Page 87 of Raging Inferno

“I’d love to.”

She grabbed his hand and tugged him away. Presley gaped at Gia. She’d been replaced with a six-five, two-hundred-thirty-pound beefcake.

“Welcome to my world,” Dominic whispered in her ear.

“You’re going to have your hands full with her in a couple of years.”

Dominic paled. “Don’t remind me.”

Presley smiled, wanting to be with him every step of the way as Gia transitioned from girl to teenager to young woman. Would he want her by his side?

As Gia guided Kayne into the living room, Presley called out, “I’m going to shower.”

“Me too,” Dominic echoed, then yanked Presley up the steps. She tried not to giggle like Gia as they hurried to her room. When they reached her bed, he stripped her in record time. The laughter instantly fled, replaced with groans and moans. Their hands and mouths were frantic with need. Then he entered her, and she gasped at the incredible sensations.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t wait another second.”

“So good,” she managed, as he stole her breath. He didn’t let her bask in the first climax before driving her to the next one. Maybe it was facing death earlier or her decision to uproot her life for love, but this was the most explosive, overwhelming experience of her life. Multi-colored fireworks exploded, a cacophony of bells chimed, and Presley lost her mind. She wasn’t sure she could move.

They made good on their claim of bathing by showering together to conserve water. However, that backfired because they made love again under the hot spray and probably used gallons more than necessary.

After they dressed, Dominic went downstairs first, even though Kayne had already figured out their relationship. When Presley walked into the living room, Gia jumped up.

“There you are, Presley!”

Gia threw her arms around her, and Presley hugged her back. Gia handed her a bracelet.

“I made this for you.”

“Thank you, honey.” She read the letters W, W, P, and D. “What does it mean?”

“When the bad man kidnapped me, the only way I got through it was thinking, what would Presley do? You gave me strength.”

Tears flooded Presley’s eyes, and, with a sob, she scooped Gia into her arms. Gia squeaked, but she didn’t care. This girl was so precious. There was no way she could leave her.

#

Dominic watched Presley interact with his daughter and wondered if he’d made a critical mistake. It had been his idea to have Presley stay with them when she first arrived. He hadn’t anticipated Gia falling in love with her as much as he had. His daughter had gone through so much in her short life. His job was to shield her, and he’d failed. He hadn’t protected her heart.

“Hurt her, you and I will have anéchauffourée, bon ami.”

Kayne’s voice snapped Dominic from his thoughts. “What the hell are you saying?”

Kayne leaned forward. “Hurt Presley, you and I will battle, my friend.Capiche?”

“Who are you, the Godfather?” Dominic wanted to slug the man, but Kayne had been a Navy SEAL. He didn’t play fair. Dom had already seen him in action with the Vulcan death grip thing. He didn’t want to encounter that again. “Besides, I don’t plan on it. Maybe you should have this conversation with her.”

Kayne leaned back with a smug smile. “Already have.”

“She’s going to leave.”

“Don’t let her.”

Dominic narrowed his eyes. “There are nothing but terrible memories for her here. She loves her job.”

“Ask me, she loves you more.”

Dominic’s pulse triple-timed it. Could he be right? Suddenly, Dom found himself unloading everything on Kayne, telling him how Gia hated it here and how he’d thought about moving somewhere that didn’t remind her of her abusive mother.

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