Page 9 of The Marriage Auction 2: Part 3

“Great,” Maia mumbled. “Somehow I’ve gotten myself connected to not only the mafia, but some bigger criminal? Jesus. Whose Cheerios did I piss in to earn this kind of retribution? I’ve been racking my brain. The only people that hate me are technically related to me and live nowhere near Nevada.”

I sat down in the kitchen chair next to her and reached for her hand. “I’m sorry, darling. I fear this situation somehow has more to do with your connection to me than anything you may have done.”

Christophe placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Between the new security guards, the motorcycle club, and Diego’s men, you’re both covered. We haven’t received any additional threats at this time. I think we’re safe here in France, far away from Las Vegas.”

I nodded and sighed. “I agree. Diego will update us in a couple days. For now, we live life as usual but stay vigilant.”

“Maia, do you want to go get showered and changed or stay here?” Rhodes asked. “You’ve had a lot to deal with. You don’t have to go out. Emily is going to be down soon, and if I know my girl, she’s going to have ants in her pants about finally getting to go shopping.”

Maia smiled gently. “I’m good to go, but thank you for asking. I’ll be ready in fifteen.” She got up and walked out of the room.

Rhodes watched her go, his eyes shimmering with affection and maybe the slightest hint of desire. I smirked and stared at him until he finally looked at me. His cheeks instantly turned pink as I caught him checking out his fiancée.

“She’s amazing.” He shook his head, clearly frustrated. “The woman gets burglarized, threatened, has to get on a plane and fly to France where she has a terrible flashback of her past, finds out a stranger is after her, one that is so terrifying even Diego Salazar won’t share what he knows…and now, she’s putting on a brave face in order to go shopping with my daughter.”

He let out a long, deep sigh as he ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t deserve someone like her. I should help her and her family and set her free, but damned if I’m going to do the right thing. I want that womandesperately. I want to heal her wounds and soothe her soul. I want to hold her so close no one can ever harm her again. What the hell is wrong with me?” He squeezed his eyes shut and breathed through his nose, nostrils flaring. “I can’t stand that she has to live her life in fear. She’s had enough of that to fill an Olympic sized pool.”

“Then it’s up to you to make sure she feels protected and safe,chéri. I can see how much she already looks to you for comfort and support. Keep giving it to her until she knows you’re not going to ever stop giving it to her.”

“She’s scared stiff, Alana. Possibly in ways I’ll never be able to understand. Her past…” He swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he looked down and away. “She’s had it rough.”

“And you’re going to show her a new life. One with joy, safety, trust, and most of all love.”

His gaze snapped to meet mine. “I never said I loved her.”

My lips twisted as I tried to hold back my laughter. Christo, on the other hand, had no such luck. He laughed heartily as he walked over to the coffee pot and poured himself another cup.

“Darling Rhodes, you don’t have to say it. Your feelings for the young woman are written across every worry line on your face.” I smiled.

“Alana, don’t put ideas in her head or mine. I feel a great deal for Maia, but we’re taking things slow. Getting to know one another better.”

“Have you bedded her?” I asked point blank. With others I wouldn’t be so crass, but Rhodes was like a sibling to me. One who was drowning in water that was only five feet deep. All he had to do was trust that the ground beneath his feet was there, and he’d be fine. More than fine, he’d be perfectly safe.

“Do I look like the type that kisses and tells?”

“I suggest taking her to your bed for more than just sleep. Then perhaps you won’t feel so out of sorts.”

“Ha, ha, very funny. I’m going to go get ready. I’m assuming you’ll be ready in, oh, five hours.” He gestured to my robe and pajama set and lack of makeup.

I sipped the remainder of my espresso. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be ready when the time is right,” I assured him.

“Oh yeah? And when will that be? Never!” he called out playfully over his shoulder as he left the kitchen.

“Whenever I want.” I hummed, set my dishware in the sink and started up the back stairs to the main bedroom. “You coming,mon couer,or are you staying home to paint today?”

“And miss Rhodes doting on his daughter and fiancée with you there to micromanage? Never!” he breathed, a note of amusement in his tone.

“The day will be interesting to say the least,” I agreed. However, in the back of my mind I was still thinking about what Diego said.

“You do not want to be on that man’s radar. His network extends everywhere. His reach is unparalleled. He’s extremely dangerous.”

I couldn’t help wondering how far this person’s network could possibly reach.

Was France far enough away?

Episode 62

My New Family

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