AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I wanted to be near her. I wanted to make sure she was okay.
I wanted to take care of her.
Which would only piss her off.
And since I’m a sick bastard, I like that.
“Call next time,” she says, her voice flat and hard. “And if I don’t answer the door, assume I’m not home and do what normal people do.”
“Which is… not break in?”
“Yes, Ronan.”
“Noted.” I tilt my head as her kettle whistles. She pours hot water over a teabag and doesn’t offer me any, not that I can blame her. I did nearly give her a concussion, and I absolutely ogled her impressive naked body. “You should come to my office tomorrow.”
I’m not sure why I say it. That’s probably not a good idea. It was bad enough, having her show up at Bloody Strike, but inviting her to my house? When I know there will be a lot of cousins and uncles and aunts around? That’s begging for trouble.
“Why would I do that?”
“You want to discuss more jobs. I’m feeling open to the prospect. I think we can do good business together.”
“Ah, all I have to do is knock my head and flash my tits, and suddenly you’re willing to work with me.” She’s trying not to smile. Cheeky, funny girl. When she’s not busy hating me, at least.
“They are impressive tits, I’ll give you that.”
“Don’t be a dick.” She looks away, grinning to herself. “Yeah, fine, I’ll show up.”
“You have some ideas already?”
“I’m brimming with them.”
“I knew it. Come early, before the rush.”
“The rush?”
I walk back toward the door. “It’s a weekend, love, and I’m the boss. I have duties.”
“That’s the biggest shock I’ve gotten all day.”
I look back at her before I leave. She’s holding up her tea, covering her lips, but I can tell by her eyes that she’s grinning. I picture her naked body again, sprawled in the tub, and I remember Julien’s worry and the sharp edge to his tone, and guilt flutters through me.
She’s Italian. She’s not right for me, even if I’m starting to want her. Getting involved is only a business proposition.
And I could use the work right now. The cousins are restless, but a few big scores will quiet them down. Valentina’s exactly what I need, and I have a feeling I’m what she needs too, at least for a while.
“Just don’t open your door for strangers, love,” I say as I leave.
“Not like I was before, asshole!” she calls after me.
Chapter 10
Valentina
The second I park down the block from Ronan’s place, I can instantly tell this was a bad idea.
There are more cars here than I expected. Men sit on the stoop out front smoking cigarettes and laughing loudly even though it’s still early in the morning. I can’t exactly see inside, but this is an extremely familiar scene.
Back when I was young, my house was like this on weekend mornings. My dad would invite the Famiglia over for big breakfasts where his men would air grievances to him in private. Even men and women from outside the Famiglia showed up to make requests of him, and half the time he’d bring me into these meetings to teach me how to be a leader.
