Page 35 of Her UnBearable Protector

Natale crossed to the door and gently tugged it open.

“Natale?”

Steeling herself, she put a smile on her lips to set the tone of her voice. “Yes, Papa?”

“I’m not worried about the show, Vita Mia. I only worry about you.” She heard a soft chuckle in the otherwise silent room. “I just want you to be safe and happy. If you want me to find another firm to protect you-”

“No, Papa. If anything, I’m thoroughly convinced that the only firm capable of this is Orsino Security. They’ve already proved their worth.”

“All right, Natale. Stay safe. I’ll see you at the show.”

With one last smile for her father, she stepped out into the hallway, and closed the door behind her.

* * *

While Mr. Durante waited for the elevator, the older man studied the closed metal doors emblazoned with the Durante Fashion logo. Salvatore remained just inside the entryway, focused on the workroom. He was still achingly aware of Natale’s father less than twenty feet away.

Neither of them had said a word after Mr. Durante had spoken with his daughter. He’d already said his fill when he arrived at the studio.

Salvatore’s father had roared when he was upset, it was a trait some of the Orsinos had. Anger and passion, any strong emotion, brought the bear up closer to the surface. Fear did the same as well.

Valerio had been the one to speak with Giovanni that morning, traveling to the man’s condo on the other end of the Park. Both brothers had agreed that Natale’s attack should not be hidden from her father, nor should it be done on the phone. They handled things up front and Valerio had volunteered to speak with her father so that Salvatore could remain with her at the studio.

When the elder Durante had approached him less than an hour before, Salvatore was ready for a confrontation. They had discussed, in quiet tones, the events of the night before. Giovanni didn’t ask for details about the man or what had become of him. He only had three questions for the head of Orsino Security.

What injuries had Natale sustained?

Should they cancel the show to protect her?

Was he confident that they’d stopped the threat?

Salvatore knew that he was repeating much of what Valerio had told him earlier at his home, but he would gladly repeat and restate the answers over and over again if it gave her father some peace. He hadn’t slept more than an hour the night before. When he wasn’t loving Natale, learning her taste and the sounds that he could wring from her full lips, he had replayed the dangerous situation from every angle.

He knew that nothing was simple when dealing with the danger of someone obsessed, but he also hadn’t counted on Natale trying to leave him behind. She’d explained her actions, and apologized at length for her part in it. The fear that she’d experienced had driven home the need to follow his rules. His procedure. Now, all they had to do was keep things moving along until the show. The danger was behind them, all they had left to do was keep an eye out for any unforeseen circumstances. Salvatore had no intention of letting Natale go through this on her own.

Giovanni had listened to his answers, nodded his head in the appropriate places of conversation, but he’d also given Salvatore a few shrewd looks of his own. Their conversation, if one could classify the interrogation that way, ended with a few pointed phrases.

“You care for my daughter.”

Salvatore didn't ask the older man how he knew. Giovanni’s pointed questions to Valerio, told him to expect this visit. He wasn't just dealing with a client when he spoke to Giovanni, he was so much more than that. Truth was the only thing he could offer.

Salvatore didn’t try to keep the naked emotion from his voice. “I would die for her.”

The barest hint of a smile touched Giovanni’s lips. “I don't believe you have to go to those extremes to prove yourself to my daughter, Mr. Orsino.”

Oh, but Salvatore did. “If she ever came to any harm through my fault,” he assured her father, “I would pay any price.”

Giovanni nodded and set a hand on Salvatore’s shoulder. “Just keep her safe.”

“Yes, sir.”

The elevators opened and his brother Uberto stepped off, holding the door for Mr. Durante, barely managing a grumbled, “Welcome.” He didn't even wait for the doors to close fully before making his way to Salvatore’s side. Surveying the room of women, Uberto's lip curled back. “Too many skinny women here for my liking.”

“Then it's good that you're here to work and not date.”

Uberto’s scowl was turned up slightly at the corners of his mouth. “I'll remember you said that big brother.”

Almost as if Natale heard them, she looked up from the machine she was working on and gave the brothers a smile.

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