Page 110 of The Boss

Her scent riled every ounce of my being as I claimed her mouth. Not gently as if this was the first time, but with the darkness that had already consumed me. Her lips were soft against mine, another reminder of her innocence. I ravaged her mouth as if this would be our last kiss, a necessity before we perished. The thought was ridiculous, far too romantic for the roughness I hungered for. My tongue lashed against hers, incapable of being tender.

Yet she moaned into the moment of raw passion, the ragged sound penetrating my soul. Her body trembled in my hold, her fingers digging into my chest. The taste of her was explosive, threatening to rob me of whatever sanity I had left.

However, this was right.

This was special.

This was nothing I was supposed to feel, but everything I needed.

No one would take her away from me.

CHAPTER 28

Dimitrios

“Keep her safe, my son. She is the light that will keep you from becoming enshrouded in darkness.”

Those were the words my mother had said moments before stepping inside the church for my brother’s service. I hadn’t taken them lightly, her expression highlighting her strength.

Just like I’d witnessed in Willow.

There was something telling about karma insisting that on the day of my brother’s funeral storms would arise. They hadn’t been predicted, but here we were graveside, at least two hundred umbrellas in full view.

At least almost everyone we’d invited had been inside the church for the celebration of life. Still, it wasn’t fitting for a bold spirit such as Leandro’s. However, if I knew my brother, he’d be laughing in his grave.

The people who’d shown up were either family, close friends, or those who were hoping to glean whatever information they believed they could use against us. As expected, members of the press had arrived as well, hoping to catch the perfect photograph of a grieving family.

There were a solid two dozen people I didn’t recognize. I had a suspicion the Stalker was here to bask in derailing a family. Even if the target had been the wrong man. I didn’t buy that either.

“Everyone who holds any importance in Athens is here,” Christos said as he flanked my side.

“Yes, as anticipated.”

“What do they hope to accomplish?”

“Watching a powerful family crumble around the edges.” I scanned the perimeter as people paid their respects. While some of the Greek Orthodox traditions were being followed, my mother believing Leandro’s soul had already risen, concern over the threats had prevented the entirely traditional method. However, this moment was important to my parents. This wasn’t just about goodbyes but about a new beginning.

I found it impossible to think that way when my brother’s body was lying in a goddamn twenty-thousand-dollar casket.

“Willow is certainly handling this better than I expected.”

Christos was right. She’d been a godsend all morning to our mother, remaining by her side as she was doing right now.

“Yes, she is.” I noticed Greg remained standing near the trees where he’d been since we’d arrived. We hadn’t said but a few words since our meeting, even though my mother had insisted he stay at the house. One big happy family.

The thought brought the taste of blood to my mouth, spots of the dark color swimming in front of my eyes.

“The Armenian showed up.”

I’d already spotted Davit and his two guards. There was no reason for his presence to keep a red flag in my mind, but that was the case. His visit had seemed practiced, even forced. While his father had maintained a friendly working relationship, I knew for a fact Davit was exploring his options. That was easy to find on the internet. I’d spent some time doing research on his family.

“He’s been chatting it up with Pops.”

“I’ve noticed,” I told him. If I knew my father, he’d already laid some groundwork. I’d asked him to allow news of our engagement to slip. If the Stalker was here, the news would travel quickly.

“Do you know what I find fascinating?” I asked my brother.

“What?”

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