Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
"It's settled then. Mario will show you out, and Ashton is waiting. Make sure he calls me if anything feels wrong. Don't stop. Just drive until you see the estate, and then you'll be safe."
Daisy nods and gets to her feet, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "Okay. I'll see you tonight, Dominic. Drive safe."
I nod, and I'm left staring at the door long after she's gone, imagining her full lips forming the words, 'Drive safe.' I've never been one to drive carefully, but suddenly, I think I might have a reason to.
The fact that I'm already protective of Daisy is no surprise to me. As a Falcone, it's bred into me. I protect what's mine.
But the way my heart thumps when I think about her, the way my brain conjures her face every time I blink, I've never reacted to a woman like this before. Palming myself through my slacks, I stalk back behind my desk, resisting the urge to pull out my cock and stroke one out right here and now.
Instead, I call Ashton, one of my most trusted employees. "Ash, I've got a job for you."
"Alright, Dominic."
Ashton has been loyal for years. He's seen me through more than I can count. He'll understand why protecting Daisy is important, even if it isn't completely clear to me yet. "There's a girl. Her name is Daisy Linden. Carlo Falcone put a hit out on her, and she's in danger."
Ashton knows the situation with Carlo. Everyone does. "Alright. What do you want me to do?"
"Take her to my estate. Set her up in one of the rooms. Get some of your most trusted men to get her things from her apartment, and another set to go and lock up the store she works at. I've got keys and a list up here for you."
"Will do, boss. Anything else?"
"Keep her safe. Keep an eye on her. Call me if something goes wrong. If you get into a scrap with Carlo or his men, call for backup."
"Sounds good." Ashton pauses. "Boss, I'm just going to be blunt. If Carlo pops up, how much force do you want me to use?"
"The usual, Ash."
"You want him brought in alive?"
"That's the ideal situation, yeah." I don't even hesitate. "But if it comes down to Carlo or Daisy, take him out. You know we protect our women."
"Got it. On my way."
I hang up and lean back in my chair, pressing my fingertips together. If Carlo is so dead set on digging his own grave, he's going to regret it. A part of me regrets it, too. But it's not enough for me to change my mind about doing what needs to be done.
If Carlo has crossed the line so severely that he's trying to kill an innocent woman, then it's beyond repair. I need to put a stop to it, once and for all.
He's made his bed. Now he's got to lie in it.
Meanwhile, the angel he was stupid enough to give up will be sleeping in a bed under MY roof. And soon enough, in bed with me. Daisy Linden is mine, and I'm going to make sure Carlo knows it.
3
DAISY
I feel like my entire body is vibrating like a tuning fork when Mario the host escorts me through the restaurant. He's nice enough, but I feel a little bad. Dominic has sent him all over the place because of me, and I'm hoping this isn't a huge inconvenience.
"I know this must be weird for you," I find myself rambling. "Some random woman coming in the restaurant and now you're tasked with handing me over to a security guy so I can go to your boss' house. You're probably thinking, 'Man, I had plans for tonight!' I just wanted to apologize. I really appreciate all that Dominic is doing. I swear, I won't be underfoot for long."
Mario shakes his head, his face softening. He looks younger when he smiles, not nearly so intimidating. "Miss Linden, it's really fine. Boss is always generous and fair. If he asks me to do something, I'll do it. No questions asked. And you're not the strangest guest I've ever escorted."
My curiosity is piqued. "Oh? Really?"
He nods, "Mr. Falcone lives an interesting life, which I'm sure you're about to find out all on your own soon enough."
The host leaves me sitting in the empty dining room to wait for my driver, where I try my best to avoid the curious stares of the two servers who are closing the restaurant down. It gives me a moment to look over the place, and it's jarring to realize that I've never eaten somewhere this fancy in my entire life.
I haven't had the chance, really. For the most part, I've been living paycheck to paycheck while building my meager savings. This restaurant is worlds above the fast-food and bar-and-grill places that are my go-to, and my mouth waters a little as I read the descriptions on the menu.