Page 14 of Ruthless Guardian

“And put some clothes on,signorina. You have company.”

Taunting me, she sashays toward the guy and hooks an arm around his shoulder. “This isn’tcompany. This is my cousin Matteo Rossi. If I don’t fire you first for driving me crazy, you should probably memorize his face. He’s going to be over here a lot.”

“You might as well send him pics of the whole dysfunctional family.” The young Rossi lifts his broad shoulders.

I’m no fool, I know exactly who he is. Before securing the interview, I’d done my research on the entire Valentino-Rossi clan. It doesn’t mean I’ll allow a guy with a gun near my principal, no matter whose blood flows through his veins.

“He may not be here long enough.”

I snort on a laugh. “Your father has already congratulated me on my tireless efforts. I doubt he’s too eager to see me go.”

“Of course he isn’t. He’d be thrilled to have me a prisoner in this penthouse just like he did my mom all those years ago.”Shaking her head, she throws her hand up. “Forget I said that. Now, can I have a moment of privacy with my cousin? Don’t you have some obnoxious list to make or something?”

I chuckle again, because the girl’s got balls. I’ll give her that. She doesn’t find me the least bit intimidating like some of my past clients. Then again, I’ve never worked for the mafia. She’s probably seen her fair share of daunting men.

“Of course.” I stuff the gun in my pocket and tick my head toward the kitchen. “You’ll get this back when you leave, Matteo, and I’ll be right over there if you need me,signorina.”

She rolls her eyes again, and my palm twitches.Dio, what I wouldn’t do to spank that perfect ass. “So kind of you to give me so much space.”

“Rule number seven: stay close to the mafia princess at all times.”

“In public or unfamiliar settings,” she barks back, and I’m impressed she’s taken the time to read over my protocols.

“Especiallyin public or unfamiliar settings,” I counter. “That does not exclude familiar settings.”

“You’re completelypazzo.” She’s not wrong. You do have to be a little insane to be effective in this sort of position.

“And that’s exactly why I’m so damned good.”

Isabella spins on her heel, toting her cousin with her for the ride. My gaze trails her retreating form, the slender yet proud set of her shoulders, the slim waist and those curvy hips. That indecent bikini is going to send me to an early grave with a devastating case of blue balls.

Get her out of your head,coglione. Not only is she your client and the daughter of a notorious mob boss who’d rip your cock off if you laid a finger on her, but she’s also nearly ten years younger than you. She’s a baby, and you have no right corrupting her.

Dio, but she’d taste so sweet.

From across the great room, I keep my eyes pinned to her, on the animated movement of her hands as she tells a story, on the way the corners of her mouth hitch at her cousin’s jokes, in the insatiable spark of life in those darting eyes. Because it’s my job to watch her.Liar.

As she chatters happily with her cousin, those sky-blue spheres occasionally flicker in my direction. Each time our eyes meet, that smile flips into a frown. Good. It's better if she dislikes me, sees me as too rigid, and resents my strict rules. In the end, it will simplify things for both of us.

CHAPTER 8

THE PERFECT CANDIDATE

Isabella

“I have to go, you insufferable man,” I growl. “I need to pick up my final transcripts from the registrar’s office at NYU.” I’m about a second away from stomping my foot like a child with a tantrum. Not even a week with my new guard, and I’m ready to throw him off the balcony.

Worse, Serena is leaving in three days, and I haven’t seen her once since Raffaele started working for me. I concocted this idea of meeting up on campus with her. She’s throwing herself a massive going away party tomorrow night, and I’d hoped if my insane bodyguard met her today, he’d warm up to the idea.

Because I’m going with or without him. I don’t care if I have to sneak out of the penthouse alone. I won’t miss my cousin’s big bon voyage party that I should have been the one to host.

He glares down at me, his arms pinned to the tight black tee stretched across his massive chest. “I don’t understand why they simply cannot email the paperwork to you?”

“It needs to be an official copy,” I hiss. Sounds legit, right?

At this rate, I may just request to start medical school in the summer if only to escape Raf’s overbearing clutches.

Soft footsteps round the corner, and Mom creeps into the kitchen, a lopsided smile already tilting the corners of her lips. She’s been enjoying my torture way too much. “I think it would be a good idea for Isabella to get out of the penthouse for a few hours.” She pretends to arrange the crystal vase filled with cala lilies as she watches us.

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