Page 40 of Guarded

He doesn’t want to go there tonight.

“What the fuck did you just call her? She’s not some bitch Jasper. She’s my fucking Client. She is Aurelio Reyes’s daughter! Do you want to start that war, too?!”

“Who are you trying to convince of that? Me or you?”

I let him get the last word, but I can’t concentrate on much after that.

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The ride home was silent, with Ari passed out in the back seat. For a moment, that guilt returned. The memories of the day I was forced to play a part in Leatherface’s game. Her crying still shatters my heart, and after her confession about being kidnapped as a young girl, I felt worse.

I couldn’t offer her anything past a trauma bond, but at the same time, I wasn’t willing to just let her go. Not after discovering that her future husband was caught up in something with the Italians. Something that could potentially put her in danger.

I tuck Ariella into bed and run my hand through her hair again. She had blacked out at some point after the fortieth time of telling me to go to hell and calling me a dictator.

Thankfully, Ofelia had wiped most of the dirt off Ari. I thought about putting her in the shower and dressing her in something more comfortable, but that would unlock another world of problems. Considering my dick only responded toimages of her. Even now, it wanted to break through the confines of my jeans.

I fucked up taking her to the club. I should have stuck to the original plan. To drop her off and go back alone. The excitement in her eyes when she asked to go was too intoxicating. She was a switch I had to keep shutting off. I had to keep reminding myself that she was not someone I could risk my desires with.

It had become very clear to me tonight just how much she influenced the beast inside me. She was tugging on its collar tonight. That fucking look in her eyes before she kissed Chunks.

She knew exactly what she was doing to me. I watch her for a minute longer before I dig in her purse to find my keys. I recognize the small notebook that she’s always writing in, and I put it back. I don’t want to disrespect her privacy.

You didn’t believe that, did you?

The part about disrespecting her privacy?

All I can think about is the ways I want to disrespect this woman. With my mouth, with my cock, with her ass in the air while she screams my name.

I take out the notebook and roam through the lists. Nothing great. Grocery lists, Christmas gift ideas, a ton of work-related shit, and then I find a bucket list.

I read over the list—my dick hardening when I get to the bottom. Ariella Reyes was not only a virgin, but she had never even played with a vibrator. My dick twitches in response. I look back down to the last task on her list. A pink line runs through the words.Fall in love.

Who the hell had she fallen in love with? This was a brand-new notebook. I know. I was with her in the store the day she bought this fucking notebook. I know because I told her she had more journals than nuns had Bibles. She rolled her eyes and bought it anyway.

I hear Axel coming through the front door, arguing with someone in the living room. Ari stirs in her sleep. I stand still and take quiet steps until I reach her bedside. Her face scrunches up, and she lets out a small groan. Guapo is up immediately assessing her.

“Nero,” she groans.

Axel doesn’t expect me to be here. I had lied to Ariella about him sending me to the Salon with her today. He had told me to take the day off. I was still actively stalking her phone.For protective measures, of course.When I saw a message from Sergio, I showed up and took her to her appointment to make sure Sergio wasn’t some lover of hers.Again, for protective measures.

I listen and wait for the outside commotion to cease before I move back to the bed. I run my hand through her soft silk hair again and pet Guapo, too, so the bastard doesn’t try and start barking. She whimpers again, and it’s at that moment that I don’t care if she’s fallen in love. I don’t care if she was destined to be married. She was my doll. Mine to play with, and I was not the sharing type.

Chapter 12

Ariella

I’m bored.

I’m also feeling embarrassed, shallow, and lonesome.

The ongoing list in my brain continues. I feel like an asshole for thinking these things while at such an important family event.

People from all over the world and every walk of life have shown up to celebrate another year of the Infamous Vicente Consuelo. The Elites of Houston mixed with Drug Lords disguised as businessmen spread across the rows of tables.

I should feel honored to be here. I love my Abuelo. Even now, I feel immense gratitude as I look at him at the front of the dance hall. He built this legacy for us.

I watch as he smiles at his four children surrounding him. My heart swells at the empty chair beside him, which holds a bouquet of roses he reserves for my Abuelita. Even in her absence, she owns every part of his heart.

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