Page 82 of On Ice

“If anyone can do it, Antonio can. I assume you’ve made Maxim pay for what he did?”

“Me?” I fake an innocent expression. “Why, I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”

He laughs, but there’s the sheen of sweat on his upper lip, and he winces as he moves to adjust his position. “Please tell me he’s swimming with the fishies.”

“I wouldn’t do that to the fishies. They might get food poisoning,” I say. “He had an unfortunate motorcycle accident. Went right off a cliff.” I make whooshing sound.

He smiles, but I can see how hard he’s trying to hide that he’s hurting.

“You’re in a lot of pain, aren’t you?” I ask.

“Nah. I can handle one little broken bone.”

I study him and then shoot off a text to Isabella asking if she can help play nursemaid to Marco for a few days. I don’t bother running it by Marco. He’d only squash the idea. Five seconds later my phone dings with a response from Isabella saying she’s happy to help.

I turn to him. “I’m going to have Danny drop you off at your home.” He opens his mouth to argue, but I talk over him. “I’m sending Isabella over to take care of you for a few days. She’s already confirmed she’s happy to do it.”

“What?” He bugs his eyes. “No, that’s not necessary. I’m telling you I’m fine.” He gestures dismissively toward the leg that’s in a cast. “It’s one little bone. I’ve broken lots of bones before.”

“I’m aware. I’m also aware that you’d say you were okay if you had an axe in your skull,” I mutter. “You shouldn’t have met me at the airport. As happy as I was to see you, you’re not going to heal if you push yourself before you’re ready. Why are you so gung-ho to get back to work? Shouldn’t you milk this for time off like a normal person?”

He avoids my gaze. “There’s too much going on right now. I mean, you have the situation with Luigi getting shot, and thenthis thing in Italy, and that hockey guy to deal with. I can’t just sit on the sidelines. It feels wrong.”

I smile, taking in his grumpy expression. “I appreciate that you want to protect me. You’re a good friend. But Luigi is fine, and I handled that situation with Sergei Kovalev already. The thing in Italy seems to be smoothed over for now. You need rest, Marco. You don’t need to worry about me.”

He narrows his eyes. “And the hockey guy? Is he handled too?”

I tense at the mention of Evan. “He’s all settled in at my home, if that’s what you mean.” I pour myself more bourbon, mostly so I don’t have to meet his eyes.

“How’s that going?” He sounds genuinely curious. “Did you claim your prize yet for saving his ass?”

“No.” I sigh and lean back against the leather upholstery. “He’s as prickly as a cactus.”

Marco’s dark brows knit. “Still? Even after all you’ve done for him?”

“Yep.” I meet his gaze. “He’s an ungrateful little shit.”

He studies me. “I can’t believe he’s not showing you his… er… appreciation. He should be down on his knees sucking your dick every night. You saved his rebellious ass and you didn’t have to.”

“I know, right?” I scowl. “But he’s sure as hell not offering anything up. In fact, most of the time he looks like he’d love to slit my throat.”

Marco laughs. “Maybe that’s his style of foreplay.”

“No, I know what he’s like when he wants to fuck, remember?” I shift uneasily, riddled with frustration. “I don’t get why he’s still being so standoffish. I mean, I’ve done the things I promised I’d do. He’s alive because of me. You’d think he’d want to show me a little gratitude.”

Marco rubs his stubbled chin, looking thoughtful. “It’s your right to collect on your debt. He agreed to your terms. You should just go for it.”

“I’m not going to force the guy,” I say, shuddering. “I’ve never had to coerce anyone into sleeping with me.”

“No,” Marco murmurs. “They’re usually only too willing. From what you told me, you two had great sexual chemistry the night you met. That attraction is probably still there. Maybe he can’t see you as that guy now because of all you’ve been through.”

“God, that feels like a decade ago.” I sip my drink, remembering my first night with Evan. “We really did click though, until I had to drop the hammer on him.”

“I think you just have to put some time into him. You need to remind him that you’re not just Luca Barone the mob boss.” He smirks. “You’re also just a man whose dick needs a little lovin’.”

I snort a laugh. “That was touching. You should write romance novels.”

His grin widens. “I’m just trying to help.”

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