Page 59 of Sexting the Don

I give her a small smile. “Yeah, but still. I get it.”

We start to dress, and I can’t help but watch her out of the corner of my eye. There’s something about the way she dresses that’s almost as sexy as watching her undress. She picks up her black gym shorts, sliding them up her long, toned legs. The fabric clings to her skin, highlighting the curve of her hips and the firmness of her thighs. She pulls them into place, the waistband snapping against her flat stomach.

She turns to me, catching my eye and giving me a small, knowing smile. There’s a playful glint there despite the tension that still hangs between us.

“Ready?” she asks, her voice somber.

“Yeah,” I reply, quickly pulling on my own clothes.

At the door, she hesitates, her hand resting on the doorknob. Our farewell is strained, the air thick with everything we’re not saying. I take a deep breath, trying to stay cool and calm.

“Stay safe. Call me if you need anything, OK?”

She nods, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. “I will. I promise.”

We stand there for a moment, neither of us moving. The urge to kiss her goodbye is strong, but I hold back. There’s too much still unsaid, too much uncertainty. Instead, I reach out and give her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Take care,” I say softly, letting go and stepping back.

“You too,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper.

With one last look, I turn and walk away, the door closing softly behind me.

There’s an unease gnawing at the back of my mind, a sense that something is off. As I walk to my car, my instincts are on high alert. I catch a glimpse of a familiar figure turning the corner, briefly illuminated by a streetlight, his features hidden in the shadows.

I stop in my tracks, my heart rate spiking. Rather than climb into my car, I decide to follow, my pace quickening. There’s a nagging suspicion tapping at me that I can’t shake. I reach the corner and see the man a block away, his back to me. His gait is familiar, too familiar.

I don’t rush after him. Instead, I maintain a steady pace, keeping my distance but not losing sight of him. The street is quiet, the occasional car passing by the only sound breaking the silence. The man walks with purpose, not looking back, but something about his movements tells me he’s aware he’s being followed.

We move through the neighborhood, the buildings casting long shadows that play tricks on my eyes. I focus on the man’s silhouette, my mind racing to remember where I’ve seen that gait before. He turns another corner, and I quicken my pace, not wanting to lose him.

As I round the corner, I spot him farther down the block. He’s moving faster now, and so am I. There’s an urgency in the way he walks, as if he’s trying to get away without drawing too much attention. I’m determined to find out who he is and what he’s doing here.

My thoughts are a whirlwind. Could it be Jimmy? Or is it someone working for him? The possibility sends a chill down my spine. I can’t afford to take any chances when it comes to Mandy’s safety. She might think she’s independent and doesn’t need my protection, but I know better. The world we’re tangled in is dangerous, and I need to be sure she’s not in danger.

The man takes another turn, heading into a dimly lit alley. I pause for a moment, considering my options. If it’s a trap, walking into that alley could be risky. But I can’t let him slip away, not when I’m this close. I decide to follow, my steps careful and silent.

I enter the alley, the darkness closing in around me. The man is at the far end, approaching an exit onto another street. I’m closer now, close enough to make out more details. His build, the way he moves, it all seems so familiar. I slow my pace, watching his every move.

I pull out my phone, a sense of urgency mounting. I dial Sean's number, and he picks up after the first ring.

"Sean, I need you to get a couple of men and bring the car over to Mandy's place. Have them sit on it until morning and keep an eye on it," I tell him.

"You got it, boss," Sean replies without hesitation. "Do you want them to follow her tomorrow as well?"

I hesitate, thinking about how Mandy reacted to the car. She's already pushing back on it, and having my men follow her might just make things worse. "No, just send the men. They’ll turn the car over to her in the morning," I decide.

"Understood. I'll take care of it," Sean assures me.

"Thanks, Sean," I say, hanging up and slipping the phone back into my pocket.

I walk back to my car and climb in, scanning the area. The man is long gone, and I might be wrong in my assumption. But my gut tells me I’m not. Jimmy is bound to make a move, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’ll involve his daughter.

I sit there for a moment, my mind racing. The weight of the situation presses down on me, and I can’t afford to make a mistake.

As I start the car and drive away, I replay the glimpse of the man in my mind. The way he moved, the sense of familiarity—it all points to Jimmy. I’ve been waiting for him to show his hand, and I worry that tonight might have been the beginning.

The drive back to my place feels longer than usual, my thoughts consumed by the potential threat. When I finally pull into the driveway, I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.

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