Page 21 of Delivered in White

Heat starts to rush between my legs.

It’s too early for this.

I carefully tiptoe down the stairs, realizing the TV is on –Gladiatorwith Russell Crowe. Great movie. Oh God, is he awake?

“Did you sleep well?” his deep voice makes me nearly slip on the stairs.

I grab onto the cast iron banister tight, which makes athrumthrough the house.

“Told you those steps can be slippery.”

“Good morning,” my voice is a raspy mess. “And yes, I slept surprisingly well. Thanks for changing the sheets.”

“I’ll be changing them again, too.”

I gasp, and I think I catch a smirk he’s trying hard to hide. “You think I’m dirty like one of your—” I restrain myself, remembering how sensitive of a murderer he is.

“It’s not you, it’s me. Everythingmust stay cleanin my house.”

“Yes, führer.” I stand at attention on the steps like I’m a German soldier.

He sits up, which makes me blush again. Every muscle in his arm is gigantic – those small flexes showing me what a specimen he is. “Ready for work?”

“Excuse me? I amnotstripping.”

He laughs at me,finally. Been pulling double duty to get more than a grunt out of him.

“Now that would be a sight.”

Shit. I’m blushingagain.

He gets up and scratches his hair. How the hell does it stay perfectly messy like that? It’s like he doesn’t even have to try tobe an evil Greek god. What’s he reaching for? My brow furrows when he picks up a pantsuit in a dry-cleaner bag and presents it to me.

“You’re a lawyer, right? Don’t you work all weekend?”

“Um, yeah? But I kind of thought I was calling out sick for the foreseeable future.”

“Nope. Business as usual. You’ll just have a driver for a little while.”

“But—”

“Something you should know about theCosa Nostra, they usually don’t take innocent hostages to get back at their target. We operate in the dark, with those who dare participate. It’sourfamily – the Valentinos – who used to skate on the edge of that when Don Gio was in charge. But not anymore since the Stallion took over.”

“Led by a horse. Great.”

“You wouldn’t be making jokes if you saw him.” He points at me, then tosses the pantsuit my way. “The Lucrazis and Barones – who undoubtedly will be looking for your father – won’t use you to get to him. However, there are some loose guns these days… so better safe than sorry.”

“So convincing.” I narrow my eyes. “Wait, I think I get it. They’ll be looking for you, not me, right?”

“’Atta girl. Now you see why I’m getting rid of you for the day.”

“Are you in danger?” I hug the pantsuit tight. It smells so fresh, like steam.

“Don’t know yet. My crew all have their ears to the ground. Whispers are starting to travel since Sonny and Groundhog are missing. It’s just a matter of time before they start sending scouts. Now go get dressed.”

One look at the clock makes me hurry back up the stairs. I haven’t been lateever, and don’t plan to start now.

God, this is weird.I hold up the outfit I wouldn’t wear in a thousand years. It’s more like a designer jumper than it is a suit. Better than what I’m wearing, I guess. After a quick shower to rinse off my body that does wonders to calm some of my surface nerves, I slip into the suit. Nothing I can do about the day-old panties, but at least I won’t have to wear short-shorts to the office. He even remembered shoes, expensive heels going by the label.

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