Page 49 of On Ice

“The nurse said the swelling is going down nicely and they should be able to operate tomorrow.” I grimace. “But you’ll be on crutches for a while.”

“Fuck,” he growls. “That makes me about as useful to you as a garden statue.”

“Worried about your job?”

He smirks. “Of course. My boss is a heartless bastard who’ll fire me in a heartbeat if I’m not able to work.”

I narrow my eyes. “Really? Cuz I hear he’s a pretty awesome guy who takes care of his loyal soldiers.”

Marco wrinkles his brow. “Even so, I hate not being by your side.”

My impulse is to reach out and touch his hand to comfort him. I’d never walk away from any of my men, especially Marco. But I don’t make that gesture of reassurance to him. Something in me won’t let me. I have trouble showing affection and shit like that. My sister and mother are the only ones I’m openly affectionate with. But Marco knows I care about him, and that will have to be good enough.

“Don’t worry. You’re still useful to me.” I glance toward the window. The blinds are tilted, letting in slivers of the late morning light. “Just because you can’t run doesn’t mean youaren’t still dangerous. I’ll just be sure Lane or Sal are also there at meetings. Just in case there’s trouble.”

He watches me. “Sure. That makes sense. Especially if people are gunning for Evan. Seems you’re hellbent on protecting him.” I can feel he wants to ask me details about my plans for Evan, but he hesitates.

I don’t mind sharing my plan with Marco. He often has great insight and I want to hear his thoughts on the Evan situation. “Curious about what I have planned on the Evan front?”

He perks up, but then shrugs nonchalantly. “Uh, sure if you want to tell me.” He sniffs, feigning indifference. “You don’t have to.”

I smirk. “Come on, admit it. You’re dying to know what I’m up to.”

He tries not to smile but can’t quite do it. With a grin, he says, “Okay, tell me. What the hell is that fucker doing living in your home?”

“That’s more like it.” I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms. “He’s there because it’s the safest place for him, but also because he’s a fun distraction.”

He twists his lips. “Got it. You’re thinking with your dick again.”

My face warms, but why deny it? I am thinking with my dick. “Yeah, I might be. But he’s different from most guys I’ve trifled with. He holds my attention.” I blow out a breath. “And the sex? Fuck, Marco, it was off the charts hot.”

He gives a gruff laugh. “Can’t say I’ve ever seen you quite like this about a guy.”

“I’m not sure I’ve ever been obsessed with a guy before. Maybe it’s because he hates me.” I laugh. “I’m kind of twisted like that. I want what I can’t have.”

“Yeah, you don’t like the word no.” He studies me. There’s a bit of concern shimmering in his dark eyes. “I just don’t want you to be collateral damage because you want to fuck the guy. Vincent and the others are pissed, as you well know.”

“Of course they are. They have a right to be mad. Hell, I’m still mad the prick ignored me and did what he wanted, instead of what I told him to do. But I want more of him. And if he’s dead, that doesn’t happen.”

“So how do you get Vincent to back off?”

“By claiming Evan as my property.”

His eyes flicker. “Meaning what? You’re not marrying the guy, right?” He looks slightly horrified.

“Fuck no,” I scowl. “I’ll just put the word out that he’s untouchable. I’ll let them know he belongs to me, so they need to keep their hands off him. Until I’m done with him.” I smirk.

“Okay.” He nods. “So this is just like a temporary thing.”

“Obviously.”

He’s quiet for a bit, then he clears his throat. “I guess that will work. It’s true if he’s officially your lover, the others won’t dare touch him.” He hesitates. “Is Evan cool with this?” His tone says he knows perfectly well he isn’t.

“He’ll get there.” I examine my neatly manicured nails.

“And if he doesn’t?”

I look up. “Then you might just get another shot at him.”

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