Sophie is still angry with me. She hasn’t spoken to me in a day. I have learned that I fucking hate it when she’s upset with me. I truly despise it, but I wouldn’t change what I did. When Gianni called me and told me a man was flirting with Sophie, showing interest, and asking her out, I felt rage.
But also jealousy.
A lot of it.
I had never felt so out of my depth. I’ve never cared about any woman enough to think twice. Even my longest relationships, I wouldn’t care if other men flirted. I knew those women were a means to an end. They weren’t permanent. I never felt the overwhelming need to love them, to let me love them, to let me consume them.
Sophie is different.
Ever since Sophie walked into my office, I’ve known she was mine. I knew there would be no other woman in my life.
The call I was on when Gianni sent me the message immediately ended and I said I’d reschedule. When I saw that man close to her, laughing, leaning in, wanting more of what was mine, I knew I had to put an end to it.
I did. I was successful in my efforts, but those same efforts have pushed her away.
She hasn’t spoken to me since the park yesterday.
“How are you doing, Matias?” Gianni asks, just as I take off my blazer and undo my tie. I plop on the couch and take a swig of beer.
“I’m fine. You?”
“You lie,” he says, taking the spot next to me.
“I’ve had a long day.” The runner that stole from me has been found and dealt with. I hate having to kill my own men, but I have to make an example of them when they turn their backs on me. “Castillo wants me to meet him at his casino. I think he wants me to go into the business. Own half of the casino and he says I can use the basement for my own dealings, but I’m not sure I want to do that.”
“Sounds perfect. What’s the holdup? That could open new doors for us.”
“I don’t know if I want new doors, Gianni.” I take another drink of my beer. “We have enough on our plates. I can’t have any more time taken from Ella.”
“You wouldn’t have to. Delegate.”
I blow out a breath, unsure, but relent. “I’ll think about it.”
Gianni leans back and checks the monitor. I have those monitors all through the house so I can keep an eye on Ella at all times and so can everyone else.
She’s taking a nap right now and it makes me wonder if this life is what is best for her. She’s just as much protected as she’s in danger. I don’t want her to grow up and realize she hates me for my job, for this business the family runs. She’ll have it one day if I never have a son. Usually, men are in charge, but I think that should change.
“How is it going with Sophie?”
“It isn’t. She won’t speak to me. I need to apologize to her for how I handled the situation yesterday, but I’m not going to apologize for the outcome.”
“She’s a tough one. She’ll keep you on your feet.”
I smirk. “Yeah, she will.”
“Have you looked at her file yet?”
“No. I didn’t want to read too much. Why?”
“I think we need to keep an eye on her ex-boyfriend.”
That grabs my attention. I lean forward, placing the beer on the table, and my elbows on my knees. “Why? What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure. His background is too clean, and he didn’t actually exist until five years ago.”
I sneer at his words, knowing this guy is dangerous then. No one ever just comes to existence randomly like that. Not without a bad reason.
“I want you to dig as deep as you can. I don’t care who you have to kill in the process,” I tell him.
“I was thinking the same thing.” Just as he stands, his eyes move across the room, and he nods politely. “Ms. Sophie, how are you doing today? You look beautiful.”
I spin around to see her, and suddenly, I can’t remember how to breathe.
“Thank you, Gianni. I appreciate that.”
“I have to go update my security team on something. Excuse me.” Gianni leaves us, and the moment we’re alone, I feel it.
The air becomes heavy with tension and chemistry. Anger ticks her jaw as she gathers her purse from the rack. Unable to stop myself, I let my gaze run down her body, noticing her outfit. She’s wearing another off-the-shoulder long-sleeve shirt.
I fucking love those shirts. Her skin is flawless and shines from how smooth it is. I am desperate to touch her, to feel us touch and explore this bomb between us as the fuse burns.
When this explodes—and it will—we will burn together.
I’m about to apologize for how I acted yesterday when she turns to face me. Her makeup is done, and her hair is up in a deliberately messy bun, a few long curls framing her face. The delicate curve of her neck is available for anyone to lean in and kiss, to drag their lips against her skin, to have her gasp for breath while kissing the spot under her ear.
God, I bet she’s begging for more.
“Where the hell are you going?” I let slip out, not wanting her to go anywhere that doesn’t have me glued to her side.
