Page 19 of Off-Limits Protector Daddy

“First, let me tell you that my daughter is the most important person in our lives. Her brothers would do anything to protect her, as would I,” Antonio says, exhaling another puff of smoke. “And I expect any man I hire to protect her to do the same. If it is required, you will be expected to give your life for hers.”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Good,” Antonio says with a wave of his hand. “I saw the military record. Joined when you were eighteen and stayed in until you were twenty-six. Spent a couple years in jail but got out somehow.”

I shrug, not telling him why the amount of time I served didn’t match the average for someone who had been dealing weapons. I’m thirty-four now and anything he found would say I had been released from prison when I was thirty-two.

“Looks to me like you could be the kind of man who would be able to watch over her, but you understand that I have to take this seriously.”

I nod, looking between the two Russo men. “I have no problem dedicating my life to keeping your daughter safe.”

“I should warn you that I will not tolerate any funny business. My enemies are not the only men you need to worry about. If you take advantage of my daughter or do anything to hurt her, it’s me you need to be worried about.”

I nod even though I have a hard time picturing anyone taking advantage of Aria. She seems more than capable of handling herself. Still, I didn’t doubt that he’ll hurt me if he thinks I did anything to his daughter.

“I understand,” I say. My heart is hammering in my chest and I wish I had my gun to hold onto. It would make me feel more confident in this exchange.

“Good. With that being said, I was impressed with your skills at the club last week. You were willing to take care of the threat without knowing my family. I feel as if I owe you now and I don’t like to owe people.”

“Anyone would have done what they needed to.”

Damien snorts and I can practically hear his eyes rolling from the other side of the car. I look at him again, smirking as he glares. I doubt that he and I are ever going to get along but that’s fine. I don’t need the brothers to like me, just to feel comfortable talking about the family business in front of me.

“Anyone would not have killed a man. However, I like that you were willing to take the initiative and deal with the problem. It shows me that you’re aware of your surroundings and loyal. Loyalty is something I value above all else.”

“May I ask what the pay would be?” I ask, knowing that any person actually being hired to work for Antonio Russo would be interested in the money.

“More than enough,” Antonio says with a smile. “Don’t worry about that part. Now, I’m going to take you to my estate where you can formally meet Aria. I will warn you, she can be difficult at times.”

Damien snorts. “A viper is difficult. Aria is like a viper’s worst nightmare.”

Antonio rolls his eyes as he looks at his son. “Aria is a lovely young woman and I want the best for her life. With the threats to my family starting to come out of the woodwork, I need to make sure that she is looked after.”

“I understand, sir. I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.”

“That is what I hoped you would say.”

Antonio doesn’t say anything else as his driver weaves through the dark streets. It doesn’t take long to get to the Russo mansion.

The white metal gates open wide as we approach. The car is stopped and two men check it as a dog sniffs at the vehicle before we are waved forward. Antonio looks smug as he leans back in his seat.

I stare at all he has accomplished, amazed to see it in person. The mansion is larger than it looks from the road and the gardening is done to perfection. Everything looks like it cost a lot of money.

The longer I look at my surroundings, the more I wonder if any of that money was clean.

The car stops in front of the massive house and the other men get out. I’m the last to leave the car. As soon as I’m standing beside Antonio, my gun is pressed back into my hand. I check the magazine and make sure the safety is still in place before sliding it into my waistband.

“This way,” Antonio says as he leads the way up the steps and into his house. “Aria will likely be in the library. It’s where she spends most of her time.”

“When she’s not out terrorizing the innocent,” Damien says, smirking as they lead the way through a twisting hallway.

Antonio stops in front of large wooden doors with ornate carvings. He pushes open the doors to reveal a massive library. Dark wooden shelves line the walls of the first floor and continue up the staircase to the second. There’s a balcony that overlooks the middle of the room, where Aria is leaning and looking down at us. She smirks as her gaze meets mine before she looks away.

“I wasn’t expecting you back yet, Dad,” Aria says, heading to the stairs.

“There is no point wasting any more time when it comes to your protection,” Antonio says, grinning as his daughter descends the stairs and comes over to give him a hug.

My skin crawls as I watch the exchange. There’s something wrong about watching her hug a murderer.

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