Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
“It was Rogue, wasn’t it?”
“You know it wasn’t.” He wanted to dismiss the risk to himself, but I needed him to accept reality.
“Is that the only reason you want me here?”
Fuck. I wasn’t ready for that. “Why do you think I need to protect you so badly?”
“Because I’m a good fuck?”
“Carlo.”
“Because that’s what you do. You take care of people.”
“That’s what I used to do, but then…”
He moved toward me, and I shifted in my seat so he could step between my legs. I wrapped my arms around him, and he pulled me against his chest. “I can protect you too.”
“I wish you could. What happened to me changed me, but…” I was better around him. Usually, I went right back into a nightmare after waking, which meant I didn’t even try to go back to sleep, but with Carlo holding me, I’d slept peacefully. “I guess if you want to try…”
“I do.”
I pulled back enough to look up at him. We held each other’s gazes for a few seconds, then I pulled him to me and kissed him like my life depended on it. I didn’t have much strength, but I needed this. I needed to feel his lips on mine.”
I tugged him onto my lap so he straddled me. He cupped my face in his hands, and I held his hips, pressing him against me. “Need you,” he muttered against my lips.
My damn phone ruined the moment.
Carlo grabbed my arm when I reached for it. “Ignore it.”
I glanced down. It was Ghost. He never called me. “I can’t.”
“Tell whoever it is that you’re busy.”
I smiled at him as I answered, even though my instincts told me something was wrong. “What’s up?”
“Is Carlo there?”
“Yes.”
“Keep him with you. Are you still sick?”
“Not too sick to protect him.”
Carlo frowned at me.
“That’s what I figured. Grant thinks Pisano’s men have tracked him here.”
“Shit. The other day I felt like we were being watched.”
“‘We’ meaning the ranch?”
“No, me and Carlo. Rogue found us a few minutes later, and Carlo insisted it was him, but I know what I felt.”
“You were right, or at least Grant thinks so. I’ll give you more details later. We’re doing a perimeter check.”
“No one will get to him while he’s here.” I realized how fierce the words sounded, like the old me.
When I ended the call, Carlo was staring at me. “What was that about?”
He started to slide off my lap, but I held him there. “Someone was watching us. Grant thinks you’ve been found.”
“No. They couldn’t… They won’t find me here. It must be something else.”
He looked terrified, and I wished I could agree with him. “Grant’s very good at what he does. If he thinks there’s a threat to you, he’ll take care of it.”
“They’re already short-handed here. I should go help.”
“No.” I gripped his waist tightly, forcing him to stay where he was. “You’re not going anywhere. I won’t let you put yourself in danger anymore.”
“I’m the son of a mob boss. I know how to defend myself.”
“You told me that’s not your specialty. You like to deceive and run.”
“That doesn’t mean I—”
“Enough. You’re staying here with me. You are mine to protect.”
“I’m yours?”
The softness of his voice and his uncertainty made my chest tighten. I tried to tell him, but I had to swallow and try again. “Yes.”
“That’s… I’m…” He looked me up and down. “Exactly how much better are you feeling?”
I glared at him. “We don’t have time for that now. I need to check around the cabin to make sure there aren’t any signs of someone moving around here. I won’t be able to relax until I’m sure we’re as secure as we can be.”
“At least let me come with you. You shouldn’t tire yourself out.”
I raised my brows. “A second ago, you wanted to—”
“That’s different. All you would have had to do was lie back and let me ride you like a real cowboy.”
“That’s not…”
“You wouldn’t like that?”
“I would, but I need more control.”
“You could order me to do it. Tell me exactly what you like.”
“Jesus. I thought you wanted me to get better.”
“I do, but it’s been too long.”
He was right. Somehow I’d gone nearly two years without a man, and now I couldn’t even wait a few days to get my hands on Carlo again.
“Stay here. Do you have a weapon?”
“I’ve been conditioned to never be without one, but the guards I escaped from took mine, and Grant hasn’t decided to give me one yet.”
“I’ll be talking to him about that.”
“I was a bit of a flight risk.”
“That doesn’t matter now. Reach up on top of the end cabinet.”
Carlo frowned. “How many guns do you have stashed around here?”
“Enough.” Maybe. Not that I used them. I wasn’t even sure I could, but I also wasn’t going to get caught without a weapon.