“Don’t know.” There’s a lot of things I don’t know, and I hate it. But the unknown and my future seem to be forever linked.
Chapter Fifteen
Jenny
Three days ago, I had a gun waved in my face. Then I hung out with some Mafia princesses. Last night, I met a stupid hot music producer and was fucked by a reluctant Mafia boss. This morning, my apartment was broken into. And instead of calling the police, I called the mob.
And now, I’m sitting in a café, sipping on a latte, wearing last night’s dress, and feeling every eye on me. Every glance screams, ‘She got fucked last night and she lost her keys.’
Still, at least the latte’s good, and the strawberry scone is hitting the spot. Win. It’s got those giant sugar chunks coating the top layer, sweet on sweet.
I check my email, text my walkers, make sure payroll went out, and update the website with new pictures of the Dog of the Week contenders.
My mind flashes back to Joey’s lips on my body, and the feeling of being safe and desired. No one has ever made me feel that. It was deep, and I know to my core, it was not a fling. But something more… and unknown.
The bell on the door rings, and I can feel his eyes on me before I look up from my phone. He places both hands on my cheeks and lifts my chin to meet his gaze. But his lips are on mine before I can register his expression. The kiss is soft and hungry at the same time. When he’s done, he touches his forehead to mine.
“Are you alright?” he whispers.
“I’m chilly,” I confess. The tiny dress from last night wasn’t designed for warmth. He immediately takes off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. It’s heavy and soft and smells like him. “Have you gone to my place yet?”
As soon as I see the red on his knuckles, I solve the problem.
“Donny and Thiago are in there now,” he says as he slides into the seat across from me.
His eyes drift down from my face, over my body and onto the plate in front of me. He lingers on the scone. I push it toward him and there’s a brief hesitation, like he’s debating if he should. But the temptation proves too much, and he breaks off a piece.
That’s what I’ve noticed about him. He gives in to his temptations more often than he’s willing to admit.
I reach across the table and rub my thumb across his knuckles. He starts to pull back, as if he’s ashamed or hiding something. But when I don’t move my hand, he stops pulling away. “I guess there was someone in there.”
He nods then frowns. “How much is your security deposit?”
Oh no. “Two month’s rent. Seven grand.”
He groans. “Damn, you’re getting expensive.” His lips curl up. “I’m sure we can work something out.”
“How much damage did you do to my apartment?”
He reaches for another bite of the scone and sighs. “Windows aren’t important to you, are they?”
I immediately imagine glass everywhere. Wind and rain soaking my carpet and sofa. I glance out the window to the bright blue morning sky. Okay, no rain right now, so that’s a future-me problem.
Joey dips his head. “I’ll have one of my guys replace your window.” He nods, sighs, then mumbles under his breath, “And your coffee table and the TV.”
I frown. “It seems your choices are what’s getting expensive.” I take the last sip of the barely dissolved sugar and cold milky coffee. “Can I go home?”
He stands and towers over me, his presence taking all the air in the café. “I’m going to take you back to your place, you’re packing a bag for a few days, and you’re staying with me.”
This doesn’t seem to be up for negotiation. And honestly, there’s no point in fighting it. He’s trying his best to keep me safe, pointing out his failing isn’t going to help.
He extends his hand, a nonverbal cue that it’s time to go, and he won’t take no for an answer. When I stand, my toes squish against my shoes. I must wince, because he gives me a concerned glance, then grumbles as he wraps his arm around my waist.
Once we cross the street and enter my apartment building, his fingers squeeze against my skin, and I try to ignore that his other hand is clearly on his gun.
“You’re going in, grabbing a bag, clothes, any meds, and new shoes.”
“Yes, Sir.”
