Page 40 of Reluctant Surrender

“Who the fuck would be messing with us like this?” I fisted my hands at my sides. I’d only been in charge of Chicago for a few months and already someone was fucking with me. It couldn’t stand.

“I want five of our men on the next delivery. Protect the driver and bring me who ever the fuck is doing this,” I demanded.

“Got it.”

“Now. I need to meet with the lawyer about the marriage license and pick up Maggie from work.” No way was I giving Tony any chances to be alone with her.

“I thought you were going over to Eclipse tonight. You haven’t been over there in over a week.”

I shook my head. “Camille has things handled. Until Maggie and I are married, I don’t want to take any chances with her out in public.”

“You could leave her at home,” Andrezj teased.

“She’s my responsibility.” I made the excuse of being protective of her, but the bottom line was I wanted to be with her. I could go to the club and have dozens of women drop themselves at my feet, but none of them had my eye.

There was only one woman I wanted kneeling for me. Maggie.

* * *

Lukas

I sentPatryk away as soon as I reached Maggie’s office building. The wind was blowing lightly, but it had a crispness to it that bit my face as I waited outside for her. I’d wanted to drive her home on my bike, having her thighs wrapped around my waist as we made our way through traffic, feeling the vibration of the bike beneath us, but it was too chilly. I wouldn’t have her getting sick just so I could take her on a joy ride.

It was ten after five when I saw her figure through the glass windows appear from the elevator. Tony, her pretty boss, stepped out with her. I jerked my car door open and climbed out. By the time I rounded the car and was on the sidewalk they breezed through the front door. The sound of Maggie’s laughter carried to me on the breeze. It was a soft sound, an authentic sound.

“Lukas.” Maggie waved to me with a smile. Tony’s grin slipped when he eyed me standing in front of my black Lexus.

I greeted her by wrapping my arm around her waist and hauling her to me for a kiss. “Have a good day?” I asked, completely ignoring Tony standing there watching our exchange.

“I did.” She turned to face Tony, but I kept my arm around her waist. “I’ll see you on Thursday.”

“Have a good night.” He acknowledged me with a curt nod. “Nice to see you again.”

“You could be a bit nicer to him, he’s my boss,” Maggie whispered to me after Tony walked away.

“For now,” I said, sliding my hand into hers. “Let’s go. We have an appointment.”

“An appointment for what?” She gave me a curious glance as she climbed into the front seat of the car. “And where’s Patryk?”

I climbed into my seat and buckled. “So many questions. Just relax.” I threw a wink her way then pulled out into traffic.

It took nearly forty minutes to crawl through rush hour traffic to get to the small boutique on Michigan Avenue. Marilyn Chrysta was an old family friend. Our mothers had been childhood friends. She only recently opened her shop in Chicago, after having successful launches in Los Angeles and New York.

“I don’t understand. Where are we going?” Maggie hurried her step to keep up with me as we made our way from the parking garage down Michigan Avenue.

When we arrived in front of the boutique, Maggie sucked in a sharp breath.

“Chrysta Boutique? Are you crazy? It takes months to get a private appointment here, and the main shop is closed.”

“You should have more faith in me by now, angel.” I pulled out my phone and fired off a quick text. A brief moment later, the lock on the door unbolted.

“What did you do?” Maggie glared at me over her shoulder. “Did you threaten them?”

I grabbed her hand and squeezed. “You really need to give me more credit.”

The door opened and Marilyn smiled at us. “Lukas! Come in, come in! Traffic was horrible, I bet. Coming all the way from the west side of town.” She waved us inside the boutique. “And this is Maggie.” She grabbed hold of Maggie’s hands. “It is so good to see Lukas finally with a woman who has taste, class, and a good head on her shoulders.”

“Thank you,” Maggie said, but she sounded less sure of herself. “It’s really nice to meet you.” Her cheeks flushed. “I’ve admired your work for a long time.”

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