Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
I sighed. “That would be great. I never expected to need that sort of access again.”
Once Damien had left Hidden Justice and turned over the role of Watcher to someone else, all the equipment had been removed and stored elsewhere. Any access was removed—except, of course, for the man himself. The software we had at Elite was nowhere near as powerful or encompassing.
“I still have some pull,” he stated mildly.
I laughed at his understatement. Then, hearing voices in the background, I decided to let him get on with his day. “I will let you go. Let me know if you come up with anything.”
“I will. He could have come across some old snippet about you. Or heard rumors. He could be a wannabe.”
“Or wants to rob a bank and thinks I could break him in through the basement. He didn’t seem overly bright. More muscle than brains. I think he’s been watching too many movies.”
Damien laughed. “Not to change the subject, but Sofia called me earlier.”
“Oh?”
“It appears you have made some progress with my cousin.”
I thought about the progress I had made. How enjoyable it had been. But I wouldn’t share that with Damien. “Yes. We have talked. I know her past, and she is willing to give us a chance.”
“You should tell her yours. Be honest.”
“I know. I will. Tonight. Once I have cooked her dinner.”
And made love to her so thoroughly that she wouldn’t care much about my sordid past. But I didn’t say that to Damien.
“What does mio uomo mean?” I asked.
“Friend with a big ego,” he replied.
I had to laugh. “She told you to say that.”
He laughed too. “Loosely translated, it means ‘my man.’”
I liked that.
“Good luck.” He paused. “Treat her well, Egan. She’s my family.”
“She’ll be mine as well,” I assured him. “And my world.”
I hung up.
CHAPTER SIX
Sofia
I spent the day relaxing and doing a few errands. I video-called Damien and talked to him, confessing that Egan and I were closer. I didn’t go into details, but he knew what I meant. He was pleased, telling me I couldn’t do better than Egan.
“He’s been crazy about you for a long time, Sofia,” he said. “His patience has been astonishing.”
“His past, his future, still worries me,” I confessed. “But he’s right. People can die for lots of reasons. Refusing to love him on a what-if is wrong. And he is pretty awesome.”
Damien chuckled. “He thinks you’re perfect.”
“I’m hardly that.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell him lots of stories, so he knows.”
I rolled my eyes. Damien grinned. “Come for a visit here. It’s so beautiful.”
“I’ll talk to Egan about it. How’s Raven?”
“She’s great. And Missy has recovered so well. I know she’d love to see you.”
I nodded thoughtfully. After what Missy had been through, she deserved to be in a place that made her happy and with a man like Marcus. I knew he adored her and would ensure her safety and happiness. And Raven and Damien made an awesome couple. So did Julian and Tally. I didn’t know Matteo and Evie as well, but the rare times I had met them, they’d seemed lovely. Egan had mentioned the island more than once. I had to admit, the idea of sun, sand, and a quiet place to relax and spend time with Egan was tempting.
“I’ll talk to him, and we’ll see if we can plan something.”
“Great. I’d love to see you, my favorite cousin.”
I laughed. “Your only cousin.”
He shrugged. “Still favorite.”
We chatted a few moments more, then said goodbye.
I heard the elevator, and I went to the door, knowing it would be Egan. I would have to ask him his thoughts on a trip. I had a feeling I already knew the answer.
I opened my door before Egan could knock. My breath caught at the sight of him. Egan everyday was handsome and sexy.
Egan in a suit was devastating. Suave, sleek. His jacket fit his broad shoulders and tapered waistline to perfection. He had loosened his tie, the top two buttons of his shirt open. I wanted to tuck my finger into the gap and pull. Tear open the shirt and expose the taut muscles it hid. Listen as the buttons hit the floor, then peel off his jacket and shirt and rub my chest against his.
I blinked at the idea. I had a feeling Egan wouldn’t object in the least.
As if he knew what I was thinking, he set down the flowers and package he was carrying and yanked me into his arms. He covered my mouth with his, pushing his tongue in and stroking it along mine. He slipped his hands under the shirt I wore, spreading them wide across my back, pressing his fingers into my skin. He groaned low in his chest as he deepened the kiss. I clung to his shoulders, caught up in a vortex of emotion. Passion flared, and I gripped him harder, whimpering. I registered the sound of my door closing as he kicked it shut. He moved his hands lower, hoisting me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist, and he slid me onto the kitchen counter, his mouth never leaving mine. His erection pressed into me, and I flexed my hips, grinding against him. He groaned again, easing back from my mouth and dropping his head to my neck. His ragged breath was hot on my skin.