Her breath hitches and she stops squirming, a spark in her green eyes catching fire.
Much better.If we were alone, I’d slide my finger beneath the silk and into her wet pussy to give her something else to think about.
“You look beautiful,” I say instead. “We’re almost there.”
“You know I don’t like surprises,” she huffs.
I let a slow smile form. “Yes, you do, Angel.”
I can see her fighting her own smile. “Okay, fine, I do.”
We pull up to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.
I help Lennon out of the backseat and intertwine our fingers as I lead her over to Jessica Eaton and her photographer.
Lennon is sneaking glances at me out of the corner of her eye. I hope this means as much to her as I think it will. I have a lot of making up to do for the pain my engagement to Giada caused her.
“Mr. LaRocca.” Jessica Eaton is tall with a strong, prominent nose, and her blonde hair is cut in a sleek bob at her shoulders. She offers her hand, and we shake. “And this must be Lennon. Stunning just as you described.” Her gaze sweeps over Lennon, and her smile grows. “Call me Jessica.”
Lennon shakes her hand, still wary. But her shoulders are back, her hair blowing in the breeze, her green eyes sparkling with curiosity. She looks like a true queen. And she’s finally mine. It hasn’t fully sunk in yet.
Jessica’s manicured hand flutters over her heart. “Our readers are going to eat up your story. Childhood love. Redemption. A fairytale ending. Hope. That’s what we’re selling them. Hope that their dreams can come true, too.” She claps her hands and whirls around to the man waiting silently behind her, with a 35mm camera slung over his shoulder and more gear at his feet. “This is Mateo.”
Mateo holds up a hand in greeting. “We discussed the vibe for the photos to accompany the interview and decided a powerful businessman like yourself should have the city behind him.” Shepoints to the water fountain. “Water adds an element of emotion. This is a love story after all.”
Lennon’s head whips around, and I can feel her stare burning the side of my face. I let the corner of my mouth raise, and then I turn and wink at her. She grins and I swear to fuck it’s like the sun coming out.
Mateo grabs his tripod and motions to us.
I interlace my fingers with Lennon’s and follow him.
“We’ll do some formal poses first and then some more fun, relaxed ones,” he says.
As we position ourselves in front of the waterfall, Lennon’s back to my front, I lean down and whisper in her ear. “This is our debut story for the Tampa Times. Now everyone will know who I truly belong to.”
I feel her relax in my arms.
“That’s it,” Mateo encourages. “Beautiful smile, Lennon. Hold that.”
***
We’re in the boardroom, seated around the table. The blinds are drawn so there are no distractions. I’m in the middle with Lennon on my right, and Gunnar on my left.
Rocco, Caelian, Fausty and Killian round out the rest of the seats. Big Tony is stationed outside the room with another armedguard, and half a dozen more soldiers in the lobby in case the Russians try anything stupid.
There’s a mixture of excitement and stress buzzing in the room.
Big Tony opens the door and ushers in Toly, his father and two of their guards. He gives me a nod.
Toly and Oleg take a seat across from us, their guards parking themselves against the back wall. They are both on edge, their eyes shifting to each of my men.
I introduce everyone and then fold my hands on the table. “I’ve called this meeting to let you know the New York Commission, along with Santino Zerilli, have agreed to the terms of our tentative deal.” I hold up a hand as Oleg smirks. “Toly will marry Giada Zerilli, and their children will inherit Santino Zerilli’s empire. All skin trade will stop immediately here. Including the Russian women in your bars. They are to be given their passports back and released.”
Lennon shifts beside me, and I know this pleases her. “We will continue to get the same percentage of profits from Santino’s businesses.” I nod to Caelian. “My consigliere has the contract with the exact numbers. You can have your lawyer look them over. You have twenty-four hours.”
Caelian slides a manilla envelope across the table to Toly.
I continue. “Obviously Toly and Giada will stay in Tampa. But,” I shift my attention to Oleg. “Oleg, for your attack on me and Lennon, you will leave Tampa.”
