Page 11 of Sweet Deception

Gio whistles while I tilt my head, observing Rafael. That sounded an awful lot like respect. He has a love-hate relationship with women, and he's justified. It's the first time he's talked about a woman with admiration.

Tension fills my frame as I focus more intently on him. I love him like a brother, but I won't step aside for him. Angel is mine, and I'm not giving her up.

Rafael shifts his attention back to me and recognizes my tension. He straightens and holds his palm out. "Luca, I'm not interested in her. Relax. I know she's yours. It's only that I respect what she's doing for her family, that's all. She's different, and I get why she caught your attention, but it doesn't mean I want her for myself. You know I'm never going down the marriage road—fuck, man! What the hell?" Rafael yells when Gio spits his drink all over him.

I chuckle, the tension leaving my shoulders. Rafael curses as he jumps to grab the rag off my desk to wipe the scotch off the side of his face.

Horror clearly written on his face, Gio sputters. "You're going to marry her?"

"Fuck no. I'm making her my sugar baby. What the fuck?" I scowl at Gio as if he's lost his mind.

"Don't look at me, man. He said it." Gio points at Rafael.

I shake my head at this ridiculous conversation.

Rafael eyes me as he moves back to the couch. "You can't deny she's wife material, Luca." He retakes his seat, minus the drink this time.

"No. I don't deny it." I lift my hand at Gio, who's about to have another fit. "It doesn't mean she'smywife material. I'll help her through the money crisis with her parents, and when I'm ready to move on, she'll be financially set to search for her future husband."

Instant anger blooms at the thought of another man touching her, but I don't give any credit to it. I'm a possessive fucker, so I won't want anyone near her while she's mine, but I'm confident I'll get her out of my system.

Granted, I've never felt such a powerful attraction to any other woman, but I've also never made a woman mine before. My past only consisted of one-night stands. Hell, not even a night—at most a few hours. Having a woman in my life meant an entanglement I wasn't ready for, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. Women always want more than I'm willing to give.

After a month or two, I figure I'll be ready to set her free. She'll be my most expensive fling, but something tells me she'll be worth it.

Rafael leans his head to the side, looking at Gio. "Bet you a grand he marries her."

Gio hoots, and he's lucky I don't have the drink in my hand, or I would've thrown it at both their heads. Instead, I scowl at Rafael. "Fucker. I'm not marrying her. How many times do I have to say that shit?"

Rafael gives me a side glance before returning his gaze back to Gio. "Make that two grand."

"Jesus." I run my hand down my face before turning my attention to Kylie's folder and dismissing the assholes, but Gio's laugh cutting off catches my attention again.

Gio's eyebrows are raised at Rafael. "You aren't joking."

Turning to Rafael, my mood sours. He isn't joking. Gio gets over his surprise and grins as he shakes Rafael's hand, sealing the bet.

"That'll be the easiest two grand I've ever made," Gio says.

At least someone's brain is working.

Rafael glances at me and smirks.

The fucker thinks he's right.

"Get the fuck outta here—both of you," I turn back to the folder as they move to leave. But as much as I don't want to do this, I can't let Rafael walk out just yet.

"Rafael?" I meet his gaze as he stops at the door. Gio pauses in front of him—the nosy fucker. "Dive deeper. I want the names of anyone close in her life. Anyone giving her any trouble or any of those college guys hanging around her."

Rafael's lips tip up as he turns to Gio. "I should've bet five grand."

Gio's boisterous laughter trails off as they leave.

"Fuck me." I rub my eyes before focusing back on the file.

Chapter six

Kylie

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