Page 19 of Elusive Enforcer

“No, of course not. He just said you would be on your way from one of our safe houses soon.”

“So why is Jagger up your ass about it? The Boss knows where I’m at, you can now confirm you’ve seen me in person atthe safe house, and that’s that. I’ll bring the file to the compound when the coast is clear.”

“Okay, okay, I got it,” Marco says, finally backing down. He knows something is going on, but not enough to call me out on it. We both have our suspicions, along with Aurelio, about a traitor in the family. I respect that he’s sizing me up, but I don’t need this shit right now. I need him to trust me.

I stand up from the uncomfortable lawn chair that was left on the back deck, and Marco does the same. He reaches out to shake my hand, and at the same time, the back door opens.

“There you are… oh!” Florence exclaims when she sees Marco.

My woman is still in the shirt I had on last night… and nothing else. Her legs are fully on display for anyone to see, and while I know Marco is the only other person around here for miles, a possessive rage races to the surface.

“Don’t look at her,” I snarl at Marco. His eyes are nearly falling out of their sockets and I barely restrain myself from breaking his goddamn nose.

“Holy shit,” he stammers, blinking a few times before averting his gaze. “I didn’t know… Jesus, Lorenzo, please tell me this isn’t what it looks like.”

“Sorry, I didn’t know we had company,” Florence says, immediately scampering back inside.

“She’s mine,” I growl, getting in Marco’s face. I don’t give a fuck about anything else except laying claim to my woman.

“Yeah, I got that,” he replies, taking a step back. “I’m not looking for a woman or a relationship or a fuck buddy, so there’s no need to mark your territory.”

“She’s not a fuck buddy,” I grit out, offended that anyone would think of my Florence as less than the goddess she is.

"Noted." We stare at each other for a few drawn-out seconds, and then Marco nods. "The documents," he finally says. "Getthem to the compound sooner rather than later. Then you can continue with…" He trails off, tipping his chin toward the small bungalow.

I know he wants to say more, but I’m thankful he’s not pressing me for information. He’s giving me the chance to earn his trust, and right now, I understand the importance of that more than ever.

We say our goodbyes and I watch him get into his car and drive away, a cloud of dust and sand following behind him. I only step inside when he’s completely out of sight.

“I didn’t know anyone was here,” Florence says as soon as I enter the living area.

“And that makes it okay to go outside, showing off what’s mine?” I ask, prowling toward her.

She puts her hands on her hips and narrows those emerald eyes at me. “Excuse me, sir. I won’t let any man tell me where I can and can’t go.”

The corner of her lip curls up into a deviant smirk, making her green eyes flash in challenge. She loves pushing my buttons. And I loveher.

I don’t fully have time to process that last thought, but it can wait. Right now, my woman needs me as much as I need her. I have a feeling I’ll always be this ravenous for her.

“You can go anywhere you want, beautiful,” I tell her, circling around my prey. She looks at me over her shoulder, lust shining in her gaze. “But you have to at least wear panties when meeting my colleagues.”

I circle an arm around her hips with every intention of kissing her breathless, but the little siren spins out of my embrace, giggling as she gives chase.

“I have a dress code now?”

“You do if you don’t want me to snatch the eyeballs from every single person who looks at you,” I reply, catching up tomy woman in two strides. She lingers in the kitchen, shifting her weight from one foot to the other.

“So you’re planning on keeping me around?” she asks. Florence is trying to be playful, but I see the doubt beneath her words. I’ve already given her a reason to doubt me, but I’m trying with every goddamn thing in me to make it up to her.

“As long as you’ll have me,” I tell her truthfully.

“And even then, I can expect you to stalk me until the day I die?” Her lips pull into a playful smile, but I growl at the thought of her leaving this earth.

“You’re not dying. Ever. Not on my watch.” We’re only a few inches apart, and I reach out to touch her, needing her warmth to rid the thought of death from my mind.

Florence tries to get away from me again, but I catch her by her waist and haul her into me for a devastating kiss. She moans as I slip my tongue into her mouth and consume every inch of her. My hands slide down her thick curves and grip the hem of the shirt she’s wearing, slowly inching it up.

We break the kiss only long enough for me to take the piece of clothing off completely and toss it to the side. Florence jumps up into my arms and hooks her ankles together behind my back. I growl and kiss down her neck as she arches her back and presses her body into mine.

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