Page 94 of Ruthless Guardian

“What?”

“I wasn’t sent for her,” he rasps out.

“Then who were you sent to kill?”

“You.”

The blood paints the bottom of the basement sink in a bright red, the color much too vibrant for my weary eyes. I scrub my fingers mechanically, adding more soap until all the blood is off my skin. I kept my promise, making the shooter’s death a mercifully quick one despite my desire to flail his skin off inch by inch.

He may have shot at Isabella, but he’d come for me. Her life had been in danger because ofme. I drag my wet hand through my hair and huff out a breath. This is all my fucking fault. I never should have returned to Rome.

Once I’m done, I force my legs up the steps with guilt eating at my insides. The apartment is quiet upstairs, all the guests having left a long time ago. The Kings’ team took care of the body, the local Italian authorities taking care of all the grisly details. I never realized how far Luca Valentino’s powerstretched, but when everything went to hell one of his men knew exactly what to do and who to call.

ThankDioit’s the middle of the night in Manhattan, and I’ll have until tomorrow to deal with Isabella’s father’s wrath. Miraculously, I’d managed to keep the incident at RiverBar under wraps, but my luck would only go so far. Now is my chance to come clean to Luca about everything.

I reach the second-floor landing and pause at Isa’s door. I peer through the opening and find her curled up beside Serena. I stand at the entryway, just watching her for an endless moment. After the hellish night, I just need to know she’s okay.

Her eyes pop open, and a relieved smile creeps across her face. I texted her the moment we found the guy, knowing she would be worried. I’d insisted she go to sleep because I didn’t want her waiting up for me. I had no idea how long it would take to crack the guy. Lucky for me, not long.

She crawls out from under Serena’s arm and tiptoes toward me, the slight creaks of the old wooden planks ratcheting up my heartrate. Her hair is a wild mess, long, dark waves cascading down her bare shoulders. She has that sexy, sleepy look on her face, the one she wears first thing in the morning andDio, she’s gorgeous. My heart punches my ribs, the all-consuming feeling bloating my chest.Fuck. I’m in love with Isabella. Completely. Madly. Obsessively. Before she reaches the threshold, I lunge, unable to keep my hands off her.

My mouth crashes into hers as my hands curl around her hips before lifting her off her feet. Her legs wrap around my torso, arms lacing around my neck. A faint moan swirls between us as she kisses me with the same fire consuming my insides.

“I’m so glad you’re okay,” she whispers against my lips. “I was so worried…”

“Mmhmm, me too.” It’s all I can muster as our tongues tangle in a sweltering dance. Palming her ass to keep her pressedtightly against me, I walk us to my bedroom, locking the door behind us. This. This is why she needs a new bodyguard. Instead of spending the night tangled in her arms, I should be on duty.

Instead, I’ve relegated the job to Enzo and Alberto. They’re good, but they’re nowhere near as good as me. Still, I can’t keep from kissing her, from touching her. With the fear of losing her so real, I can’t not indulge in this one moment.

Then, I’ll resume my duty.

“I need you, Raf,” she murmurs as I lay her on the bed. “I was so scared?—”

“Nothing’s going to happen to me,principessa. I’m right here, with you.” I crawl over her, bracing my elbows on either side of her shoulders and trapping her against the mattress. “I’ll always keep you safe.”

Her eyes meet mine, the blue practically glowing beneath the moonlight streaking in through the window shade. “Promise me. Promise you’ll always be with me.”

I swallow hard. “In any way I can.” I don’t want to lie to her, but I cannot keep this up. I can’t be her bodyguard and whatever this is between us. It’s not safe for her, not good for either of us.

“I just want to forget about tonight, Raf.” She snags her bottom lip between her teeth. “Can you make me forget, please?”

The soft plea tears at my restraint, breaking down the walls I’ve fought so hard to build between us.Dio, I’m in love with her. I would do anything for her. But could I let her go, if it meant her safety?

Her hands find the zipper of my fly and before I can utter a sound, she’s freed my cock. Of course I’m hard and ready for her. So I bury the unspeakable thoughts to the back of my mind, to deal with another day. Right now, myprincipessaneeds to forget, and there’s nothing I want more than to give her what she wants.

So when she slips her panties down her smooth legs and parts her thighs, I sink my cock into her, slowly, leisurely, enjoying every second as she tightens around me. Because with Isabella I’ve found my home, and it’s not something I’m ready to give up. Maybe not ever.

CHAPTER 46

MY FIRST CLIENT

Isabella

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, at the puffy skin beneath my eyes, the frown tipping the corners of my lips, and the austere black dress I’ve selected for the memorial service. I may not have known Massimo’s assistant, Carlo, well, but he was still a person, one that is now dead because of me.

Dio, I wish Serena could have stayed a little longer. Surely, she would have been able to talk me out of this guilt spiral.

Why did I think running away to Rome would magically erase all the problems that came with the title of mafia princess? I’d been stupid and so damned naïve. There is no escaping my destiny. Why am I even bothering with this medical degree?

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