“It’s my day off, Matias. So, it’s not your business what I do or where I go on personal time.”
I’m in front of her before she can even think about spouting off her next sassy word. I pin her against the wall and her breasts rub around my chest. Her nipples harden, poking through the material of her t-shirt, and it takes all I have not to rip her shirt off, and suck one of them into my mouth.
“The fuck it isn’t my business. You’re my business, Sophie. Whether you like it or not.”
“How is it—”
I do something I shouldn’t. I use my daughter as an excuse. “Where you go and whom you hang out with matters because anything you do on the outside could come here and I won’t have my daughter in danger.”
She laughs, but not in the sense that she finds something funny. It’s more of an ironic, sarcastic laughter. Sophie shoves me in the chest, but I don’t move.
“Oh, you’re something else. You’re worried about me bringing home something dangerous when it’s you—” she pokes me in the chest “—That literally kills and bribes for a living? Screw you, Matias.”
My hand gently traps her against the wall by wrapping it around the nook where her shoulder meets her neck. I lean in, brushing my nose against hers, and whisper. “Name the time and place, Sweet Sophie, and I’ll give you the best fuck of your life.”
Her mouth parts in shock, desire, and curiosity brewing in her gorgeous blue depths.
I shove her legs apart and insert my knee, dragging my fingers across that bit of bare skin showing on her shoulder.
Goosebumps rise on her skin, and I drag my nose across her jawline, one hand gripping the thick curve of her hip. I press my pelvis against her so she can feel what she fucking does to me. She has me testing every ounce of control there is.
“You say the word, Sophie. And I’ll be your first.” I slide my hand down her spine. “Your last.” My eyes flutter shut as I inhale her scent, reminding me of flowers on a spring day. “I’ll fuck you every day, so all your wants are met. All your needs. Just say the word, Sophie. And I’m yours.”
She swallows and I’m able to see her throat bob, guiding me closer to her pulse. One kiss. It’s all I want.
“Matias,” she says my name on a gust of air, her fingers digging into my arm.
“Sophie.” My lips are so close to hers, I can feel every exhale.
She groans, then shoves me hard enough to let me know she wants me to step back. I do, giving her space to breathe. Both of our chests are rising in hard beats as we stare at one another. Her eyes fall to my cock, and I don’t hide how hard I am or how much I want her.
Goddamn it, I’d make it good for her. Every fucking time she allowed me to have her body, I’d make sure every experience was better than the last.
Her eyes widen when she sees the massive tent in my pants. I expect us to talk about what just happened, but instead, she runs.
“Sophie!” I call for her as she runs down the steps and swings open the front door.
A few of my men are standing there smoking, and Gianni is walking up the driveway from the gate.
“Sophie, wait. Let’s talk. Whatever it is you have planned, cancel. I’ll take you out to dinner and we can talk about this.”
She’s looking around frantically, not listening to me.
“Sophie, please. Stay.” I grab her arm and she yanks it free.
“Where is my car, Matias?”
Fuck.
The car.
I forgot to mention that.
Gianni walks up the stairs and lights a cigarette, joining his security team to enjoy the show.
“I got rid of that damn death trap and got you a safe car. A car that is reliable and will protect you if anything bad were to happen.”
Her eyes glass over, filling with tears, and I immediately miss the lust. I want her desire back, not her sadness. “That was not up to you. You can’t just get rid of my car without talking to me about it, Matias.”
“I made sure to stick with the Beetle you like so much. It’s a newer version. Safer, Sophie. It isn’t hazardous. I need you to be safe.”
“I want my car back.”
I rub my chin and shake my head. “No. I won’t budge on this, Sophie. You’re going to have my daughter in your car sometimes and I want her, and you, to be safe.”
She steps closer to me, cheeks red from how angry she is. “I bought that car with my own money, and I never want anyone to do me any favors. That car was mine and you have no right to take that from me.”
“This car is yours, too, Sophie. I’m not trying to take from you. I’m trying to give.” I speak with my hands, flinging them in an outward motion toward her. “I want you safe.”
“And I could have gotten a new car with my salary. I can take care of myself.”
“Maybe I don’t want you to.”
She heads down the steps. “That isn’t up to you!” she shouts. “Where is my car?”
