Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
I shivered and it was not in fear. It was in pure lust. This was not the reaction I wanted him to give me. Additionally, this was not the proper time to be having that response.
Yeah. . .he definitely sent the roses.
“Giorgio.” I did my best to give him a stern gaze. “My sole purpose in Italy is to keep the Mouse safe—”
“And you.”
“What?”
“You are expected to keep yourself safe also.”
“Well, of course—”
“But, you only said the Mouse.”
“Stop interrupting me.”
More chatter came from behind me between Baba, Kazimir, and Emily. I had to quickly finish this talk with Giorgio so that I could pay attention.
I pointed at him. “No more asking about my panties. And don’t do what you did in the meeting again—”
“What did I do?” He smirked.
“Do not try to give me your guns to irritate David—”
“That had nothing to do with him. You are the only person besides my cousins that I trust with my guns.”
I blinked. “Well. . .um. . .anyway, I need you to stop, and no more sending me blue roses. Thank you. They were beautiful, but you must stop.”
Giorgio went silent and studied me.
I lowered my hand. “Do you understand?”
Giorgio's gorgeous face shifted to one of terror. His lips twisted into a cruel sneer. The sound of his heavy breathing thrummed in the air. Rage filled those beautiful eyes.
Uh. . .
I stepped back and placed my hand on my gun.
Giorgio moved forward and leaned my way. His voice was a low rumble. “Roses? Who sent you roses?”
Oh. . .He didn't send them.
I cleared my throat.
King David hit my side. “Any problems over here?”
Uh. . .this isn’t the best time to show up.
Giorgio turned his attention to David. The Butler’s cold, steady gaze bored into David and promised death. And, if one could indeed die from a gaze alone, David would have been on the floor and covered in blood.
Giorgio fisted his hands as if about to knock him out.
David's right hand moved an inch closer to his gun.
Okay, so. . .
Suddenly, in my head, I kept hearing Maxwell yelling, “Management!”
But what the hell did that mean. I needed a manual listing step-by-step instructions. I checked the room.
Watching us, Maxwell stood close with his arms crossed over his chest.
Help me.
Slowly, he shook his head from side to side. I didn’t know if Maxwell was doing that to say no he wouldn’t help or that this was disappointing.
I directed my attention back to Giorgio and David. They stared at each other as if daring the other one to make the first move. Tension and violence thickened between them.
And I was not used to this in any way. I only had one boyfriend in my life. There had been no serious love affair before or after him. A few times, I had jumped in bed with this or that guy for a quick night of fun, only to never speak on the moment again. Boris had been one of those one-night stands from long ago. Never did we talk about it. I doubt anyone in Harlem Crew even knew about it.
Other than those few one-night stands, I had no real experience with men.
David kept his view on Giorgio. “Any problems, Blue?”
I probably spoke too fast. “None at all. Everything is fine. Let’s just. . .um. . .go.”
David’s jaw twitched. “He should go.”
“Should I?”
Suddenly, Emily stepped between them, forcing both men to edge several feet back. “We all must go. What's up, guys?”
Oh, God.
I turned back to Maxwell.
He shook his head again.
What the hell?!
Emily looked at David, then moved her view to the Butler. “Everybody good?”
Giorgio formed his mouth into a smile that sent chills down my spine. “We will talk later, King David. When there is less commotion and people around us.”
“I am excited about that conversation, Butler.” David gestured over his shoulders. “Make sure you do not forget your guns. They are in the trash can by the corner.”
David! Please say you didn’t dirty his guns.
I widened my eyes.
I swore heat radiated off Giorgio.
He cracked his neck. “The trash can?”
David nodded. “I believe they are at the bottom of the trash can, under as much gunk as I could find.”
Fast, Giorgio charged for him, almost knocking Emily out of the way.
Jean-Pierre appeared in a blur. He must have been nearby and watching the whole exchange. Somehow, he had Giorgio in a grip within seconds and began shoving him back several feet which looked to be a difficult feat. The Butler struggled to get out of his cousin's hold as if ready to strangle David with his gloved hands.
“Get your puppy together, Butcher!” Kazimir stomped over and glared at the French. “If he comes after my number one, then he will only be a memory on your family tree.”
Emily placed her hand on Kazimir’s chest. “That’s quite enough. Everything is fine.”