Page 50 of Dangerous Attraction

My phone vibrated against my thigh. Slipping the device from my pocket, Antonio’s face filled my screen.

“Antonio.” I pressed the speaker, setting the phone on the table. “You’re on speaker. Has the plane arrived?”

“Yes. I’ve secured the guest and sent Carlisle back on his way. You didn’t tell me she was so beautiful.”

“Hands off, Little Brother,” I growled, eliciting a laugh from Vincenzo. “You may be blood, but I will cut off your dick if you even think of touching her.”

“Easy, Big Brother. I only meant you picked well. Although she isn’t very talkative. Maybe in a few days, she’ll warm up to me. Mom, Dad, and the twins are waiting for us back at the house.”

“Is she near you?” I tapped my fingers on the table. “Can I talk to her?”

“Hang on.”

I could hear Antonio’s muffled voice as he spoke to someone in the background.

“Sorry, Brother, she doesn’t want to talk to you right now.”

“Fuck…” I slammed my hand down on the table.

Vincenzo gripped my arm. “Give her time.”

“Listen to Vin, Massimo, she still seems pretty rattled. Plus, she’s here with a man she hardly knows. She was pretty pissed when Carlisle left her in my care.”

“Fine. Antonio, take care of her. Tell her this will all be over soon, and I’ll come for her.”

“Will do. I’m sorry I’m not there to help clean up my mess. Are you sure I can’t leave her with Carmela and Celestina and come back?”

“Antonio, this isn’t your fault. I need you there. You’re the only one I trust with her life. Not to mention, you need to remain there.” I didn’t want to say until our grandfather died, but that’s what was running through my head. Grandfather has lasted longer than we’d expected.

“Fine, but let me know what’s going on. The stolen guns were on my watch, therefore my responsibility.”

“Take care of Madison, and I’ll take care of this mess.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow. Fino a domani,” Antonio bid farewell.

“Fino a domani,” I replied before pressing the button to end the call.

“Carlisle will be back tomorrow. Julie will be in charge of the club until then, but I want more guys here keeping watch. We should probably put more men at the restaurant and the construction site. I don’t want anyone to get through again.”

thirty-three

MADISON

I stoodbeside the door of the waiting SUV, watching as Antonio and Carlisle spoke. As soon as Carlisle waved, signaling his departure, Antonio picked up his phone and dialed a number. Although I wasn’t that far from him, I couldn’t hear what he was saying. My instincts told me he was talking to Massimo by the way his eyes drifted over my frame.

“Madison,” he called out, the phone covered in his hand. “Massimo would like to speak to you.”

I shook my head, still too confused to carry on a conversation with him. Antonio shrugged and pressed the phone back to his ear.

“Ma’am.” A man with a heavy Italian accent placed his hand on the car beside me and opened the door. “Here.” He waved his hand toward the empty seat.

Sliding inside, I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. Being here without Massimo felt wrong. My insides twisted with fear and worry about what was happening back in Vegas. Antonio slid in beside me and spoke in Italian to the driver. Fastening his seat belt, he reached across my lap and secured mine in place.

My eyes snapped to his. “I could have done that.”

“I’m sure you could have, but my brother has tasked me with taking care of you. When did you eat last?”

“I don’t remember,” I mumbled, my head darting away from his. I couldn’t remember what day it was, much less when I last ate.

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