Page 1 of Dangerous Proposal

Chapter One

RED

“She knows we’re coming, right?” my driver asks as he parks in front of one of the many restaurants we own on this side of town.

“Of course. Brandy asked me to come today,” I scoff as I let myself out of the car.

As the new president of our organization, checking in on Brandy is now one of my duties. Seeing as our previous president is locked away for the rest of his life, I took it upon myself to make sure his wife is taken care of. They were high school sweethearts after all, and I know she’s been distraught and stressed since being on her own. I’m not great at emotions, but the least I can do is make sure she knows I’m here for her. The whole organization is.

I hear Brandy’s voice from the kitchen when I enter the Italian restaurant.

“Be out in a minute!” she calls.

It’s odd for her to be in the back. This place is empty normally, only kept afloat by the fact that we use it to wash our money.

I spot the reason for her absence in the corner booth closest to the counter. There’s a young woman seated there flipping through a book, her shoulder-length brown hair tucked behind one ear, a strand falling into her eyes. I’m stuck in place, stunned by how fucking gorgeous she is.

My cock stirs in my pants when her pink tongue pokes out from between her plump lips, a show of herintense concentration. She’s absolutely stunning. She’s entirely engrossed in her book, so focused that she doesn’t realize a complete stranger is hypnotized by her.

“Sorry, Red,” Brandy says as she walks out of the kitchen with a plate of alfredo. She sets it in front of the young woman before crossing the dining room to kiss me on both cheeks. “How was the drive?”

“Fine,” I confirm, nodding toward the office so I can leave her with the cash. “Let’s get this done, yeah?”

“There’s no need to rush out of here,” she insists like she does every time that I make this run. “But I guess work keeps you busy.”

“It does,” I say, digging the envelope out of my pocket and handing it discretely to her. “Seems like a…busy night?”

Brandy follows my gaze to the corner booth where the woman is now holding her book in one hand and a fork heavy with alfredo in the other.

“Oh, Evie?” Brandy asks, sitting down at the desk to start counting. “She comes in a few times a week. College girl. She’d be living on bodega food if it weren’t for me,” she says with a wink.

I hum and cross my arms. “I might go introduce myself,” I say, which warrants a warning glare from Brandy. I shrug. “Might as well thank her for keeping you company when I’m not around.”

“Don’t scare her, Red,” she says, eyes back on the cash. “She’s a sweet girl.”

“I’ll be on my best behavior,” I mutter as I leave the office. It’s not exactly the truth, but Brandy doesn’t need to know that.

I approach the table and pull out the chair across from her—Evie. Her chewing slows as she gives me a questioning eyebrow raise. Now that I’m closer, I can admire her honey brown eyes which flash with timidity and curiosity as I settle in at the table.

Slowly, she puts down her fork. I drop my gaze quickly to her mouth before committing the color of her eyes to memory, and right then I decide she’s never fixing that seductive scrutiny on another man ever again.

“Hi, Evie. I’m Red,” I say, leaning forward and resting my weight on my forearms. “Enjoying your meal?”

She gives me a quick once over. “Yes,” she says carefully. “How do you know my name?”

“Gotta keep tabs on who’s coming through my territory,” I explain, smirking at the blush creeping up her neck.

God, she’s so cute. A little treasure I could put in my pocket and protect forever.

“Your territory?” she asks.

“Yes,” I reply, leaning back. “Me and my guys, we watch over this side of town. Didn’t you know?”

“How would I possibly know that? And what, you keep everyone safe like some superhero?” she asks sarcastically as she takes a bite of her food. There’s an air of smugness in her tone. Apparently she doesn’t believe me.

She’s a sparky little thing, the kind of woman who will no doubt give me a run for my money. My heart quickens at her tone, something within me wanting to come out and play.

“Not necessarily,” I drawl, a smirk still plastered on my face. “But I protect the people I care about.”

---