“And you? Are you going to be having a child with your pretty new wife?”
“That’s not on the table for us,” Michael said, reaching over and patting my thigh. “And I’ve already got a son. Nick is my heir, and I hope he’ll have some grandbabies for us one day.”
I smiled, unable to stop the vision of Alexis that formed in my head. One of her grinning at me as she cupped her pregnant belly, full with my child. I blinked a few times, clearing the image before it became too real. As much as I secretly longed for her, I accepted that she would move on and build a life that she wanted. One that made herhappy.
It was my greatest wish for her.
“He’s not a man of many words,” Michael teased, patting my thigh again, “but I trust him more than anyone in the world.”
“Then I look forward to hearing about his wedding when he meets the right woman,” Sal said, lifting his glass.
I remained silent, toasting them and swallowing the wine, which suddenly tasted bitter. In my heart, I couldn’t imagine marrying any woman but Alexis. Perhaps that would change with time, but it seemed so unlikely now, when most of my thoughts were of her...and her gorgeous smile...and those stunning green eyes as I touched her sweet little body and brought her to her peak...
“We’ll keep you updated,” Michael said, rising and tossing several hundred-dollar bills on the table. “The rest is for the server. Get home safely, Sal.”
We headed outside and sat in the back of the SUV as Michael instructed his driver to take us back to Brooklyn.
“You’re quieter than usual,” he said, glancing over at me. “Everything good?”
I nodded. “Just trying to return to reality. The past few weeks were a lot.”
“If you need more time—”
“No,” I said, wanting to return to work so I would keep my mind off of Alexis. “In fact, I want to stay busy. I was thinking I could check on the clubs at night, after I’m done with the things you need me to do during the day.”
Michael’s eyebrows lifted. “I mean, you can, if you want. I always need more eyes there. We’re on probation at the Queens location, and I can’t lose the liquor license at any other location. Now that we’re targeting the bratva, I want to be extra cautious.”
“I’ll head to the clubs a few nights a week just to keep my ear to the ground,” I said, thankful for the distraction from thinking endlessly about Alexis.
“That works. I’m going to need you to work with Leo as we assign two men to infiltrate Oskar’s syndicate. Who do you suggest we choose?”
We discussed logistics on the way home, and I asked Michael’s driver to drop me off at my front door.
“Do you want to come over later for dinner?” he asked, concern in his tone.
“I’m beat,” I said, opening the door and stepping out. “I’ll order in if I get hungry.”
“Okay. I can have Bianca bring some food over—”
“I’m good. We’ve got the meeting at the docks early in the morning.” We often met with the men who worked at the ports to ensure things ran smoothly. “I’ll meet you in the driveway at five a.m.”
I closed the door and headed inside, suddenly craving solace. After changing out of my suit into some sweatpants, I sat on the couch, content to watch some mindless TV before the long days and weeks ahead. My old life was back, and strangely, it was quite bleak. When Michael had assigned me to guard Alexis, I’d been pissed since I considered myself much more than a damn bodyguard to a spoiled mafia princess.
But it had only taken days for me to learn she was much more than that. Only days for her to burrow into my heart and claim it before I’d had a chance to shield it.
Relaxing on the couch, I flipped through the channels, rubbing my chest as I allowed myself to miss her.
Chapter 19
Alexis
It took me a few days to realize Nick was avoiding me. I wasn’t sure why he’d suddenly vanished from my life, but I knew one thing: it pissed the hell out of me.
One evening, a few nights after we returned home, Michael, Mom and I were having dinner as he glanced at his phone.
“What’s wrong?” Mom asked.
“I thought Nick might stop by for dinner before he headed to the club, but he texted me that he already ate.”
