Page 99 of Fiercely Protective

“Before we talk business or family, or whatever reason has brought here, shouldn’t we have some sort of introduction?”

The man standing by the door stepped forward, but his expression didn’t change, and I got the impression that he was sizing me up as much as I was him.

“This is Colin Quinn. Colin is my sister’s only child and therefore yer cousin.”

“Cousin?” My entire life I had never had family, now suddenly, they were coming out of the woodwork, and I wasn’t sure I liked it.

I glanced from my uncle to the man he claimed was my cousin. He had an arrogant grin on his face that I didn’t like.

My uncle coughed into a handkerchief and took a few deep breaths before continuing. “The doctors are not giving me more than a year left to live and I will not stand by and see ev’rythin’ that I worked for lost or torn apart by greed. Havin’ no sons of my own, I will be leavin’ ev’rythin’ to the two of ye.” His eyes squinted as if he expected me to argue. “Colin will assume all the responsibilities that come with the business interests in Boston and the East Coast. Ye will take over the few business interests that I have in Chicago as well as all international affairs. The funds in my accounts will be split between the two of ye. It is the fairest way I can see things done, and the only way I can make things right.”

He stood slowly from his seat. “My lawyers will be in contact with ye soon. Accept what I am offerin’. There is no reason to refuse.”

I watched as he walked toward the door. Each step seemed harder than the last. The other man came forward and offered his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Cousin.”

I shook his hand. “I’ll reserve judgment for the time being.”

He nodded. “As will I.”

I escorted them down to the lobby but went no farther. I wasn’t sure what to make of my uncle’s request. I had never wanted anything that belonged to my family, nor did I need them. And then there was the cousin. There was something about him that made me uneasy. Hopefully, it was just my suspicious nature, but time would tell.

The stress of it all was beginning to give me a headache and I knew of only one thing that would relieve that stress. After the day I had, all I wanted was Bri.

It was late, and I expected to find Bri already in bed, especially since we were flying out for Europe in the morning. But my angel was not asleep, she was curled up on the sofa reading over another travel book she had purchased for our trip.

I stepped forward and took the book from her hands, causing her to finally notice my arrival.

“Why are you still up, Angel?”

She smiled and I felt my chest tighten.

“I was too excited to sleep.” She stood from the sofa and wrapped her arms around my neck. “Besides, you know I don’t like going to bed without you.”

I lifted her so she could wrap her legs around me as I kissed her lips. “I’m glad you are awake.”

My fingers slipped over the short lacy silk gown she was wearing. After the day’s events, I needed her. She was the one constant in my life. I set her on her feet and stripped the silk gown over her head, smiling because she was still following my no panties rule.

I took a moment to admire her beauty and knew I would never grow tired of it, and just like always, the overpowering need to be inside her took over. I should try to make love to her slowly, but it was never that way between us. There was always an urgency, a burning need to be close, to bring her pleasure. It was intense and something I was unable to suppress. Tonight would be no different. I carried her to the bedroom, knowing she was as eager as I was, knowing she would be accepting of anything I wanted from her. She was mine, all mine, and it would be a cold day in hell before I ever gave up my angel.

.

Three Days Later

Mykonos, Greece

Bri

I had never seen anything more beautiful in my entire life. When Rogue had told me that we would be traveling through Europe for the next month or two, I had not imagined how wonderful it would be. I had never even had a passport beforenow and certainly never imagined that I would be flying in a private jet or staying in luxury suites at five-star hotels. It was like a dream.

Rogue was so attentive and treated me like a princess. He still stepped away to take calls in private and every once in a while, I would catch a slight nod of his head toward one of the men that worked for him, or he would speak softly so I wouldn’t hear what he was directing them to do, but I tried not to think of it.

Eden and I talked a few times, and she convinced me that while our husbands may be monsters to some, they were the men we loved and that was all she needed to know. At first, I couldn’t imagine turning a blind eye to the things Rogue was involved in, but he assured me that he did not traffic women or children, nor did he make money from drugs. The men that he killed were all deserving of their fate, and he would never do anything to hurt me. I never asked any more questions after that conversation. It wouldn’t matter anyway. Rogue would never allow me to leave him, thankfully I didn’t want to.

As I stood on the balcony of the house Rogue had rented on the island of Mykonos off the coast of Greece, I couldn’t imagine being with anyone else.

I heard footsteps behind me and closed my eyes as his strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me into his chest. His lips pressed against the sensitive skin right behind my ear.

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