Page 17 of You Know I Love You

"Can I steal her for a minute? We can get a drink." I glance over to the bar a couple of my men are leaning up against, talking together.

"You want to go, Princess?"

"Yeah." She nods her head. I lean down and claim her mouth before I release my hold on her, and Mila pulls her away. I walk over and drop down into the seat next to Anton.

"You got everything in order?"

"I do." He shakes his head. "You know what you're doing?"

"I have to do something." I lean back and kick my legs out, watching Willa as Mila makes them a drink.

"I had to talk her into it." Anton flicks a glance over to his wife. "But she came around."

"You think I don't remember how you were when you met Mila?" I toss back at him.

"Yeah, and you fucking thought I'd lost my damn mind." I had. Anton was a lot like me.

We kept ourselves focused on our work. We never let pussy control us. I could see how easily men could flip their whole world apart over it. Destroy their families and livelihoods.

I’d watched that shit as a kid. I guess you have to find the one worth it all. That’s what Willa is. There are no games with her. She isn’t trying to seduce me or after what I have. It’s me that’s trying to get my hooks into her.

“Hey.” I nod to two men in suits headed toward the bar, having gotten up from one of the poker tables.

“The Yarros cousins.”

“Not a fuckin’ clue.”

“They’re from the West Coast. Kincaid vouched for them.” They appear to be in their mid-twenties. I can tell from their movements they have already had more than a few drinks.

The two of them pass by my men leaning up against the bar. One of them, Nero, stops them. I’m not close enough to hear what he says, but the Yarros’ eyes flick over to Willa and Mila, and I know what he said. They nod and slide up to the bar.

Willa is sipping the martini Mila made for her as Mila asks the cousins if they want a drink. She doesn’t have to get them shit, but she’s being nice. I motion to one of my guys leaning up against the far wall watching over the poker tables to get over to the bar.

“I want her to make it,” one of them slurs and motions to Mila. The other one has his eyes on Willa, who is off in her own world, swaying her hips and staring down at her phone.

“Shit,” Anton mutters under his breath. I’m already on my feet. They’d gotten the one warning already. I see Nero about tograb the man's shoulder, but he sees me coming, and I shake my head no. Nero steps back.

“Is there a problem?” Willa lifts her head at the sound of my voice. Her eyes come straight to me, and a smile pulls at her lips. Too damn sweet. The way her face lights up by just looking at me. That shit is pure. I don’t deserve it, but I’m sure as shit gonna bask in it.

“Just talking to some pretty girls.”

“No, you’re not.” I step in front of them, blocking Willa from their view at the other end of the bar.

“We know, man. Don’t mess with that one,” the one who was staring down my girl says. “I want Miss Pretend I’m a Virgin.” He motions toward the end of the bar.

“I’m not pretending,” I hear Willa say from behind me, and I know the cocktail Mila made her must be hitting her. Mila bursts into laughter.

That’s all I need to hear before my fist connects with his jaw and he crumples to the floor. “What the fuck?” The other stumbles back.

“Pick him up and get both of their asses out of here.” I’m done with them. Nero grabs the one off the floor while two others go for the other, dragging both of them outside.

When I turn around, Willa is right there. “You hit him.” She takes my hand, inspecting it.

“It’s fine, Princess.” She kisses my knuckles.

“He told everyone I was a virgin.” Willa thinks she’s whispering. “I bet you could fix that for me.” She presses her body into mine. I kiss her; my hands go to her ass, lifting her up to sit on top of the bar. For once, she’s eye level with me.

“You give the best kisses.”

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