Page 56 of Fiercely Protective

“It’s just dinner and Michael likes to see you from time to time.”

Blaze moved to the door. “Then tell him to stop by the club after midnight. There will be plenty of people there needing salvation.” He opened the door. “Once you have news from Alessio, let me know. If Tomas is going to be in town, I want advance notice. Don’t fucking surprise me with that shit.”

He shut the door a little more forcibly than expected, and I knew he was more concerned than he wanted me to see. Blaze was an asshole most of the time, but he was loyal to a fault, and I wouldn’t want anyone else by my side when faced with any threat.

I walked over to the windows and looked outside; the skies were beginning to darken, and rain looked imminent. Gloomy weather typically delighted me, and fit my mood, but now that I had Bri in my life, I found myself longing for sunshine. I looked at my watch and my mind drifted to thoughts of her and what she could be doing right now. I felt an urge to go to her, a desire to touch her. I wanted to make certain she was still there.

I glanced back at the desk; there were proposals, financials, and investments that I needed to look over and approve, but all I wanted right now was her. I walked over to the desk and picked up the stack of files that my assistant had placed there for me to review, but it could wait. Right now, I needed her more than I did anything else. And with her this close, why wait?

Bri

I didn’t know how long Rogue would be gone. After we had a delicious breakfast of the best crepes and strawberries I have had in my life, he insisted on drawing me a hot bath. Of course, it wasn’t that simple, everything the man did was sensual. He slowly undressed me, his caress making my skin prickle, and then carried me to the tub. After making certain I had everything I needed, he left me alone to soak and relax. But being alone in the large penthouse, no matter how secure it was, didn’t make me feel comfortable. Every creak, every noise made me jump. I hated this feeling. I hated feeling like a victim and it was time I did something about it. So, I got out, dried off, and went to the closet to put on a pair of jeans and a soft cotton top.

Now I sat on the sofa near the window, watching the busy streets of the city below, and while I wanted to forget, I wanted the nightmares to stop, I couldn’t help but wonder if Tony was down there somewhere waiting for his chance. The thought made me a little nauseous. I brought my knees up to my chest and wrapped my arms around them. I glanced at the elevator doors. He had not warned me about leaving, but I had a feeling he had taken precautions against it. At least he hadn’t handcuffed me again. Although, the urge to run was not as strong as before. I was more afraid of what waited for me outside his sphere than I was of the man himself.

When the elevator doors opened, I turned to see Rogue walking toward me. “I didn’t think you would be back so soon.”

“And I thought you would still be in the bath. I am disappointed.”

I looked away from the obvious desire I saw in his eyes. “I know you told me to relax but I couldn’t. It was just so quiet.” The way he was looking at me made me feel uncomfortable.

“You still do not feel safe.”

My head shot up at his words.

“How can I feel safe? With everything that has happened to me, you can’t expect me to feel anything but a measure of uncertainty and fear.”

“I can expect you to feel a great deal more than that.”

I looked away. “I just wonder where I would be, what I would be doing if Tony had never come into my life. If I had never fled to Chicago to escape him. If I had never walked into your club that night? Would I have married a high school history teacher, drove a minivan, and maybe had three kids and volunteered with the PTA?”

He reached down, grabbed my wrist and pulled me to my feet. “Enough! None of that matters now. You did come to Chicago, and you did walk into my club. And the moment you did, you became mine and I want everything, every smile, your laughter, your tears, every thought, every dream, it all belongs to me.” He leaned down and kissed me, his lips hard and consuming. “And I will conquer every fear and all your anxiety, but I will not have you ever imagining your life with another man, or him putting his babies in your belly.”

A loud gasp came from my lips as he ripped open the shirt I was wearing. One hand gripping my wrists and pinning them behind my back.

“You still don’t understand it. So I guess I will have to keep trying to make you comprehend. I won’t deny that a part of me hopes you are a slow learner.”

His lips came down on the side of my neck and I felt his teeth nipping lightly at the skin there before he picked me up in his arms and carried me back to the bedroom. Fighting him was no longer an option. I wanted him, I yearned for his touch and the sensations they elicited from me. I was fully aware of the kind of man that he was, and it didn’t matter to me anymore. The biggest concern I had now was after he tired of me, and I was sure he would, how would I be able to move on with my life? I knew another man could never touch me and make me feel this way. I had been through hard times before, but could I survive a broken heart?

Chapter Thirteen

Rogue

I was waiting in the kitchen while Bri changed clothes. The white shirt and jeans she had been wearing earlier could not withstand the urgency with which I had to have her naked again and in my bed. But while I wanted nothing more than to spend the entire day with her long legs wrapped around my waist, some things needed to be done. Things that couldn’t wait.

I poured myself a cup of coffee hoping it would help staunch the raging lust I had for my wife while I conducted business. Whiskey had not helped, and I was beginning to think there wasn’t anything that would free me from her spell. Even after just fucking her, I found myself wanting her still.

The buzzing vibration of my phone drew my attention away from the fantasies my mind was eagerly creating. I saw the name on the screen and grinned. I had been wondering how long it would be before Alessio tried to insert himself into my troubles.

Bri had yet to make an appearance, so I decided it was best to go ahead and answer. No doubt he would keep calling until I did anyway.

“I was expecting a call from you sooner or later.”

“And I thought you were smart enough not to antagonize a mafia hitman.”

I frowned, not really in the mood for a lecture. “You have talked to Blaze?”

Men like us had very few friends or people in our inner circles. Alessio Messina was one of those that I trusted and considered a friend. He ruled New York with the same fierceness that I ruled Chicago.

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