I should have known better that something had been going on behind the scenes. Why the hell had this William Dreyfus paid a photographer that much money? For what? Some exclusive? Catching her in some intimate act? No, that didn’t make any sense.
I was missing something or maybe I was just too tired to think clearly.
While I shoved my weapon back into my jacket pocket, I kept a watchful eye until I was standing in the same place I’d been before.
At least this time, only the light over the stove was on, the blinds at least partially closed.
Exhaling, I remained where I was, determined to make certain Peter didn’t come back around.
Her bedroom light on her second floor popped on a few seconds later and I leaned against her fence, crossing my arms.
I’d suffered while watching her twirling in time to the music for almost two hours, nursing another drink to keep myself from losing my goddamn mind. She’d danced in a group, with guys, with other girls. Enjoying the hell out of herself.
And I’d been the fucking idiot on the side watching her. Why? Because that was my job. Then after she’d gone inside, I’d remained a creeper, pretending I’d left so if she looked out the window she wouldn’t see my car.
Then I’d doubled back and parked, walking to her house and standing in the perfect place to see her enjoying a drink with her friends.
No blinds either. I’d need to mention that to Jaxon. Maybe he could talk some sense into her.
She was a sitting duck to anyone who wanted to get to her.
Me included.
I stood waiting outside for an additional thirty minutes until I’d finally labeled myself a creeper.
Which I was.
As soon as I slipped into the driver’s seat, I pulled out the business card again. Tomorrow I’d confront the asshole and find out who the fuck he was.
The route I took heading to my house meant the streets were mostly deserted, most in residential neighborhoods. It allowed me time to think about how much being around the woman always affected me. Too much.
Now I was lamenting the evening, trying to determine what in the fuck had possessed me to treat her like a child. Even worse, why had I believed it my right to pull her over my lap and spank her?
Yes, she’d acted irrationally, but it was all driven by the way things had recently played themselves out. She didn’t normally try to place herself in harm’s way.
That meant she was antsy with her life, angry that she’d been born into a world where women were usually not allowed to be a part of the mafia business. Granted, she’d been protected in her youth, allowed to attend college in New York.
When she’d returned, her affinity for marketing and business had been immediately seen as an attribute for the legitimate ideals and artistry of the corporation. She was freaking brilliant, as savvy in public relations as I’d seen anyone be.
She’d also had a target on her back more times than she had any understanding of.
But I knew.
I’d watched monsters come and go, gathering her aroma and biding their time. What no one knew what that I’d killed more than one in my duty to protect her, bloody acts I’d been forbidden to share with her.
I’d been there every time an attack or kidnapping had been thwarted. The family hadn’t wanted her to learn the truth, especially after the murder of their father. Maybe if she had been told she would never consider doing anything that would place her life in jeopardy.
Then again, was that really living?
The answer was easy in my mind. Hell, no.
Having a photographer stalk her like some common criminal was just another reminder that she wasn’t truly safe anywhere. Nor could she vacate any aspect of who she was even for a shortduration. The Prince brothers enjoyed the spotlight or at least tolerated it even with their growing families. Not Emmeline. She was determined to live a normal life. Whatever that meant.
I parked the car on the street, a half block from the house, unable to get the beautiful woman and the interaction off my mind.
While I doubted she’d ever mention what had occurred to anyone, I had to be prepared in case she did.
I was a stupid idiot. I had a great life and I was about to fuck it up because I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.
