Page 61 of New Orleans Collection

“Exactly.” My shoulders slump and even though rage is filling me, I keep my voice low and even. “I had a feeling Fleur needed me. When I got here, she actually jumped on me and clung to me.” This information has matching expressions covering my brother’s faces—arched eyebrows of surprise. “She was completely freaked out, but I still had to almost force her to tell me what was wrong.”

Gio chuckles, “That sounds like our woman.”

“It does,” Leo’s voice is deep with a thoughtful quality to it. He snatches the note back from Gio. “Do you think it’s whoever was asking about her?”

I shrug one shoulder and lean back against the counter. “I figure it must be.” I look to Gio and ask, “Have you heard anything else about him?”

“No and it’s pissing me off.” Giovanni frowns as he stares at the flowers. “I think we should throw them away. I don’t want to upset her when she comes back into her kitchen.”

I almost smile at my brother, but I stop myself because of the stare I feel coming from Leo. When I look at him, his arms are crossed across his chest, and he has an expression on his face I’ve seen many times before. He’s wearing his ‘I’m the big brother and you should listen to me face’.

There have been a lot of times in my life when I have allowed his look to win, but I’m not backing down this time. From the way I stare at him, I hope he knows it.

“Are you going to tell us how it went from you having a feeling Fleur needed you, to you coming over here, and then to you being half naked without your jeans properly buttoned up?”

Gio chuckles under his breath, but I don’t take my eyes off Leo. I cross my arms the same way he is and see a hint of surprise in his eyes. It’s not the only thing I see there, I swear I see a hint of pride as he looks at me, but I don’t allow myself to dwell on it.

“She needed me. She got me,” I answer with a shrug, keeping my voice neutral. “She was in her head and scared.” He opens his mouth to say something, but I don’t let him speak. “She was questioning not only the flowers, but my presence and the night she spent with us. It was written all over her face. She didn’t know she could rely on me, on us.” I shake my head. “Giving her space was the wrong decision.”

Leo’s shoulders slump slightly in defeat. “Maybe it was,” he mumbles, and I know it’s as good as a damn apology from my brother.

Leo has always been a proud man. I think it came from being groomed, almost from birth, to be second in command to Dante. I don’t know if he ever had other dreams, but he’s never mentioned it. I guess none of us had much of a choice, but the reality is that if I wasn’t interested in standing next to my brothers and doing what Guidice’s do, then I probably could have chosen a different path without anyone really questioning it.

I always looked up to Dante, Leonardo, and Giovanni. I wanted to be just like them and the path in front of me was clear. I was going to make sure I had a place within the family business, no matter what. It wasn’t always easy because I’m the baby, but I made sure to be as ruthless as any of my brothers and I earned the respect of those around me.

“I don’t want to give her any more space,” Gio’s agreement has me looking at him and he winks at me as he flashes a grin. “I want to be able to feel her pussy around me and that sure as fuck isn’t going to happen if we keep giving her space.” I shake my head at my brother as the corner of my mouth twitches. He pouts slightly and points out, “You got to be buried inside of her twice.”

“I don’t think we should be keeping score,” I give him a cool look to hide my amusement.

“Fucking hell,” Leo grumbles.

Gio throws his hands up, his voice accusatory as he turns toward Leo, “What? You got in her ass, man. You have no room to fucking grumble. I mean, don’t get me wrong,” he backpedals slightly, “her mouth is a thing of fucking beauty, but I have other holes to explore.”

“You know this might cause problems between the family and the Devil’s Saints,” Leo’s voice is soft and resigned.

I look at Leo and know he can see the challenge in my eyes. “Is that going to stop you? Because it sure as fuck isn’t going to stop me.”

He stands a little bit taller. “She’s ours and nothing is going to stand in my way.”

Gio slaps his back, the sound loud in the quiet of the house and I internally wince. “Then why are you trying to throw roadblocks out there?”

“Because you need to be prepared. Lucifer and Prodigal probably won’t be pleased.” Leo sighs, a hint of hope in his voice, “Or they might realize there isn’t anyone better to make the DSMC princess happy and keep her safe.”

“After they kick our asses,” Gio points out, trying to lighten the mood.

Leo nods solemnly and it’s clear he’s serious and not trying to fight a smile. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it happens.”

“It’s a good thing I’m scrappy as fuck.” Gio flexes his arms and pretends to throw a few jabs at Leo’s chest who simply swats his hands away. “I’m not going to let them try and scare us off our woman.” He straightens and gets serious. “She’s ours.”

“She is,” Leo agrees.

“She most definitely fucking is,” I add on.

We share a look and I know the three of us are on the same page.

“Fucking finally,” Gio mumbles, “this whole giving her space thing was not working for me.”

I shake my head and smile as I look at my brother who looks kind of like a toddler who had his favorite toy taken away. For him, that’s probably true. Women flock to him and he never had to work hard when he wanted to blow off some steam.

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