Page 55 of Captivated

Joe was still struggling to answer her back. Likely because he didn’t want to tell her no, or make it seem like he was rejecting her again. The very last thing he wanted Liliana to feel was as though he had just fucked her and run like a coward after. Because really, he hadn’t gotten to see her again since that night. At least, not while she knew.

Most of his days were spent following her around, and making sure she was safe, now. But that left him with very little time to do anything else, and the girl was a damn social butterfly. Always out and about, and it wasn’t like he could step in public and make himself known.

Not in the job description, unfortunately.

There was nothing more he wanted than to climb back on a plane, and head to New York to spend an evening with her instead of this goddamn bar opening.

And he hated flying.

Shit, that alone should have told Joe something.

Finally, he answered Liliana’s text back with a simple, How about Monday? Something came up.

Monday is good—I am free anytime after four.

Joe grinned down at his phone, pleased that had worked in his favor. Monday it is, sweetheart.

He stuffed his phone back into his pocket just as Cory rounded the bar with one of his usual cocky grins. “What are you behind here smiling like a fucking boy for?”

Joe gave his brother a look. “I am not. I’m … enjoying a good opening.”

He mentally patted himself on the back for coming up with that lie. Although, he should have known better because if there was anyone in his life who knew him well, it was Cory. He couldn’t hide shit from his brother.

“Nah, you were checking out your phone,” Cory said, resting an elbow to the bar. “And I know how much you hate these openings—you only like owning businesses because money. Cut the shit, and tell me what’s up.”

Yep.

“Just drop it,” Joe muttered.

“Met someone in New York?”

Joe stared hard at Cory, and silently willed his brother to go away. And of course, when he didn’t, all Joe could do was shake his head. “How do you even guess shit like that?”

“So, I’m right, then.”

Cory grinned in that way of his again.

Joe kind of wanted to punch him in the mouth.

“Maybe I met someone,” Joe finally settled on saying. He knew how his brother worked, and if he didn’t give Cory something to chew on for a while, then his brother would never shut up until he did get what he wanted. “And maybe it’s a little complicated because of circumstances and the job I’m supposed to be doing.”

“Who is she?”

“You don’t care, Cory.”

“Hey.”

The hurt in his brother’s tone actually made Joe turn to face his brother full on. Cory cocked a brow in challenge, and his posture matched with arms crossed over his broad chest. Both Rossi brothers were tall, wide, and built like brick shithouses. Something they took from their father, he supposed.

“I get you’re not like me, Joe,” Cory said.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

“Women, dumbass. You’re not like me with women.”

“To say the least,” Joe muttered.

Women were like tissues to Cory. Fun and easy to use, and then quickly disposed of once he had gotten what he wanted from them. Joe didn’t have serious relationships, but he wasn’t interested in just busting a nut and moving on, either.