“We both know my wife is never without security,” he says. “There are five of my men up there.”
His reassurance does nothing to relievemy stress. It’s not until I step out onto the rooftop deck and lay eyes on her myself that I relax. I clock five of my men within feet of her and nod at them. They move back slightly but stay close enough, so that if they need to, they can reach her.
“Having fun?” I pick up a towel and lay it over Evie’s body. She’s sprawled out on a sun lounger in a fucking bikini. There are way too many men up here.
She goes to brush the towel aside.
“Don’t you dare take that off,” I warn in a low growl.
“Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?” Evie raises a defiant brow at me as she plucks the towel off her back and throws it my way. And then, she’s on her feet. Her hands on her hips as she glares at me. “You are not my father, Emmanuel.”
“I’m your husband. That trumps father.” I drape the towel around her shoulders and pull her against me, holding her tight. “There are men all over this rooftop and they’re all looking at your pretty little ass that’s on full display for them. You can yell at me all you want. Behind closed doors, Evie. Not in front of the men who work for me. Never in front of people.”
She stills in my arms and looks up at me. “You’re serious.”
“They can’t get ideas in their heads that I’ve gone soft. It’s how we stay in power.”
“It’s howyoustay in power,” she corrects.
“We. You are my queen. You are my equal, Evie,” I tell her.
“Just not in front of anyone, right?”
“Just once, I would love it if you could just say:Yes, E. Whatever you want, E,” I grumble.
“No you wouldn’t.” She shakes her head and laughs.
She’s right. I would hate if she turned into that person. But, fuck, it’s tiring fighting with her about every single topic.
“We have the rest of our lives to figure out shit. Let’s not fight about it now,” I suggest.
“That sounds like a solid plan, because I’m going swimming and you’re coming.”
“I’m not dressed for the pool,” I state the obvious.
“Drop the suit, E. I’ll meet you in there.” Evie winks and then wiggles out of my hold—and the fucking towel. I watch as she jumps right into the water.
Fuck me. Guess I’m going swimming. I remove my jacket and nod to one of my men, handing him my pistol and knife. I remove my shirt next. Evie’s head pops out of the water, and she watches me with a devious smirk on her face.
As soon as I’m down to my black briefs, I jump into the pool. My arms circle her waist and I pull herbody up against mine. My lips find hers and I fucking devour her.
“I love you,” I whisper against her lips.
Evie’s legs wrap around my torso, and her arms tighten around my neck. “Good, because I like being loved by you.”
Chapter Forty-Five
Icannot believe this is mine. Charlotte hands me the key to the retail spot I just signed a lease for. I unlock the door and we walk in. “This is really happening,” I tell her.
“It’s happening.” She smiles. “I’m so happy you’re moving here. I’m not going to be alone anymore.”
“You are never alone.” I roll my eyes at her. “You have a husband and a whole new family,Charlotte.”
“Wehave a new family,” she corrects me. “You’re marrying into this crazy-ass family too.”
“I am.” I smile. “It’s insane, right? I mean, I thought you were totally looney when you married Louie, but I get it now. I think maybe when you find your person, you really do just know.”
“Yeah.” Charlotte gets that dreamyLouielook on her face. “I still pinch myself when I look at him and think… that is my husband.”