“The keys are in it.” I point to the new Beetle. “Your old car has been dealt with.” I actually have it in a garage that holds a few of the other vehicles I like to trade out every so often. I didn’t get rid of it, even though it deserves to be in a junkyard.
She lets out a growl of frustration, throwing her hands in her hair as she stomps to her new car. And when she gets in, Sophie slams the door.
She can be mad all she wants, but I know she loves it.
The bright red Beetle fits her personality perfectly. She gasses it out of the driveway, the tires spinning against the driveway, and for some reason, I step forward to chase after her to tell her to drive safe, but Gianni grabs me by the shoulder.
“Let her go, Matias.”
“I can’t.” I tug the ends of my hair. “She drives me insane.”
“You need to remember she has only been here a few days. Days, Matias. You can’t take over her life when she already feels submerged by moving in to be a nanny. You’re coming on too strong.”
“I don’t know another way to be. She’s mine,” I seethe, through tight teeth. “I want you to follow her. Tell me where she’s going.”
“Matias, that is not a good idea. She’ll come back.”
“Follow. Her. There’s a GPS in her car. It’s programmed into all vehicles. Keep me updated.”
“This is a mistake.”
“And it’s mine to make,” I sneer.
Gianni nods reluctantly and hurries down the steps to the nearest SUV. “I’ll let you know her every move.”
“Good.”
I’ve never felt so out of sorts.
“Mr. Milazzo?” Sergio, a new member, stops just outside the door with the monitor in his hand. “She’s asking for you.”
“Thank you, Sergio.” I rush inside, a headache threatening.
When I get to Ella’s room, she’s crying.
“Ella Bella, what’s wrong?” I lift her into my arms, noticing how flush her cheeks are.
“I don’t feel good, Daddy.” I place my hand against her forehead.
It’s warm. “Aw baby, it’s okay. I have you. I’ll get you some medicine, okay?” As soon as I say it, she throws up all over the front of my shirt, then starts to wail again.
“I’m sorry,” she screeches, holding onto her stomach.
“I don’t care about that. Not one bit. Come on. Let’s get you some medicine and get you cleaned up. Do you want to lie in my bed?” I know how much she prefers that when she’s not feeling well.
She nods, sniffling, while big fat tears run down her cheeks.
“Come on.” I lift her into my arms to see Sergio at the end of the hall with Micha and Santino. “Can you please do me a favor and grab her dirty sheets? She’s sick. We’ll be in my room for the rest of the evening. If you need me, call.”
“Yes, Mr. Milazzo,” Sergio says quickly, eager to please.
“And please bring me water, juice, and crackers, and an ice pack,” I add.
“Right away.” Sergio busies himself in the kitchen.
“Knock before you come in.” Ella needs to change and wash the sick from her arms, mouth, and neck. It got all over.
She starts crying again when her stomach rolls.
“It’s okay. We’re in the bathroom now.” I lift the toilet seat and set her down just in time for her to throw up again. “My poor Ella Bella.” I rub her back in soothing circles. “I’m going to start a shower, okay? And bring you fresh clothes.”
She nods through the tears, and I notice that the ends of her hair by her face have vomit on them too.
After cleaning her off, washing her hair, and putting on her new clothes, I tuck her into bed. She rolls to my side just as a knock on the door sounds.
I rip off my soiled shirt. “Come in.”
“I have the items you requested, Mr. Milazzo. I hope you don’t mind, but I placed it all in a cooler.” He rolls the cooler into the bedroom. “Medicine is in the side pocket.”
“Thank you, Sergio. I appreciate it. You’re in charge while Gianni is away. Do regular sweeps. Keep me updated on what’s going on in the city. There’s no doubt I’ve made noise having to kill a runner.”
He nods, trying to hide his shock of being in charge. “Absolutely. Thank you for the opportunity.” He bows before he leaves.
I toss my dirty laundry in the hamper and take a fast shower, dress in fresh clothes, and snag the medicine from the side pocket of the cooler.
Only my little girl is already asleep. I decide to wait, not wanting to wake her, and crawl into bed. She rolls over and places her head on my shoulder and I wrap my arm around her, wanting to keep her close.
The only way this moment would be better was if Sophie was on the other side so Ella would be protected by both parents.
Gianni is right. I’m moving too fast.
But when it comes to something I want, I only know one speed.
