Page 4 of Rescuing Melissa

My stomach hollows as my lion’s nature slips over my control that I keep so close to the vest.

Whatever problems I thought I had on my plate before tonight, it is clear to me that they are about to get far more harrowing.

3

Ipurse my lips as I stare down at her. “Who are you running from, sweetheart?”

“A guy I dated. Lance doesn’t know where I’m at, but he’s always looking, always trying to track me down. If you owe me a favor, could it be that? Could you help keep him away from me?”

Several thoughts come over me, from the angry ones to the more pleased purring that my lion indulges in when he’s about to devour a meal.

“I thought I told you to aim for the moon, Melissa. Of course I can keep him away from you. Give me a full name and address, and he’ll be gone by the time your head hits the pillow tomorrow night.”

Melissa doesn’t trust me. The hesitation in her eyes isn’t something I am used to seeing when I offer my assistance. Usually, a guarantee from one of the Moretti men is enough to right any wrong.

All I need is his basic information, and he’s dead. But when she rattles off the name and I send it to my brother Antonio to give me the address, it comes back with a long list of things I don’t want to see.

“Shit. Oh, shit.” My mouth pulls to the side while I scroll through the reply my middle brother has for me. Words like “Why do you need Lance’s info?” stand out, but I’ve already given my word.

Melissa is terrified of this guy.

This guy that I know.

It’s not a terribly unique name, so I need to be sure. I flip through my phone until I find a picture of him to show her. “This guy?”

She huddles against her headboard with a worried nod.

“Shit. I assumed it was some suburban idiot we’d be dealing with. Your ex-boyfriend is Lance Hamilton? You’re running from Lance Hamilton? Lance Hamilton is who you want me to take care of?”

A wave of insecurity washes over her eyes. “You said I could ask for the moon. Maybe you could talk to him and get him to leave me alone.”

I run my hand over my face. “I was planning on doing more than just running my mouth.” I don’t want to tell her that I know Lance, and that he’s part of our organization. I don’t want to tell her that he works under Antonio’s arm, dealing with our financial holdings and government shit. I don’t want to tell her anything, except that I’ll hold up my end of the deal.

But now I’m not sure I can.

I motion to the foot of her bed. “May I?”

She nods, sniffling back the last of her emotion as she finally calms. She keeps a looser hold on her body now, her arms hanging limply around her knees instead of hugging them tight to her chest. “You’ll help me?”

I sit, not at the foot of her bed but near her toes, which are bare and painted a cheery pink. “I’ll help you, Melissa. I just need some time to figure this out. Lance Hamilton will be tricky to deal with, but I gave you my word, so I intend to follow through.”

She nods. “Thank you. No matter where I go, he finds me. This place is a steal, but I can’t stay here forever. He always catches up to me, no matter how careful I am. I just want to…” She gives me a dramatic inhale and exhale, and then leans against the wooden headboard.

I motion around her apartment. “You been here long?”

She shakes her head. “Greg Bender next door rents out this unit. He said he could keep my name off the books, and I could pay him cash, so that seems to be working.” She studies my hand that rests atop the mattress between us. “Greg works for you?”

“Works poorly, but yes. He’s about to be my star employee, after my guys finish reminding him of the expectations of the job.”

As if on cue, another crash sounds from the other side of the wall. My phone rings, but before I answer, I reach out and place my hand on Melissa’s to calm her nerves.

I don’t expect her to turn her hand over and grip mine, but that’s exactly what she does. As if on cue, my cock jumps in my pants, so I have to remind him to stand down yet again.

Really?I had a nearly naked stripper sheathed to my balls, and I couldn’t get there, but Melissa holds my hand and I’m ready for action?

Something is very wrong with me.

Benny’s voice greets me. He sounds upset but not winded, so at least there’s that. “Gio, we’ve got a situation over here.”

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