Page 39 of Under His Control

“Come in,” he called out. Even through the door I heard the fatigue in his voice.

“Morning, Liam.” It was just him in here, despite Tessa implying that Romeo and Franco had been up with him all night, following up. “What can I do for you?” He looked me over, like taking inventory of the wounds I’d incurred last night. But he wouldn’t make a fuss about them.

“You can hire me,” I said as I stood at the ready, hands behind my back.

He reclined in his chair as he swiveled it to face me. “About time.”

I cocked my head to the side. “What?”

He huffed a single bark of laughter. “It’s been hard reminding myself that you’re not already one of us. You’ve fit in since day one.”

Not sure about that… Because I was fitting myselfinyour niece that first night I was here…

“You care about Tessa. Nina too. You’re learning to take care of Olivia. Some men are just born with the innate need to serve and protect, and no matter where you are, youarea soldier at heart.”

And Eva.But he wouldn’t know about that. I nodded once. “I’d lay my life on the line for any of them.”

“I can see that.” He stood and extended his hand for me to shake. “And I’d be honored to recruit you. However…”

Dammit. I hadn’t counted on a catch.

“Not just yet. You’re still getting used to Olivia. Learning you’re a father isn’t something to rush.”

“I’ll look into finding a sitter for when I’m on the clock.”

He deadpanned at me. “As if we won’t have enough staff here wanting to help with her.”

I smiled. “But I would like to find somewhere for us to stay. I’m sorry that we’ve been overstaying this long already as we visited.”

“No worries there.” He patted my back. “We’ve got a lot of work being done on our properties, but there are a few houses in the area you can take your pick from.”

Assuming my salary will cover it?“I appreciate that. I’ll pay you back once I start receiving pay.”

He chuckled. “Pay that we haven’t even discussed. You don’t have to worry about a thing.”

“No,” I insisted. “I’ll pay you back for your generosity.”

Looking me dead in the eye, he smiled. “You already have. I’m already in great debt toyou, Liam, for your instinct and willingness to protect Eva.”

I sobered at the reminder. Covering her and making sure she was safe was likely the reason the Devil’s Brothers had targetedme and picked a fight with me last night. But I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

“I’d protect her a thousand times again,” I replied, meaning every word.

He nodded and patted my back again. “I respect that, Liam, and I appreciate it. We’ve been going through a lot of changes in the family lately. Nina and Tessa coming into our lives. A baby on the way. Even you and Olivia fitting in with us. But Eva will always be the woman I consider my daughter. She’s always mattered to me, and I will never stop fearing for her safety as we navigate the rising tensions with our enemies.”

I swallowed, feeling put on the spot with his open admission of feeling vulnerable about her. This was becoming an awkward moment, like this wasn’t a matter of me accepting his job offer and to work for his Mafia organization but more like it was a meet-the-parents sort of thing.

Dante had no clue how much Eva meant to me. As someone to play around with. Someone to share a quickie in the shower with. Even as more, as a woman I’d want to date and keep as my partner.

No one here knew that we were keeping up an affair in secret. And if this Mafia boss were aware…

How mad would he be?

He seemed so cool with me, not like a hard ass crime lord, but this was the woman he considered his daughter. His precious niece.

At the very least, I bet he would’ve wanted a heads up that Eva and I were…

I mentally cringed, hating myself all over again for what I said to her. I hadn’t been thinking straight, reacting to the new and real threat of really wanting her. Committing to the army was easy. I struggled with committing to Dante’s organization,but I’d gotten there. Settling and committing to one woman for more than a quick lay? Now that was the riskiest thought of all.

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