“Welcome to Coshocton,” the Prez greeted, his gaze tripping along the cars that pulled up behind ours.
“I appreciate the invitation.”
“You have Rachel Laker to thank for that.”
“I guess I do.”
“How do you know her?”
“Good test question,” he approved. “My sister’s her best friend. They went to law school together. Two sharks in a million.”
“Your shark definitely played the predators at their own game,” the Prez applauded before holding out his hand. “Storm.”
“You can call me Stan.”
As they shook on it, Storm dipped his chin. “Rachel told me you weren’t staying long.”
“I figured we could talk.”
“About?” Storm’s gaze fixed on Stan before flickering over to the car. “You brought someone with you?”
Shit. He must have seen movement behind the tinted windows.
“Just myStidda. And…” Stan twisted back and opened the door. “Meet my—” He cleared his throat. “Kitty.”
Storm’s tension bit the dust when he saw me. “Pleasure to meet you,hisKitty.”
I peeped a smile at him. “Likewise, Storm.”
His lips twisted as my eavesdropping registered. “Come on through.” He shoved open the gates and walked onto the compound, beckoning us to join him.
I half-figured Stan would be mad at me for disturbing his meeting, but he pressed his hand to the small of my back and ushered me onward.
Stan’s hesitation about what to call me, as well as my presence here, suddenly took on a different meaning. An extraordinary one.
Stan represented the SicilianFamigghiaand he’d brought lil ol’ me along…
He’d told me via text that he loved me but had never spoken the words out loud.
Thiswas a declaration.
A roar to the world.
Tohisworld.
I belonged to him.
I was under his protection.
He’d claimed me as his own.
But he wasn’t the only one who needed to stake a claim…
THIRTY-NINE
KITTY
I had no intention of letting him go…
