Page 60 of Fiercely Protective

Michael’s face turned ashen. “You can’t kill Frankie’s son, it will be signing your death warrant, as well as your wife’s.”

“So, I am to let it go? Allow him to continue to torment her, or perhaps I should call a meeting and return her to him.” I thrust my hands in my pockets, trying to control the anger threatening to explode from me. I seldom lost my temper with Michael but tonight I felt it beginning to flare.

“I’m not suggesting anything of the sort, and you know it. My God, Rogue, you know me better than that. I am just trying to get you to think rationally. There must be another way.”

I shook my head in disgust. “Even if there were a way to buy him off, I still wouldn’t do it. He hurt her and for that, he is going to die by my hand. It’s as simple as that.”

Michael blew out a slow ragged breath. “Well, if you are determined to do something so foolish, you will need help. Tell me what I can do.”

I stepped forward and placed my hand on his shoulder. “You are a good friend, Michael, but you left this world a few years back and started a new one. I will not be the one responsible for pulling you back into the depths of my sin and immorality.”

“I wasn’t asking permission, Rogue. You are faced with two equally dangerous threats and as your friend, I will not allow you to face them alone.”

I nodded knowing how stubborn he could be once his mind was set on something. “Thank you for supper tonight, Michael. But I must get back toSinners. I have been neglecting it the past few days for obvious reasons.”

I walked back into the kitchen and saw Bri sitting in the same place where I had left her, but her face was pale and her eyes wide. “Haven’t I already cautioned you about listening at doorways?”

“You should have told me.”

“Told you what, love?”

She stood up and threw her napkin on the table. “You should have told me that Tony’s father was a mafia hitman!”

I moved quickly, wrapping my arms around her. “It never came up in conversation and how would you knowing have benefitted the situation?”

She struggled against me. “You are crazy.”

“Maybe so, but you really should have more trust in me. I didn’t get to where I am in life by being careless. Now, would you like to spend the rest of the night arguing about something I willnot change my mind about or hurry to the club so I can finish my business there before I give you the surprise I have planned?”

Her lips thinned into a straight line and her eyes narrowed just a fraction. “You could have just sent me away once you found out who Tony was and the people he is connected to.”

“I could have, but where would be the fun in that?” I leaned forward and kissed her quickly before she could utter another word. “Come let’s go before Michael tries to feed us dessert. Blaze will be at the club waiting for us.”

I took her hand and led her from the kitchen. Michael was waiting for us by the stairs that led out of the basement back up the sanctuary of the church. “Thank you for supper, Michael.”

He nodded toward me before taking Bri’s hand. I had a brief moment of jealousy course through me as they locked eyes. It was as if some sort of silent communication passed between them, and I found myself envious of the bond she seemed to be forming with Michael and Blaze. I wanted her to have faith in me, to trust me, as she was beginning to them.

“Brielle, thank you for coming with Rogue tonight. I hope you have a pleasurable evening and if you ever need anything, I will be here.”

She smiled sweetly. “Thank you. But perhaps you will still be able to talk some sense into him.”

Michael laughed as he shook his head. “I have never been successful in making Rogue see reason. Once he has set his path, he doesn’t deviate.”

“We have to go. The two of you can talk about saving my life or my soul another time. I have work to do.”

I took Bri’s hand and together we began walking up the stairs. When we stepped out onto the street outside the church, I took my coat off and draped it across her shoulders as it began to rain. I hurried her to the car and climbed in beside her. She was quiet but I could tell that hearing the news of Tony’s stepfather had her worried. If I wanted to see more of her smiles, I would have to settle this matter quickly, because my angel would have no peace until her fears were laid to rest.

Bri

Knowing that Tony’s stepfather was a hitman should have been more of a shock to me, but instead, it felt like just another piece of the puzzle coming together. His cruelty, the things he had said in passing when we were together, his having the connections to find me, and being mixed up with the type of people he claimed to know all started to make sense. What I couldn’t understand was why he wouldn’t give up, why he continued to search for me. Was it his pride because I had refused him, or was he just that sadistic? Either way, now the man sitting beside me had vowed to kill him if he tried to hurt me again, which puts his life in danger.

I watched as the rain droplets slid down the window of the car as it moved through the streets, taking us back to where it all began, his nightclub,Sinners. I turned away from the window to find him watching me.

“Come here, Angel?”

The driver raised the partition between the seats giving us complete privacy.

I wanted to turn away, ignore the command in his voice, but there was something about him that compelled me to submit. As I moved closer to him, his hands spanned my waist to lift me so that I sat straddled across him, my hands instantly going to his shoulders.

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