My cheeks ache from the intensity of my smile. “I love you, too, baby.”
“Three more weeks, and you’re all mine.”
“Yours forever.”
CHAPTER 7
DIANGELO
Present
“I knowI’m partly to blame,” Renzo admits with a weariness I can hear across the phone line. “I sheltered my sisters for a long time without meaning to. They weren’t a part of the business and didn’t need to be caged in the middle of things for no reason. Then, Dad got sick, and Tommy was … Tommy. I just did my best to protect all of them.”
I feel for him. I do.
He was still relatively young when he was thrust into a shit ton of responsibility, even before his father got sick. And I know what it’s like to want to protect your family.
“I get it,” I say with a sigh. “But she has to be exposed to this world to some extent just so she appreciates the dangers. She needs more perspective.”
I’m certain she understands loss and that she wants to avoid it. I think that’s why she has such a strong need to be independent. It gives her a sense of control. She needs to learn that sometimes the safest plan is to defer to others—whetherthat means asking experts for help or simply letting someone with experience take the reins.
“Agreed,” Renzo responds. “I’ll do my part on that front. And for what it’s worth, I’m confident she’ll fall in line. She’s not naive per se. She’s just been through a lot.”
My lips press thin as I stare at the woman in question.
Her long auburn hair is wound into a soft knot on her head as she smiles. She’s wearing a baggy yellow sweatshirt over leggings, with an olive-green sports bra strap visible where the collar of her shirt has drifted down over her shoulder. She exudes a carefree elegance that mystifies me.
“That why she’s out having coffee with a friend even though she never mentioned she had plans?”
“You’re shitting me.”
“Wish I was, man. I came by this morning to do some recon of the building and spotted her in the lobby. You called before I could confront her.” I refrain from going into detail about her breezy laughter to save him the same infuriated frustration I’ve been battling for the past fifteen minutes. It’s barely been twelve hours since our confrontation outside her mom’s house, and she’s already defying me.
“I don’t know what to say except thank you for doing this. I have a real bad feeling Biba’s sons are going to want revenge, and if it’s blood-for-blood they want, they’ll come after a family member. Rina and Mom are by far the easiest targets.”
“I’ve got your back—as my boss and my friend. I promise I’ll keep her safe.”
Those six words cycle through my head on repeat after the call disconnects.
I promise I’ll keep her safe.
The only way I can be certain to keep my promise is if I have her complete cooperation. I can’t guard against the Russians andcorral her at the same time. That sort of chaos creates too many variables. Too many uncertainties.
Variables are like leaks in a ship. Once the water starts flooding in, there’s nothing any one man can do to keep that boat from going down.
No matter how tempting the lust in her eyes, no matter how sweet the musky scent on her fingers, no matter how tragic her past, Imustmake her safety my only priority. Empathy and desire will only muddy the waters.
Ihaveto remember that.
Because I know what it’s like when emotion compromises judgment.
Lives are lost, and the guilt never fades.
CHAPTER 8
DIANGELO
Past
