Page 37 of Dario

She shakes her head and chatters on about something. She must be on something.

"You are the biggest threat,” she says to Dodge, then to me, “Julian would marry me but for you!" She hisses, points the gun and fires at Dodge. I watch in horror as he drops. Fear bounces around inside me. Dover hisses and his breathing gets harsher.

Levi bursts into the room and attacks Theresa, causing chaos. She drops the gun and Levi punches her in the face to stop her from clawing at him.

I run to Dodge as soon as she is subdued, with Dover on my heels. "We need an ambulance," I yell. "Dodge! Oh, my God. Where are you hit?" I struggle with his jacket, checking for blood.

"Shoulder," Dover says, pulling off his sweatshirt. He pulls out a pocketknife and slashes through Dodge's jacket and shirt to expose the wound, then covers it with his sweatshirt.

I sit on the floor holding Dodge's hand. I'm aware of the room filling up, but I don't register anything until I'm pulled into a pair of strong arms that I would recognize anywhere.

Then I break down and cry.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

DARIO

We areboth relieved the whole shit storm is over with. Julian and Theresa are in jail— bailed refused. Wyatt gave Davy a written warning about his conduct toward the female staff—once more and he’s out of a job.

Now, a week later, I decide grocery shopping is fun. I’m sure it has everything to do with Gemma. Her giggling as she adds a variety of vegetables, fruits, and meats to the cart makes me pause. Some- thing is going on. I watch her as her amusement grows. She now adds cornmeal. I catch her eye and she laughs. "Your face." She laughs and swipes at a stray tear. "Madden told me you can't cook, not even toast."

I narrow my eyes and tell her, "I know how to use an air fryer."

She giggles and pushes into my space, wrap- ping her arms around my neck. "I don't care if you can't cook, Dario. I can, and I enjoy it." I grab her hips and pull her closer as she continues, "I'm not with you because of your expertise in the kitchen." She waggles her eyebrows.

"So, you're with me for my expertise in the bedroom, huh?"

Her tongue moves to my ear, her teeth nibble on my earlobe. "Hmm, you have amazing skills in the bedroom."

"Gemma?"

She freezes in my arms and slowly turns around, her grip on my hands is strong as if she’s afraid.

"Wayne, what are you doing here?"

So, this is the stalker who knows both her father and Theresa.

"I don't know where you live, and I wanted to apologize in person." His Adam's apple bobs. "I gave a statement to city investigators about your father and his girlfriend. Theresa told me where you were and how to get to you. I realized they wanted me to scare you, so your guard was down."

He runs a hand through his hair. "I know I'm old-fashioned and controlling, and I'm going to get help for that. I just wanted you to know that I won't contact you again. I let them use me, and I apologize."

The man lifts his eyes to me. "I promise she is safe from me." He returns to Gemma. "I really wish you well, Gemma." He nods before disappearing. I watch him through the store window until he drives away.

"I forgot about him," she confesses.

I put an arm around her shoulders and pull her toward me. "Well, you can forget him again, because I think he was sincere."

She stands on her toes and plants a kiss on my lips, but before I can grab her and deepen it, she pulls away with a wink. "Let's finish shopping and go home."

“Dario,”she moves her hand south, "can I tell you what I want?"

Her fingers wrap around my cock, and a whimper escapes my lips. "Anything!" I groan, as she begins to move her hand.

"I want to ride you." One leg goes over my thighs and then she sits on them, my erection long, thick, and proud, standing between us. "Do you want my mouth first?"

"Fuck, yes!" I arch, my cock pulsing.

Gemma leans in and runs her tongue up my length, making me shiver. Her tongue drags over the piercing, and I want to come right away. As if sensing this, she shifts and slides her body down, engulfing me in her hot, tight, wet heat. Perfect!

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