Page 22 of Heated Caress

“I’m De Luca business, you mean.”

“You’ll always be that, and you know it. By birth, you’re that. But this is more than me just protecting you. That’s just a perk.”

“And what was this? Taking payment? Pity it’s with me, isn’t it?”

“You’re not a whore, Mia.”

“And if I were?”

He narrows his eyes. “I wouldn’t give a fuck, and I wouldn’t call that payment. Long overdue unsaid business, perhaps, but not payment.”

“You got in security.”

“Because you didn’t want me there. It’s me or security, your pick.”

I stalk up to him, aware my underwear, or what’s left of them, are on the floor, but I’m not about to dignify myself by getting them. Not in front of him.

“I’m going to tell you what I’ll be telling Leo. Keep the fuck out of my business.”

And with that, I push past him and walk out.

ChapterSix

CHRISTIAN

“Well, dickwad,” I say out loud, “that was a real smart move there.”

And one I’m really trying fucking hard to feel bad.

I’m trying and failing.

I sigh and push my hand through my hair, totally not thinking of how hot, wet, and tight she was around my cock. And it totally doesn’t throb with a renewed need, either.

Fuck.

It’s late, I guess, but the night at Hellfire is still fairly young. I could go after her, but those security guys she fired? She might have called them off, but the company has sent others. I know because De Luca owns the fucking company. Only this time, they’re more the type to fit in here, and they are out there now.

I don’t want them following her, but they will let me know if she even thinks about leaving and they’ll join forces with Andrew the moment any trouble brews.

Yeah, I could go after her, but she needs a few moments. To adjust to how her life is gonna be for the foreseeable future.

Pulling out my phone, I call Leo. I fill him in on the latest—minus the fact, I just fucked his sister—and get the latest from him.

Nothing’s come up on this Frank Smith, and we both agree he’s too clean. Not to mention it’s probably a fake fucking name.

Leaning back in Mia’s seat behind the desk, I turn in the swivel chair a bit and stretch out my legs. The thump of the music is a constant companion.

“Angel said Mia hired him. They’ve given her that power here.” Leo’s voice is neutral, a sure sign he’s annoyed and worried, all rolled into one.

Not that I blame him. This is his sister, and after what happened, we’re all feeling that way. “Get them to dig deeper, into all the avenues beyond the regular.” Normally I don’t go around giving orders to Leo. As his right-hand man, I don’t need to. Leo’s smart, he’s on things quickly. But this is Mia.

“I’m going to do that, man.” He pauses. “What are you thinking here?”

“I’m thinking that rat we had might have had links to other rats. Everyone knows Mia’s a De Luca. And if this guy, who’s new, got one of the girls here hooked, then there’s a problem.”

“Mia’s problem. Do you think they’re our drugs?”

“Fuck if I know. That’s not the issue. We have our standards, and we cut down any of our own distributors who cross us or cross a line, like sell to kids or cut with shit that gets people dead. But I haven’t heard of anyone buying big enough to sideline.”

---