“But nothing will happen to me. Not when all of you are around me. Barun is here, too.” I clutched my brother’s arm in desperation, trying to stop this whole shipping-me-off nonsense.
Rhett, too, joined Noah, comforting me, making my heart sink. If the two of them were on the same side, I didn’t stand a chance.
“Sweetheart, it’s only until the threat is completely dissolved and we go legit.” He reasoned, brushing my hair away from my forehead.
“Will it help if I go along with her during this time?” Barun’s voice sounded stilted, almost pained.
Immediately, my heart bloomed with hope. Was he ready to stay away from his business? “Really? Would you do that? What about your business?”
“I’d give my life to protect you.” He answered without missing a beat, his eyes deadly serious. To my ears, his words sounded like a vow and not a job.
“It’s settled then,” Noah declared, shaking Barun’s hand. “I trust you to take care of my sister and keep her safe.”
The smile that had been peeking abruptly stopped at my brother’s tone that held a note of warning. Did Noah sense something between us? More importantly, would that put Barun in danger? Did this mean my love would remain unrequited forever?
#9
Barun
Tinselford. The name was apt for this small town that was two hours away by air from Honey Valley. I’d accidentally stumbled upon this place when a celebrity client of mine had rented a motel for a week here to maintain anonymity after a media shitstorm. By the end of the week, I’d bought a small house that was on the edge of the town.
My cabin was well constructed and was fairly comfortable. It was my sanctuary, the place where I could unwind. Which was also the reason I had brought no one here. Ever. But Katy was different. It felt right to bring her here. Watching her lounge around the place and mark her territory warmed something in me. Fuck! That shit was addictive even to think about.
Of course, it hadn’t been easy convincing the Falcone men this was the best place for their sister. Her brothers demanded to see the exact location, inspect the locals for threats, and ensure their sister would be truly safe. Their protectiveness sent a chill down my spine. If they knew the things I wanted to do to their baby sister, I wouldn’t remain alive for long.
But it wasn’t the fear of being killed that made me step back. It was because Noah and Rhett were like family. When we’d beenleft in the street, they'd embraced us into the family, treating us more like brothers. The Falcones gave Gio and me a safe space to stay alive after the shitty life our parents gave us.
Gio, being the typical older brother, chose to work for the family so that I could move away. He insisted at least one of us stay out of the mafia. My half-brother was convinced there was only one way out of this life. Death. Hence his extreme reluctance to bring me in.
But the joke was on him. After the women entered the Falcone brothers’ lives, the brothers have been consciously going legit. And finally, my half-brother was willing to let me into the family. Sort of!
After the two-hour air journey, where Katy and I had been lost in our thoughts, we landed at the small and secluded airstrip. The crisp, chilly air welcomed us with the smell of sweet pine teasing our nostrils. After helping her out of the jet, I loaded our stuff into the waiting SUV. After ensuring Katy was bundled in her jacket and safely buckled, I drove carefully, enjoying the sweet girl’s reactions during the picturesque drive.
By the time we reached Tinselford, it was almost dusk. Katy gasped when she saw the whole town lit with holiday decorations. It was as though the entire town had been done with Christmas in mind.
Driving around, I was astounded by the change in the town. So far, I’d never come here during the holiday season, always working and taking over the rest of the guys’ work to help them spend time with their families. Gio and I weren’t too keen on holidays and all that stuff.
Clearly, Katy didn’t belong in that category. She made cute little sounds whenever she saw a place that was heavily decorated.The town’s Santa and a small snowman made her turn to me with shining eyes. Her accompanying smile was dazzling, making me want to buy the entire town for her.
Briefly, I wondered if it was possible. Thanks to the rapid growth of my business and my investments, money wasn’t an issue in my life any longer. I simply invested and let it grow, not sure who or what I was building wealth for. After years of working with no monetary purpose, for the first time, I felt my wealth could prove useful if it could make Katy smile like that.
“Oh, did you see that? That house looks like a fairy tale, Barun.”
Katy bounced on the seat in excitement, making me chuckle. Her face was stuck to the window, spreading a warm feeling around the region of my heart. Maybe things wouldn’t be so bad after all.
The thought barely stayed for another ten minutes. Until I parked the SUV next to my cabin. Contrary to the holiday-themed houses, my place wasn’t even lit. No decorations. I didn’t even know where people got that shit from. Mentally, I made a note to source some decorations for the cabin for Katy.
But that wasn’t the issue. It was the bed. There was only one, and there were two of us. After looking around my cabin with an open layout and a first floor where the huge king-sized bed was, Katy seemed to have similar thoughts.
At the sight of the bed with black satin sheets, I watched a blush rise to her cheeks. She bit her lip, as if she were unsure about the sleeping arrangements. Biting back a curse, I ignored the sexual tension that threatened to consume us, instead focusing on showing her around the place.
When Katy took an instant liking to the fireplace that had come with the place, I momentarily relaxed.
“Oh, my! Is this a real fireplace? It’s so beautiful.” Shaking her head, she looked at me, excitement dancing in her dark eyes. “Is this your place?”
I nodded, standing with my hands in my pockets. Watching her fall in love with this place pierced my heart, making me want things I didn’t deserve.
“I’ll heat the dinner that Izzy packed for us. Tomorrow, I’ll stock the refrigerator and the pantry for us.” Wanting to move away and do something with my hands, I walked to the kitchen. Katy nodded with a small smile, following me to help me unpack our dinner.
