Page 12 of Risky Vows

"Yes. She's been the lady of the house for a while."And she'll still be, even with you here, I refrain from adding. Although I don't get domestic diva vibes from Amara, I hope she can gel with Colleen's quirks.

She grabs a linen napkin and places it on her lap. "Oh, I don't doubt it. Are you going to work?"

"Soon. What are your plans for today?" I ask, wanting to deflect from her question. Then my phone buzzes, and I scoop it from the table.

The driver has been found, but he's not willing to talk.

A message from Dante. We've been trying to track down a disgruntled driver who worked for us before. He was seen talking to the Santinis, and we need to know if he gave them any confidential information before we end his life.

I type.Where is he?

Nebraska.

Oh great. One day into my marriage, and I already have a work trip. But I can't let Dante or anyone else handle it when I was the one who fired the bastard in the first place. I need to see it through like I do all my affairs.

"Something came up, and I'll be out of town for the next few days. Anthony is available to take you anywhere. He'll also be your bodyguard. When you go to busier events without me, someone else will join him."

"I don't need a babysitter."

Hasn't she had her own security? I understand her family was cutting corners, but I've been to her home and seen men guarding the place—just like the team I have, securing my perimeters at all times. Cameras, the works. "Anthony has been working for my family for years. He's trustworthy."

She picks a piece of bread from the basket and breaks it in half. "I didn't ask for his resume. I'm able to drive and don't want to be tracked."

An impossible demand. Even for me. I have a collection of sports cars I enjoy driving, but in my daily life? I'm chauffeured all the way—faster to get things done, plus added security. My driver and assistant, Tom, has worked for the family for ten years and is skilled in four martial arts. "Why? Worried Anthony will see the skeletons in your closet?"

"Killing is your specialty, not mine," she says, then tilts her head to the side.

"I'm a businessman, not a hitman."

She lifts her chin, her gaze fiery. "I know exactly what you are."

I rock back in my chair, unfazed. "I doubt it. If you did, you wouldn't talk like this."

She takes a deep breath, maybe reassessing her attitude, then looks at me again, a vulnerability crossing her expression. "I don't want a bodyguard."

"That's non-negotiable. It's for your safety." I'm not running short on enemies, a common occurrence in the trade. The fact that the Santinis were hounding my employee shows they were lurking, waiting for the right time to attack.

"If he lays one finger on me…." She trails off, her voice wavering for a moment as she glances down at her lap.

I frown. Isn't she listening? The bodyguard is supposed to protect her from danger, not to cause it. She should know, coming from her family. But maybe she's unsure because it's a new environment, and she doesn't know what kind of people work for me. "If he lays one finger on you, I'll break it myself. Then I'll cut it off and stuff it in his mouth."

She parts her lips, but words don't come out. I see the small bob making its way down her throat. I got her attention. Good. "I'll remember that."

9

Amara

If he lays one finger on you…

The way Massimo said that, with such fire in his eyes, still haunts my memory.

Two days ago, he left his home, our home. I should be thankful we opted out of a traditional honeymoon. If he had swept me over to some paradise island and fucked me all day, I'm not sure I could keep up.

Even now, as I walk, there's an awareness between my legs, a humming. An ache.

I thought he was done that night, but he woke me up, kissing my shoulders, and before I could realize it, his hands were all over me, and my pussy was soaking wet.

He railed me, deep and hard.

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