Page 6 of Midnight Rose

My house is huge but nowhere near the size of her father's. It's not that I couldn't afford it because I could, but I knew she hated the size of his house. Mine is still big enough to have a family wing and guest wing. And, of course, there is no tower.

They are a lot of grounds with different buildings. I know she will be safe here. I've made sure of it.

As we step through the door, her reaction is everything I hoped it would be.

She gasps. "How did you... "

This is her dream house. I built it for her, every detail, everything she has ever wanted.

"Remember a few years ago you had an assignment to build your dream house using a huge stack of home magazines? It was for art class."

"Yes, it was the most fun I'd had in any of my assignments."

"That was all me. When I was given your project to look at, it was then we broke ground on Petronella." I hold my hands up at the house around me.

"The Italian Rapunzel." She says in a whisper, looking over the living room and slowly walking toward the large floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the backyard.

When she stops and just stares, I know the moment she sees it. It's my greenhouse, and even from here, you can tell it's filled with only one kind of flower.

Midnight Roses.

They were always her favorite and are very rare and hard to grow. But I have hired the best gardener to grow and maintain them for me. That's his only job, to keep it full of midnight roses so she can have them any time she wants.

"That's where you got them from." She smiles at me.

"Any time of the year, there will always be Midnight Roses in the house. Any time you want them, just say the word."

Turning, she offers me a smile before slowly starting down the hallway that leads to her dream library and my office. As I turn to follow, one of my security guys comes up and whispers in my ear.

"We have the woman in custody, but the man took off. We are on his trail, and a team is closing in on him now."

"Put them both in my playroom."

When the guard nods and walks off, I follow Ruby.

My playroom is the name for the room in the basement where I get to work hands-on with those who refuse to work with us. With those who try to attack us, or who I need information from, and most importantly, those who try to harm my girl.

My men use this room more than I do, but I still get my hands dirty now and then. Though I don't do the hands-on work much anymore, I have a few close guys I trust to do it. When it comes to Ruby, though, I will always be the one to take care of things for her. But these two are mine and mine alone.

"This your office?" She asks, just standing at the door.

"Yes, and you are welcome anytime," I tell her.

She looks skeptically at me, and I can't blame her. Her father doesn't let anyone in his office. Hell, most heads of the family don't allow their wives in the office or their children. The only people allowed in are the ones they command or invite in. When she tried to visit her dad many times as a kid, she got into so much trouble.

He will learn that I am nothing like her father. I want her around me as much as possible. My words won't prove that today, but over time my actions will.

"Where will I be sleeping?" she asks.

I tilt my head for her to follow me.

Then I lead her upstairs and to the master suite.

"You will sleep here with me."

"What? No way."

"You will sleep here so I can keep you safe until the threat against you is gone. There is no discussion on this. The bed is more than big enough for the two of us." I get stern with her.

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