“I can’t rent you the apartment, hummingbird,” I said as we stepped outside the apartment. “I have a no pets policy. Sorry.”
She only held me tighter, filling my heart with some emotion I didn’t recognize.
“Frank, call Joey. I need a cleanup,” I said gruffly, trying to keep my head straight. “Tell Matteo it’s the Russians again.”
“On it,” Frank said, pulling his phone out as I got into the back with Rosalie. She refused to let go of me, and I was damn well fine with that.
“Easy. It’s OK. Nothing is wrong. All is well,” I murmured to her as the SUV pulled onto the street. “Shh, stop your tears. You’re OK. Breathe. Slowly. Match my breathing. Feel my chest beneath your fingers, sweet one. Everything is going to be OK.”
She clung to me, her sobs eventually softening and her body relaxing against mine. I continued to hold her and whisper that she was safe and that I’d keep her that way.
Eventually, she calmed enough to release my shirt. Her touch was light as she traced the scratches she put on my chest, making my breath catch.
I couldn’t stop the shiver beneath her soft, warm fingers.
“Sorry,” she whispered, her voice still holding that slight shake to it.
“It’s OK,” I said thickly, knowing she was going to apologize to me. “I hope you’re not upset about the pet policy.”
“No.” She shook her head, her curls bouncing. I took the opportunity to gently wipe away her tears. “I-I hope you’re not upset that I think you might be running a drug house.”
I laughed loudly at her words. They were surprising, but funny. I really liked that. She gave me a shy, sweet smile.
Lorenzo De Luca was a fool for throwing her away on some cheap piece of pussy. But if I got to be a part of her life because of it, I’d shake his hand for being such a fool.
“You are a funny little thing. Tell you what. Let me show you a really nice apartment. I’ll make up for the drug house.”
“I’d like that. I-I have fifty thousand dollars for rent.”
I laughed again, tightening my hold on her. She didn’t try to escape me either. She let me hold her against my chest as we rode through the city.
Frank caught my eye in the rearview mirror and gave me a disapproving look. I ignored him.What did he know?He had eight kids scattered across the city. He wasn’t exactly a good judge of deeds.
“Where to?” he asked. I knew the ass was wondering if I’d take her to my place and fuck her, but I wasn’t like that.
Not really, anyway.
“Anson’s?” I asked her, raking my fingers through her soft curls to move them away from her face.
“Please,” she whispered.
I swallowed and told Frank to take us to Anson’s. He was likely with Bianca, so it worked.
When we arrived, I got out with her and noted she was still trembling. I guided her inside the building and to Anson’s apartment.
She turned to me and offered me another of her endearing, bashful smiles.
“Thank you. For today. For… saving me.”
“I would do that any day or night,” I said gently, taking in just how small and fragile she was.
I had the sudden thought she needed me. Anson was too busy with Bianca and Matteo. Fox was gone. The horsemen pushed her away.
I was it. I was all she had.
I stepped closer, and she didn’t step away from me.
“Call me if you decide you want a place to stay. My home is open to you.”
