Page 65 of New Orleans Collection

I feel protected and cherished in a way I’ve never allowed myself to feel before. Maybe it’s not about what I allowed myself to feel and it’s just them—the men who have invaded my life and refuse to let me go.

It’s been three days since the flowers arrived and I haven’t been alone for a moment since then. I should be annoyed by now, especially considering how much time I spent alone before. I’m just not. Wild, right?

Thankfully since I work from home doing the books for all the DSMC businesses, I’m able to work when I want and it’s easy to stay on top of things. It’s not like I have to work at all. My account is plenty full, but I like to be able to indulge in things when I want them without having to run to Daddy for money. How cliché would that be?

My men, because that is exactly what they are, were surprised to find out I’m the one keeping the DSMC accounts in line, but I just giggled and shrugged at the surprised looks on their faces. It’s not something I advertised. I wasn’t mad just because they probably assumed I don’t work considering that is exactly what I wanted people to think.

Today Rocco and Giovanni are out working which means that Leonardo is home with me. I can’t help but smile at the conversation we had first thing this morning when he walked back into my house right before his brothers had to leave.

Leo saw the smile on my face and scowled at me, “This would be easier if you would just agree to stay with us.”

I challenged him from where I was standing in the kitchen, my hands finding my hips as I sassed him, “Easier for whom exactly?”

As Leo stalked across the space between us, looking completely like the dangerous predator he is, his eyes roamed up and down my body. “Easier for everyone. Our place is locked up tight and I know you’d be safe there.”

“I’m safe here,” I pointed out, hating the way the thought of not being safe in my own home made me feel small.

When he was close enough, his hands cupped my face, and the action made me feel dainty and treasured. Then there was the way Leo’s eyes softened as he looked down at me. My mind started reeling while trying to put all the pieces of our past, present, and future together into something that made sense. It wasn’t easy considering it felt like I was missing some pieces. It has felt that way from the moment their eyes heated as they cornered me and asked me about Club Sin and I’m not sure it’ll be going away anytime soon.

“We just want to keep you safe,” Leo’s voice had a hint of pleading in it as his eyes implored me to give into him.

I sighed and muttered, “I’ll think about it.”

The way Leo smiled down at me had my heart pounding in my chest. Gio is the brother who smiles easily. Rocco is the brooding one, but Leo is serious in a way that makes you think he’s incapable of smiling. Seeing him smiling was kind of like the sun coming out after a storm you were positive would last forever.

Then he kissed me in a way that had my mind totally blanking. If he wants me to seriously consider going to their place, then kissing me was not the way to do it. I’m pretty sure I lost a few words and the ability to make those origami game things from elementary school from the kiss alone and I’m not getting that shit back.

Alas, it’s lost forever because I was kissed within an inch of my life by a man I’ve been crushing on since forever.

Yeah, the last few days have been surreal as fuck.

There’s been a lot to find unbelievable. Like how the Guidice brothers seem to have moved in with me, even if only temporarily, without consulting me. Or how they kiss me without warning and don’t give a fuck if their brother is there watching or not. Then there’s how they look at me with soft eyes when I know they are hard men who thrive on strength and never showing weakness.

Things have been quiet, and I haven’t gotten any more flowers. No one has called me that I don’t know. I haven’t seen anything suspicious happening around my house.

I’m almost starting to believe I made the whole thing up.

But the flowers did get delivered along with the card.

It’s possible it was all designed to scare me, but my gut is telling me that isn’t the case. I learned to trust my gut a long time ago. Growing up the way I did meant I relied on my instincts to tell me who I could trust and who was just trying to use me.

It served me well on more than one occasion.

It’s also led me to be more alone in my life than I would probably like. My family, the club, and the Guidice family ended up being the only people who I found I could trust long term.

When a knock comes from the front door, I don’t think twice about going to open it. Probably because a few minutes ago Leo kissed me into a puddle of goo, hearts, and need. I shouldn’t be held responsible for the choices I make in such situations.

Just as I open the door, Leo comes tearing into the room, his eyes wide and wild. He barks, fury rolling off him, “What are you doing, Fleur? Don’t open the door.”

I slam it closed without even looking to see why someone was knocking and the whole reason Leo, Gio, and Rocco have been sticking close fills my mind again. I practically leap away from the door as Leo comes closer.

He kisses my forehead and nudges me toward the couch before he pulls a gun from the small of his back. I gasp softly, but it’s not because he has a gun. I’ve grown up around guns and I’m a pretty good shot myself. I just had no idea he was carrying one in my home.

Leo’s jaw ticks as he opens the door slightly and looks outside, the muscles of his back bunching as his gaze sweeps one direction and then the other. He lets out a sound between a huff and a growl before he bends and picks something up and slams the door closed.

When he turns, there is fire burning in his eyes and my heart is pounding. My voice is shaky, “What is it?”

Leo holds out the box, which clearly isn’t the kind of box that is delivered in the mail. It’s also one I recognize because it’s from a high-end lingerie store in town. It’s the kind of place that only carries imported lace bras and panties, the ones you buy for special occasions or when you want to feel extra special.

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