Page 101 of The Enforcer

“I don’t know, but I will find out.”

“Then allow me to help you.”

“Why would you do that?”

I hesitated before answering. “Because you deserve to learn the truth.”

“Not at the risk of allowing you to get hurt.”

Nodding, I took a step away. “Maybe you need to trust my instincts. I can handle my father. I’m sorry I tried to leave. It was on impulse. I don’t know what I was thinking and I’m not usually one to find myself amidst bouts of confusion. But everything about you. This. Us. I’m not acting or reacting like I normally would. Maybe we can return to New York together.”

“It’s not safe for you to leave at this point. Maybe for neither one of us. At least not until I can get a handle on what we’re dealing with as a family. You’re included in that family. It’s entirely possible another crime syndicate is involved and one we hadn’t originally suspected. The Armenian is a brutal leader with a reputation for being unkind to women. I think you can infer what I’m saying.”

“Yes.” I wasn’t afraid and that seemed odd to me. “How could my father be involved?”

“There are both strong Italian and Armenian contingencies inside New York. Some Italians are still friendly with the old country while the Armenian group in Europe had always desired to enter the Big Apple. Either one could create serious issues for the club as well as our trade industry. Before you allow that big brain of yours to fall into another dark place, we ventured out into precious gems almost a decade ago. Namely diamonds.”

“And New York is the diamond trade capital of the world.”

He grinned. “You’re correct. Given your father’s influence, I can’t have you attempting to escape. I don’t need the worry or to expend the manpower. You need to know, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. But you need to work with me.”

“I will and I’m happy to do so as long as you don’t hurt my family.”

“I have no intentions of doing so. Your father didn’t place a hit on me. I feel certain of that.”

“Then we develop a plan. Together.”

He tilted his head back, studying my eyes. “Does that mean I can count on you to obey the rules?”

My laugh was full of anxiety. “Yes. You can.”

“Mmm… Why don’t I believe you?”

“I don’t know. Why don’t you?”

The spark in his eyes had returned as he rubbed his hand down my arm. “I want you very clear about this. I care about you, Valencia. More than I have for anyone in my life. Please knowI don’t take you or your goals in life for granted. You’re very special to me and no matter what you think about my methods of doing business, I have no intention of putting an end to your profession or life goals.”

“You’re special to me. I’ve done everything in my power to convince myself otherwise, but you keep crowding my mind. And my heart. That scares me.” I felt the rush of emotions I’d been trying to avoid. He’d awakened so many feelings, the darkness I’d craved as well as closeness to a man. No, he wasn’t just any man, but I don’t know what I had been thinking by running. Obviously, I hadn’t been, at least clearly anyway.

“I’m glad to hear you say that. Which is why I need to provide a reminder to you that you are in my house and are required to follow my rules.”

“I’ll make you a promise that I’ll try.”

“Not good enough.”

“Meaning what?”

“Meaning, I’m going to punish you.”

I took a step away and shook my head.

He beckoned me with a single finger.

I took another step away.

Sighing, he planted his hand on his hip. “There is no way I’m going to allow you to go unpunished. You need to respect my decisions. It’s the only way I can adequately protect you.”

My God, the man was unbuckling his belt. “Wait a minute. I’m an adult.”

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