Page 53 of Guarding The Phoenix: Vol. 1

“Be that as it might be, there will be no more going out like that. At least not for the time being. Our job is to keep you alive. My team and I can’t do that if you decide to ignore me and act like you don’t have a mafia boss hunting you.”

My bottom lip trembled. The fear I had tried to ignore spilled down my cheeks. “I’m sorry. Please don’t be mad at me anymore. I promise from here on out I will listen and follow orders.”

Gideon swore softly and rose. He approached me with a frown marring his forehead. He scooped me up into his arms and sat on the bed with me cradled against him.

And I knew he would protect me with his life. I knew if he had breath in his body, he wouldn’t stop fighting for me.

“Deep breaths for me, babe. And I’m not angry, I’m worried about you. I know what Santos is capable of and the thought of him harming you in any way drives me crazy. I care about you. You’re not just a job to me.”

At his admission, I lifted my head. Our gazes connected. “I care too.” But when I went to kiss him, he stopped me.

“We’re going to have to abstain for the next few days.”

“But?”

“Kylie, when I’m with you that way, when we all are, we can’t see anything but you. Santos is planning something. It’s obvious by the way he so brazenly approached you on the street this morning. Santos is watching our every move and waiting for an opportunity to attack. It’s not that I don’t want you. Christ, I want you so badly I ache with it. But for the time being, we need to be on guard.”

I pouted. I couldn’t help it. He just admitted he has feelings for me, but I couldn’t kiss him. It was so unfair. “I understand.”

He pressed a kiss against my forehead. “Good.”

And he simply held me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and snuggled with him. Who knew Mister Bad Ass himself had such a soft side? We had torn up the sheets together, but I never expected he was this sweet.

“I should probably get started on dinner.”

“You don’t have to cook for us.”

“It will give me something to do. If I just sit around with nothing to do, I’ll go crazy.” I glanced up at him and grinned. “Besides, I promised Chase coq au vin.”

“Sounds tasty.”

“One bite and you will all be my slaves.”

“Who says we’re not already?” He teased and helped me to my feet. His gaze slid down over my naked body. “Although it would be best if you put clothes on first. Otherwise, we’re going to be walking around with hard-ons all night long.”

I giggled. After the sexcapades in the SUV, they had brought me inside and deposited me into bed without dressing me. “Good call. I’ll be down in a minute.”

“I’ll wait while you dress.”

“Is it that bad that you have to be my shadow?”

“We’re taking every necessary precaution with your safety.”

Unease settled in the pit of my stomach. It must be bad if he didn’t want to leave me alone. I grabbed a change of clothes, snagging a tank top and shorts with a pair of matching bra and panties, then headed into the bathroom. I washed myself up in the bathroom sink. Tonight, I would take a shower, but for now, the whore’s bath would do.

When I was dressed, Gideon escorted me down to the kitchen. While I sliced, diced, stirred and sauteed, one of the guys was always nearby. They hung out in the living room while I was in the kitchen. It gave me a measure of freedom that they weren’t fully underfoot.

The afternoon flew by while I made dinner.

The meal was subdued that evening. A pallor of danger hung over our heads. Luka Santos was back and making dangerous advances. The specter of what his next method of attack would be weighed on our minds.

“Dinner was fantastic. The best I’ve ever had. Thanks for making it for me.” Chase pressed a kiss to my forehead after dinner. Then headed off to patrol the grounds.

Mateo murmured something about needing to check the camera feed, and Gideon left with him after thanking me for the meal. They left me alone in the kitchen with Axel while I rinsed dishes and loaded up the dishwasher.

“Are you all right?” Axel came up behind me, crowding me against the sink with his enormous body.

“Sure. I’m great. I have an evil mafia boss after me who wants to make me his prisoner, among other things that I don’t want to contemplate too closely. And he’s made his next move and let me know while it’s been quiet, he has gone nowhere, nor is he likely to while he’s still breathing. So, I’m just peachy keen.”

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