Page 76 of Masked Seduction
“So,” Mikail says finally, “the meeting’s pushed to tomorrow then.”
“Ten a.m., Agosti family home,” I confirm. “No more games. No more chasing. They want to talk, we talk. If they don’t,” I drain my whiskey, “then they’ll see what happens when they play footsie on my turf.”
“Keep me with you from here on out,” Denis says, tone clipped. “I don’t like this.”
“Agreed,” Mikail adds. “From now on, you’re not walking around alone. We’ve let it slide too long.”
“I’m going out with Jenna tonight.” I glance at the time, heart racing at the thought of her probably slipping into something that’ll make me lose my self-control. “After that, we’ll talk guards. Starting tomorrow.”
They don’t like it, their disapproval evident in their silence. But they don’t argue, either. I’m still the boss.
I end the call and set the phone down, letting the quiet settle over the room. I pour one more drink, just a small one. The kind meant for contemplation.
If I’d pulled the trigger today, things would be simpler. Nico’s body in a grave. Don Agosti too frail to retaliate. It would create a few waves, some noise. But no war.
No honor, either.
That matters. At least to me.
I finish the whiskey and stand, smoothing my jacket. I’ve got a woman to see. One who’s starting to matter more than I ever expected.
And if Nico or anyone else lays a finger on her, there won’t be any hesitation next time.
I lock the office and step into the elevator, eager to see my girl.
The valet pulls up with my car. I thank him with a nod and a gracious tip, then slip into the driver’s seat. Normally, I’d park it myself, underground, tucked in the garage beneath my building. But after yesterday’s little stunt, I’m not taking any chances. New security measures are already in the works, but until the system’s rebuilt from the ground up, the place is compromised.
I merge onto the Strip and head toward Jenna’s place. Traffic is light, the city still stretching its limbs after the heat of the day. It gives me time to think—too much time.
Last night, she was… off. Not cold, not angry. Just somewhere far away. Wrapped up in something I wasn’t allowed to touch.
She said she was worried about Claire, but I know she was lying. I could see it in her eyes. I didn’t push, and that restraint is still eating at me. I hate being kept at arm’s length. But I’ve done the same to her—hell, worse.
What the hell are we, anyway?
She’s more than a distraction. More than a beautiful woman I can’t get enough of. She’s clever, grounded, real. She walked into my world without flinching, and she’s made herself at home in it—despite the danger, despite the challenges.
She came with me to my family brunch last weekend. She sat beside my sister and won over my nieces with lopsided pancakes. She laughed with Mikail and Denis. Everyone loved her.
So why have I kept her a secret?
Because it’s safer. Because if anyone ever found out…
My hand tightens on the steering wheel.
I picture Nico again. Only this time, it’s not me he’s confronting in the garage. It’s her.
I see the flash of a gun in his hand, the way he smirks because he knows he’s holding something precious to me hostage. That image, the possibility sets fire ablaze beneath my skin. I’d kill him. No hesitation. No warning.
I inhale slowly, forcing myself to focus. Jenna’s safety has always come first, which is why our relationship status is vague. Undefined. Why I don’t call her mine outside of the bedroom.
But maybe I’ve been going about it all wrong.
Maybe what she needs isn’t space but the truth.
Tonight, I’ll ask her to stay over. If she says yes, I’ll tell her. Tell her what she means to me. Tell her I want her close, that I’ll always keep her safe, even if the world is burning down around us.
I pull up to her building and kill the engine, eyes sweeping over the place. It’s a fine apartment, location. But fine isn’t good enough. Not for Jenna. Not anymore.
