He stands behind me the entire meeting, never once leaving my side. Conversations stay in Italian for me to follow. No one steps out of line or gives me a side glance to test him.
Seeing Benny in his element should be frightening. Anyone at this table could blow a hole through my ass. They won’t touch me because he won’t allow it. That I’m contemplating wrapping my jaws around his nuts under the table proves I’m safe and delusional. The power and protection emanating from him is sexy as hell.
I stand with Benny once the meeting adjourns, shaking hands and being introduced to the thirty men in the room. Many are older gentlemen who look skeptical about a woman don but keep their mouths shut. All give their congratulations on our upcoming nuptials.
The group dwindles to the top ten clans for a meeting about territories. Andrea takes me to a back room with a one-way mirror facing the conference area.
“How do you feel?” He bites into an arancini.
It’s clear he and Benny are close based on how often he pops up. A tapeworm might also be in his medical records. He’s always eating, but somehow packs away the food into the lean muscles he covers with tracksuits. Today’s ‘fit matches his dark-green high-tops.
“You don’t get exhausted meeting so many people at once?” A long soak in the tub is in my forecast.
He chuckles. “You’ll get used to it. Tonight was a meeting with the prominent Scilari clans in Sicily. They operate independently, but we’re part of the same network.”
“Why do they listen to Benny?” My eyes swing back toward him, leading the room with confidence and authority.
“We still need a leader. Your man doesn’t control individual clan operations but brings us together. He assumed the role after his uncle retired. If this were a traditional mafia, he’d be the don.”
The elevator doors open. Out steps the man who drugged me, in a black suit matching the others around the table. He nods at Benny and takes a seat.
“Who is that?”
“Luiggi?”
“Yeah.”
“He’s in enforcement,” Andrea explains. “He’s not big on meetings or the business side of our operations. You won’t see him much.”
“Now is too soon,” I mutter.
I’m getting my lick back.
Benny opens the door. “You okay?”
“Yes.” I resist the urge to swoon. In a room full of killers, he still takes the time to check on me.
He searches my face. “I’m wrapping up and will be ready in twenty.”
“Okay.” His long strides and good ass carry him back to the conference table.
“You got my man sprung,” Andrea snickers.
I arch a brow. “What do you know about sprung?”
He grins. “Black American culture is international. Turi and I went to universities in the States.”
“Is that why you look like an extra fromJersey Shore?”
“Nah.” Every tooth in his mouth is on display. “These are comfortable. I’m not like your man who can’t live without suits.”
“Benny is not my man,” I say to the one-way mirror and smile.
A short, gray-haired man clings to him. The top of his balding head barely reaches Benny’s chest. Benny couldn’t be more uncomfortable. His hands are in fists by his sides, his back is rod straight.
“In case you haven’t noticed, cousin, he’s different with you,” Andrea says next to me. “He’s never brought a woman to his home and would never bring an outsider into our organization. He’s softer, in a good way.”
“Don’t read more into the situation,” I say to Benny’s friend, searching for a love connection that isn’t there. I’m making the best of an international crime while enjoying sex and trying to stay alive.
