Page 6 of His

“Lock this,” he instructed, pointing to the deadbolt. “And don’t open it for anyone except me.”

“Massimo, this is ridiculous. I’m not some damsel in distress,” I said, my voice racked with annoyance.

“No, you’re not, but I made your father a promise to protect you and I fully intend to keep it,” he answered.

“I don’t need you here to protect me. My father did something dumb and broke the law, and now he needs to pay for it. In the meantime, I can take care of myself. I’m eighteen. I don’t need either of you,” I countered.

Massimo’s jaw tensed as he stepped forward, his eyes darkening with something I didn’t quite understand for a moment. Then his expression softened and there was a flash of something else in his eyes that took me by surprise. Was it… desire?

No.

It couldn’t be that. That would be crazy.

But the way his eyes seemed to burn into mine sent a rush of heat between my legs. It was the first time he looked at me like I was an adult, not some little girl, and my body was responding in a way that I didn’t think was possible or even remotely appropriate.

“I don’t think you understand, Sofia,” he said quietly, his voice low and husky. “When I say that I’ll protect you, I mean it.”

“And I don’t need protection,” I retorted, despite the shiver of pleasure that ran down my spine at his words.

Massimo stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. My pulse quickened, my breath catching in my throat.

“Maybe not,” he conceded. “But I’m here anyway.”

CHAPTER 4

Massimo

Sofia was testing my patience and honestly, it was making my cock so fucking hard that it was starting to hurt.

She was a good kid, but defiant at times, and I’d always thought she was the kind of girl that would benefit from a good spanking from time to time. She didn’t understand what could be at stake right now and her rebellious defiance was simply getting in the way.

My fists tightened at my sides as I tried to ignore the urge to do that very thing right now, to grab her arm and toss her over my knee. She was wearing a skirt. It would be easy to flip it up, tear her panties off, and give her the spanking she needed right fucking now.

Fuck.

She’s your best friend’s daughter. Keep your head on straight.

I needed to protect her and the first thing I needed to do was make sure she was safe.

I ignored my hard cock, took a step back and glanced around her and her dad’s apartment. The place was neat, organized, and quintessentially middle class, filled with modern conveniences and traditional Italian touches. The living room had comfortable furniture, a few family photos, and a TV mounted on the wall. The kitchen was open and functional, with sleek countertops and ample storage. It was the kind of home that was perfect for a family, but it was a security nightmare.

I frowned, my mind racing with possibilities. I wouldn’t be able to keep her safe here. She was going to have to come with me.

There were too many windows, too many entry points, and no real security measures to speak of. Anyone determined enough could easily break in or find a way to ambush her or even kill her.

“This place is impossible to secure,” I muttered under my breath.

Sofia stood in the doorway, watching me with a mixture of defiance and curiosity. She put her hand on her hip with a huff and I couldn’t help but imagine that bare ass reddening under my palm once again.

God, she fucking needed it…

“What do you mean?” she asked, her attitude bleeding through her tone.

I turned to face her, my expression serious. “There are too many angles here, too many ways someone could get in or watch you. We need to get you somewhere safer.”

“Safer? Like where?” she snapped.

“My estate,” I said firmly. “It’s much more secure, and we can control who comes and goes. Pack your things. You’re coming with me.”

---