Page 48 of Love & Power

“Now, was that so hard?” Von asked, not at all commenting on the fact it would take at least two people to pry that fork free.

Thad took the lead, and we left the hotel heading back to the plane.

I was so worn out that I fell asleep on the jet’s couch almost instantly, getting in a good forty-five-minute catnap before we landed.

nineteen

Fingers traced along my neck as a gentle kiss was pressed to my forehead. “Baby girl, you need to wake up for me.”

My eyes flicked open, and I realized I was an SUV with Luca hovering over me. I smiled up at him. “Hi.”

“Hey, baby girl,” he answered, taking my hands and pulling me up into a sitting position. “Ivy said you conked out as soon as you got on the plane.”

Stepping out of the SUV, I noticed we were back at the estate. “Wow, I must have passed out hard. I don’t even remember walking off the plane.”

“That’s because you didn’t, Queenie,” Von said, hopping out. “We tried to wake you but no success, so your man, Tad, carried you to the car.”

“Tad…” I questioned, my sleepy brain not connecting the dots. “Oh, Thad.”

“Um… babe, what the hell happened to your arm?” Jace asked as he gently took my hand.

Gone was the napkin, and in its place was a neatly wrapped bandage. “Oh, it’s nothing.”

“Yeah, just a little girl bonding,” Von offered, waving her bandaged arm. “I’m Von, by the way, Astin’s newest BFF.”

The SUV shook as Bear exited the vehicle, causing Luca to pull me against his chest.

“Guys, it’s okay,” I assured. “This is Bear and Von’s bodyguard. Just a heads-up, he’s mute and uses sign language to communicate. Oh, and best not to make any aggressive comments or movements toward Von… he’s a little overprotective.”

Jace and Luca regarded the man a moment before Jace smiled, offering Bear his hand. “Name’s Jace… welcome to the shit show, my man. Just don’t mess with our woman, and we’ll return the favor, but choose to fuck around and find out… we’ll just see how good of a bodyguard you are.”

Bear grinned at Jace as they shook hands, agreeing to the terms. Luca reached past me and offered his greeting as well. “Luca, and a friend of Astin’s is always welcome.”

I winked at Von, knowing she’d been a little worried about how Bear and my guys would interact. The person I was worried about was Hound, and not in the way you’d expect. I had no doubt the two of them would be friends. My fear was the trouble the two of them would get into. That, and possible bad habits Bear could rub off on my loveable stalker.

“Let’s head inside. Frediano has a rough headcount of who will be here tonight,” Jace suggested. “Oh, and Hound thinks he has the bare bones of a program that will fit what you’re looking for. He’s been working on it most of the afternoon.”

Jace led the way to the sitting room they’d claimed as their own, with files and various papers scattered over any flat surface. Hound was sitting at a table hunched over his laptop while the others were spread out around the room. I noticed two new faces among the group along with Armond and Frediano.

The two men jumped to their feet and raced over to Von, scooping her up in a twin group hug. Bear didn’t seem at all concerned, so I continued on and planted myself on Ryker’s lap. He’d taken up residence in one of the armchairs with various personnel files around him. They weren’t names I recognized, but then again, I didn’t know as much about the Raffa Family business.

“Hey, handsome,” I greeted. “You miss me?”

“Tin-Tin, you know I did,” he said, dropping the file he’d been reading to wrap his arms around me. “I hate it when I can’t be with you, but admitting that makes me sound like a needy sap.”

God, why did it make me deliriously happy to hear him say things like that? I was a strong, independent woman who didn’t need a man to make me happy, but damn, these men made me weak.

“I’m okay with a little sappiness coming from you,” I murmured, kissing his lips. “You know, I have to admit this was not what I was expecting from you when I got back.”

He frowned in confusion. “Why is that?”

“Because I know you know what happened today,” I answered. “You don’t need to pretend like you don’t or that you’re not mad. Thad told me he was going to fill you in.”

Ryker grabbed my hips, holding me steady as he sat up straighter. “First of all, I’m not mad.” I raised a skeptical brow at that. “I’m serious. Look, was I upset that Ivy took you to a prison in another country that was underground? Yes. The reason I was mad, if you will, is because I wasn’t there to protect you. It kills me whenever something happens and I’m not there by your side. Astin, you are everything to me, and nothing else matters so long as you are safe and happy. So no, I’m not mad at you or Ivy for what happened today.”

“Liar!” Braxton coughed loudly into his hand.

“Fuck off,” Ryker snapped, flipping Braxton off. “Don’t be a dick when I’m trying to do the right thing here.”