Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70269 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Maybe.
I tried to deepen the kiss, but he pulled back. “Let me take care of your problems my way.”
I was going to have to spell things out and hope he didn’t get too offended. “I can’t openly date a mobster. Not when I’m trying to beat my reputation as a gambling addict and a manwhore. If I drag this team into some kind of scandal, my career is over.”
“We don’t have to be together publicly. I’ll have guards with you.”
Was he really going to agree that easily? “You aren’t going to insist on being the one who’s by my side?”
“I want to, but I’m not going to fuck up your career. You deserve a chance to be a star, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to help you get there.”
For the first time, I believed there might actually be more to his interest in me than horniness and a desire to conquer.
“So, if you have guards watching me, are you still coming to my games?”
He smiled. “Damn right I am, but I don’t have to be seen with you unless you’re in danger. I will take any action necessary to save you.”
I wasn’t going to argue with that. I couldn’t play hockey if I was dead. “Don’t you have work to do for your family? Can you really be near me all the time?”
“I’ll manage, and when I can’t be with you, I’ll leave your safety in the hands of someone I trust.” The doorbell rang. “That should be Six and Muffin. I trust them to have my back, so I trust them with you.”
Those were sure interesting names. He headed to answer the door, and I followed. “Sit down. I’ll take care of this.”
“I’m capable of introducing myself to a bodyguard.”
“These are my men, and they take orders from me.”
How did he go from making me swoon to pissing me off so fast? “That’s enough with the controlling shit.”
“You don’t know anything about control yet.”
“Vito—”
“Tell me you didn’t love what we just did?”
I refused to answer.
“That’s what I thought. Let me take care of this.”
Vito stepped out into the hall with the men for a few minutes. When he came back in, they followed. Both men were well over six feet tall, and their shoulders were as wide as the doorframe.
“Zeke, this is Six and Muffin. Six is going to stay here in your apartment whenever I can’t be here, and Muffin will man the building’s perimeter.”
I said hi, and both men nodded. I supposed they didn’t do a lot of talking in their line of work. Having the two of them standing in my living room made it feel half its usual size. How was I going to get used to having intimidating strangers around all the time?
Vito sent Muffin back outside and Six began inspecting the apartment to see how secure it was. Vito pulled me to him. “I’ve got to leave. I need to go talk to my family since we’re going to need their help to take care of Benito.”
“When are you coming back?”
“As soon as I can. It’ll probably be late, but I’ll try to hurry. Believe me, I don’t want to leave you at all.”
I stared at him trying to comprehend. “You’re saying you’re going to come back and stay here?”
“That’s right. I’ll send Six outside, and I’ll be here to guard you.”
I frowned. I couldn’t be hearing him right. “You’re moving in with me?”
“You need a bodyguard twenty-four seven.”
“I thought that’s what Six was for.”
“I don’t want another man in your apartment all night.”
“Vito, this is too much. You’ve been following me, spying on me. You forced your way up here today.”
He held up a hand. “You invited me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You coerced me into inviting you up here today, then you….”
“Sucked you off until you were begging for more?”
“Yes, but this is all too much, too fast. I didn’t agree to live with you.”
“You need protection. I told you I would do that for you.”
“I didn’t think you meant—”
He placed a finger over my lips. “I’m staying here to protect you. Everything else can go at whatever pace it needs to. I’ll wait as long as I need to, but you will be mine.”
“You’re crazy.”
“You’ve got to stop saying that, baby. You’re going along with it all. Does that mean you’re crazy too?”
“I’m a fuckup.”
He cupped my head and made me look at him. “No, you’re not. You’re a talented hockey player. You’ve worked your way up to get what you wanted. You’ve made some mistakes. We all have. We’re going to fix those, and you’re going to be able to do everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“Why are you so sure about that?”
“Because I believe in you.”
“Why? You know how badly I fucked up.”
“I don’t need to know anything other than what I know already. I know how hard you’re trying. You deserve help. You deserve someone to take care of you.”