is still around her. I realize I don't want to let go. Don't want to put any distance between us.
She's mine. The thought comes again, stronger this time. Mine to protect. Mine to keep safe. Mine.
"We need to talk," I tell her quietly. "Tonight. No more games. No more secrets."
She looks up at me with those caramel eyes. For once, I don't see defiance or anger. Just exhaustion and fear.
"Okay," she whispers.
I guide her toward the exit, my hand firm on her back. Possessive. I notice several other patrons watching us with interest. Word of this confrontation will spread through the Irish community by morning. Which means we need to be prepared for whatever comes next.
Outside, Tony has the engine running. I help Elena into the backseat and climb in beside her. She's shaking now. The adrenaline wearing off. Making her realize how close that was.
I reach over and take her hand. Thread my fingers through hers. She doesn't pull away. Just holds on tight.
"Drive," I tell Tony. "Take us home."
The ride is silent but our hands stay linked. Her thumb brushes across my knuckles. A small gesture that feels enormous.
Whatever the Costellos really want from her, it's bigger and more dangerous than a gambling debt. But they're going to have to go through me to get to her.
