My eyes narrowed. “I think that’s it on the business side. Moving on to the personal side...”
“Yes?”
Straightening my spine, I spoke with firm resolve. “I need you to help me convince your very hardheaded cousin that I’m not going anywhere, and he might as well accept that he’s going to marry me so we can get on with our lives.”
Michael’s laughter was laced with joy. The tiny wrinkles beneath his eyes crinkled, making him look handsome as he shook his head. “Of course, I’ll help you, but I don’t think it’s going to take much convincing. He’s crazy about you.”
I bit my lip. “He’d better be.”
Michael chuckled.
“And I need you to forgive him for not telling you. That was my fault,” I said, tapping my chest. “He didn’t want us to sneak around, and I asked him to keep it a secret while I figured stuff out.”
Michael leaned back in his chair and lifted a hand. “I realized that pretty soon after he told me. I’m in love with a very stubborn woman myself, so I understand how difficult it is to argue with you.”
Laughter burst from my throat. “It’s impossible. I almost feel sorry for him.” I lifted a finger. “Almost.”
“His life with you isn’t going to be boring. I can give you that.” His features turned genuine above his glowing smile. “I’m very happy for you both. Nick has been alone for much of his life, and I tried to fill that void, but I can only do so much. He’s a good man who deserves to be loved.”
“He’s the best man I’ve ever known,” I said softly. “I’m honored to be with him and to be part of your family.”
Michael rose and walked around the desk, pulling me into a tight hug. “I know you’ll take care of him,” he said into my hair. Drawing back, he gripped my upper arms. “And I’m grateful tohave you on board as my Director of Digital Security. Thank you for choosing to stay. I know it couldn’t have been an easy choice.”
“Honestly? It was the easiest choice I’ve ever made.”
Michael tenderly kissed my forehead and cupped my jaw. “He’s probably home working out if you were wondering.”
“Oh, I know,” I said, waggling my eyebrows. “He’s next on my list.”
Michael patted my arm. “I’ll talk to Katia today and figure out how to get you onboarded so we can pay you legitimately.”
“Thank you. I’m excited to get started and take down that Russian asshole.” Giving a salute, I breezed from the office, ready to tackle my last task of the day: convincing Nick Caruso to stop fighting me and marry me instead.
Chapter 29
Nick
After a very early visit to the Bayonne docks, I came home and worked out in the small gym in my basement. I planned to renovate it one day, but for now it was good enough. Alexis called it my murder-basement, as she’d done in the safehouse, since it only had tiny windows near the ceiling. I smiled as I bench-pressed, imagining her making fun of the small space.
Afterward, I showered and threw on some sweatpants before heading to the kitchen to make a sandwich. I had a few hours before Michael and I needed to be in the Bronx for dinner with Sal DeLorenzo. Michael wanted to sit down and formulate a viable strategy now that the Carusos and DeLorenzos were essentially at war with the bratva and Marco Nunez.
Looking at my phone, I realized that Alexis would probably be done walking the treadmill with Bianca, so I’d scarf down the sandwich and then go check in on her to see how she was doing.
I planned to ask her to dinner in a few days, once she was completely healed, so we could have a real talk about our future. I was convinced that urging her to move into the city and pursue a job there was the best course for her. I was ready to explain to her thatit didn’t mean I didn’t love her. In fact, it meant the opposite. I loved her enough to release her from a world I could never leave.
I just hoped she understood my reasoning. Knowing Alexis, she was going to fight me every step of the way.
I finished the sandwich and turned to head upstairs when loud knocks sounded on my kitchen door. Pivoting, I saw Alexis there and she pointed to the doorknob.
I strode over and unlocked it, and she breezed past me.
“You’re locking your door now. Good. Can’t be too careful.”
“Yes,” I said, turning the lock back in place. “I, uh, was going to come and see you in a few minutes. I just showered and had lunch.”
Her eyes raked over my wet hair and bare chest, filled with a hunger that caused my pulse to quicken.
“Oh, I can see that. You look delicious.”
