Page 21 of Under His Control

“And do you think I would be careless with my fiancée’s life to allow a stranger near her?” Romeo asked.

No. And I’d be pissed if you slacked in protecting her.

I sighed.

“What’s your biggest concern?” Franco asked.

“Because it’s not every day we find a trained fighter like you. With sniper abilities too,” Romeo said.

“It’s a big shift. Going from the military, to civilian, to… Mafia.”

“You don’t seem like the sort of person to be hung up on labels,” Romeo countered. “At least not when Tess describes you as the guy who rolls so well with punches.”

I shrugged. “It’s just different is all. Besides, after leaving one institution, I’m reluctant to join another and be a dime-a-dozen employee for a big organization again.”

Franco held up his hands. “Hey, no pressure. But please think about it.”

“We’re here to talk about the offer whenever you want to discuss it,” Romeo said.

“I appreciate that.” I did. I was grateful for a hell of a lot that they’d offered me in this last week alone. “I will think about it.” I intended to, not only because I had to provide for Oliviabut because I was slowly getting tempted with the security I could have here—when I wasn’t in danger on the frontlines. “But before I do, is there a car I can borrow?” I faced Franco. “Nina said I should ask you for a ride.”

“I can drop you off,” Romeo offered. “I’m on my way out.”

“Thanks, but I was hoping to make a few stops. I’m past due getting Olivia some things.”

“Ah.” Franco nodded. “I’m sure we can find you something.”

Romeo shook his head and pointed behind me. “Don’t trouble him with a car, finding parking and all. Eva can take him out.”

“I can what?” Eva snapped, coming closer from the entrance to the kitchen where she’d come from. She barely spared me a glance.

“No. No, that’s not necessary.” Fuck no. Anything but forcing me to deal with the icy brat.

“Yeah. You can help get Liam where he needs to stop. You’re used to navigating the city,” Romeo said.

“Why me?” she sassed, smirking. “We have tons of drivers who could do the same thing.”

I shook my head. “Really. No. I’ll figure something else out.”

“Eva. Stop being a pain. Help the man out, huh?” Romeo raised his brows, likely confused about why we were both shooting down his idea to volunteer Eva to help me.

Franco was no help. He grinned, amused.

“I’m not here to be a mooch.” I stepped back. “It’s fine. I’ll figure out something easier.”

Eva narrowed her eyes at me. “Are you implying that I’m difficult?”

“I think… you’re proving that you are without any help from me.”

Her jaw dropped. “I’m not difficult.”

Romeo and Franco shared a look.

“Just… never mind.” I turned, desperate to be further from the woman I couldn’t stop thinking about day and night. Her insistence to avoid me was telling enough. I wasn’t alone in wanting to keep this distance between us. The tension was still there, raging and building with pent-up energy and attraction. A storm was brewing, and it seemed so much safer to keep a buffer of space from her. Because the only alternative was to reach out for her and show her how much I’d missed her since I’d taken her into that closet. It was agony seeing her and knowing she was off-limits.

“No. I’ll take you.”

“I said never mind?—”

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