Page 8 of The Sicilian Princess
For the next few hours, I played with him. On hour three, he finally let a scream loose. It soothed me. I slowed down after that. I didn't want him to bleed out. I finally got him to tell the secrets he had from the bratva, and what I heard chilled me to the bone. I needed to verify and then I needed to get my ass the fuck out of New York. In my haste to get out, I barely made a statement with his body. It didn't bring me the satisfaction I normally got from them. No, I was too distracted by the information I had gotten. Instead, I took off first chance I got. Just like a rat.
I woke up in my bed, covered in a layer of sweat. Shaking off the reason why I left the only home I'd ever known, I hopped into the shower. New York was in the past. It had been years, and I doubted they were looking for me. I may be a Falcone, but I was never meant to rule. I didn't want it. I would never want it. The blood and mayhem I lived for. Everything else wasn't in the cards for me. I was the lowest son. Unless my entire family got slaughtered, I had nothing to worry about.
After my shower, my next thoughts were of Rose. I wanted to know her. I wanted to know her story. I didn't believe she was on the run from some abusive shit. On the run? Sure, but I think it was more than she let on. Maybe the guy was part of something shady. I shouldn't even think about her. She was a liar, the one thing I never wanted to be around. I was sure she had her reasons, but for me, they didn't mean squat. If one must lie, then they probably also had other secrets. I skipped going to the diner, which was unusual. I ate and dressed as quickly as possible. Doc Brown would be opening the clinic and I wanted to be there and make sure Rose made it. I just needed to get my eyes on her, make sure she was still here and that she was doing all right.
I texted Maddox before I got on the road. About now, he was probably tossing some skank out of his place. He could tend to the horses this morning. I would pay him back with food and companionship. It was our way. Maddox was a work from home type during the day and had the bar at night. He was good with hacking and could find anything on anybody. He made his own schedule and lived under his own rules. I didn't have to worry about what he was up to. He made himself invaluable to me. If he wasn't behind the computer, he was on the ranch helping me out. He helped me build my small business up to the point it was today. Honestly, I don't think I would've been able to make it in this small town without him.
I sat in my car waiting to see Rose. Doc Brown had opened the clinic an hour ago and she still hadn't arrived yet. I was just about to leave and drive past the motel, when I saw her SUV pull up. She hopped out. She was beautiful. Her choppily cut white strands were floating around her face. She was wearing a tank top, shorts, and boots. Simple. I racked my gaze up her legs. She might be short, but her legs were the longest part of her. Her ass was probably her next best asset. It was perky and sat high and tight in her jean shorts. I jumped out of my truck and stalked after her. It hadn't occurred to me that my actions would be looked at as odd. I just wanted eyes on my girl. Not my girl, the new girl. That's what she was. I met up with her at Doc Brown's door and a flash of annoyance ran across her face.
"What are you doing here?" she huffed.
I smirked. I think annoying her was about to be the brightest part of my day. "Wanted to check and make sure you came." I shrugged like it was no big deal, but inside, I felt like it was. I mean, she wasn't mine. Her safety and health meant nothing to me. That's what I should have been telling myself. Yet I couldn't turn away from her. I wanted her around even if she was trouble.
"I don't need a keeper."
I groaned just thinking about being that person for her. I could take care of her. I could be everything she needed. I shook my head, and she took it to mean I was disagreeing with her. Before she could lay into me, I opened the door and pushed her inside the clinic. The skin beneath my hand felt warm, almost hot to the touch.
"Rose, you collapsed yesterday because you aren't taking care of yourself. I think you do need a keeper. In fact, I'm going to find you one in this town. I don't want you dying because you're too stubborn to ask for help," I looked down at her angelic features, which were covered in horror.
"I don't need you or anyone else, Nick Greer. Stay out of my business."
I could feel my temper rising. What was it about this girl that made me want to fight? I wanted to exchange more barbs with her, go back and forth until the sexual tension pulled us together in a dynamite explosion. That wasn't going to be in the cards today because Doc Brown had come out to escort her back.
"I'll be waiting for you to come out, little Rose," I leaned down to murmur against her temple and gave her a light kiss.
She looked shocked, then determination lit her features. She flipped me the bird before hightailing it into the office with Doc Brown.
I laughed out loud in the empty waiting room. I had to admire her spunk. I knew she was going to need it if she wanted to keep up with me. I could feel the huge grin spread across my face as I thought about all the things I was going to do to my little Rose. I wouldn't keep her, but I could sure dirty her up before I sent her on her way. Out of my town. Out of my life. For good.
