Page 5 of Fierce Protector

Most men in my position rely on their men and their guns to protect them and tend to slack off when it comes to staying on form. Half the capos couldn’t fight their way out of a paper bag. It’s embarrassing really.

Not me though, and she’s mistaken if she thinks she can overpower me. The idea of it draws a smirk to my lips, which is swiftly followed by a gasp of pain when she scratches long gouges into my neck.

I jump backwards, more out of shock than anything, but I doubt she’s done any lasting damage to anything other than my pride.

“Easy now,micetta. There’s no need to get your claws out,” I tease in a low rumble.

“Then back the fuck off, Stef.” Her shoulders rise and fall in time with the soft pants escaping her parted lips. “This is getting out of hand.”

“I couldn’t agree more.” She has no idea how much I agree. My heart thumps like it’s trying to beat out of my chest. She hasn’t been this close to me since that kiss and my body wants nothing more than to taste her again. My mind though, knows that if I did, it would be my undoing.

I straighten my collar and run my fingertips over her scratches, hoping the motion will soothe the sting and bring me back to my senses. Right now, it’s taking everything in me not to throw her back against the wall andremind myself just how soft those lips feel against mine.Fuck. What is it about the way this woman rails against me that makes me want to conquer her?

Her rich chestnut eyes lock on to mine and as always, they simmer with unspoken words. The silence forces an air of awkwardness between us.

After flicking her gaze away, clocking the neatly stacked shoes by the front door, she smiles and lets out a resigned sigh. “I will concede that there is a guy at work who got in my way while I was trying to source supplies to treat Aurora. However, when I told Nico about it, I was venting. I needed to get back to the safe house, and Danny was slowing me down.”

“Okay, but why does Nico think he’s a stalker?” I ask, knowing she’s not telling me everything.

“He’s not a stalker. We went on one date and the chemistry wasn’t there, so we decided to stay friends. It’s just that his idea of friends involves a lot more day-to-day interaction than I’m used to. You know I’m an introvert at heart.”

“Give me an example of what he’s doing?” I stand a little straighter and cross my arms over my chest, refusing to drop this.

“He keeps swapping his shifts with other nurses to get on my rotation.”

“And?” I push. A sheepish expression blossoms across her features, and I struggle to maintain my rigid composure. As she softens before me, I worry how much she’s not saying. What if she’s more worried than she’s letting on and she doesn’t trust me enough to tell me?

“On to my service.”

“And?” I simply arch a brow with my last prompt.

Kat shakes her head before rolling her eyes, cocking her hip, and folding her arms across her body defensively. “And posts notes into my locker every day.”

My body has moved before my brain has fully engaged. I slowly dip my head to hers and fix an unforgiving glower at her. “And you can’t see why maybe that’s a little unsafe? A man you rejected is inserting himself into your life. As you told me earlier, you’re a grown ass woman, Katerina. How are you not seeing that this is problematic?”

“Well… when you put it like that. I guess I can see you have a point.” Her voice is softer now, the cadence betraying the doubt that seems to be seeping into her thoughts. “But it’s not your place to do anything about it. This is my life, Stefano. And it has the potential to impact my career.”

Our foreheads are nearly touching, eyes entirely focused on each other, while our breaths ricochet off each other’s cheeks. Every part of me is desperate to close what little distance is still left between us, but I know I can’t. She can’t be mine. “And why is that?”

“Because his father is on the hospital’s board of directors, and I don’t want to end up on the board’s radar for the wrong reasons.”

Of course, now it makes sense. “That’s how he changed his shifts so easily. So, you need to get rid of him without pissing off the hospital administration?”

“Exactly. So, you see why you kneecapping him for wanting a second date is out of the question?” The thought of her dating leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.Even if this asshole was good enough for her, I’d still detest him for simply being able to date her. When you add in not taking no for an answer, I’d gladly kneecap him.

“I can see your point, but I don’t like that he hasn’t got the message.” I nod at her reasoning, but honestly, I’m too busy trying not to inhale whatever intoxicating scent is wafting off of her hair. I shouldn’t be this close to her. If I stay here much longer, I’m likely to do something stupid. I swallow hard, the scruff of stubble scraping against my collar.

Katerina snaps my focus back to her with a gentle cough. “There is another option.”

“I’m listening.”I think I’m listening. It’s tough to focus when her tongue flicks over her plump bottom lip.

“The quickest way for Danny to get the message would be to start seeing someone else.”

Her words don’t register right away, but when they do, I shake my head, forcing myself back to reality while taking a swift step away from her.

“What did you just say?” I ask, unable to hide the surprise in my voice. My mouth is suddenly as dry as The Sahara.Is she saying what I think she’s saying?

“If he thought I was seeing someone else, he’d probably back off.” There’s a smile teasing the corners of her mouth and her familiar brand of impertinence is eking its way back into her tone. “I guess I could ask one of Dad’s men to do me a solid and show up a few times at the hospital.”

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