Page 138 of The Enforcer

“Anything my baby wants, my baby gets.”

“God. I love you. Oh, I love you.” I pulled back, planting kisses on almost every inch of his face. Meanwhile, Magnum whined as if he’d been ignored. I broke away, laughing and heading tothe open-topped vehicle, throwing my arms around my fur baby. “Thank you for the gift, baby boy, but Mommy dog will need to abscond with your credit card for a little while.”

I threw open the door, nudging my big boy to the middle of the two seats before climbing into the driver’s seat.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Christos barked in that dominating tone of his.

I pulled my sunglasses from my clutch, taking my time to slide them onto my face. “What does it look like? I’m driving. Get in.”

“Dear God, help us get there in one piece.”

“Hell hath no fury,” I told him as I started the engine. “What other surprises do you have for me?”

He jumped inside, shaking his head. “Patience. That’s the first thing we’ll work on.”

All I could do was laugh because for the first time in my life, I felt fulfilled and happy.

Love wasn’t easy nor was it blind, but in allowing myself to look past the anger and confusion, I’d witnessed the brightest light of all. And it was absolutely worth fighting for.

A love that could never be challenged, at least not if I had anything to do about it.

Christos

“You get one more surprise before tonight. You’ll get the other only if you’re a good little girl.” I was whispering in her ear, unable to stop myself from nibbling on her earlobe.

“I’ll show you good. Later.” She pushed me away playfully and I let her go, Magnum trailing dutifully behind her.

Elias moved behind me and I turned to glance in his direction. He hadn’t been his usual self since learning Luca had betrayed us. It had gone back for at least two years, but he’d been clever, hiding any evidence. We had discovered he’d hired the photographer. My guess was he’d had the photographs couriered to me as well.

What little else we’d learned was that he had a foreign bank account that had taken Havros two days to find. The money deposited had been US currency so there was also no connection to Arek and his clan in New York.

Not that it mattered any longer.

Devices had been found on every home we owned, including in Corfu. Another careful attack had been planned. If it hadn’t been for Valencia insisting that she return to my house to surprise me, things could have turned out differently.

“It’s okay, Elias. You’re welcome to the party.”

“Just for family,” he said gruffly.

“You are family, my friend.”

He walked closer and with his eyes covered by dark shades, I couldn’t tell if he was still skeptical. “I take it Dr. Laurant is staying?”

Now I was beaming. I’d been certain she would return to her life. I’d convinced myself even though I’d already purchased the Ferrari. “She is.”

“Does Magnum go everywhere?”

“Pretty much. He’s a great dog. I think we might get another one.”

“You’ve changed,” Elias teased.

Yes, I had, for the better.

“Boss, I just want to say I will never do anything to hurt either one of you and if you’ll allow me the honor, I will protect her with my life.”

“I’d appreciate that, Elias. Now, come on. No shop talk today.”

“But we still have a few assholes to round up.”

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