Page 11 of Marrying the Underboss

“Yeah, I know.” He was a wreck after his wife was murdered. He hired me to find out who did it. Once I had, he kept me on to keep eyes on Jennifer, to make sure she was safe. She doesn’t know I’ve been with her since that first night I met her. Not justbecause her dad ordered me to, but because I had insisted I be the one to watch over her. “Boss, she needs to be somewhere off the grid until we can get intel on Marino and figure out his plan. After everything that’s happened, we need to look deeper into Marino and his family. I never liked him, but I thought it was because – it doesn’t matter. I have a bad feeling about this, Boss.”

“I’ve known you for a long time, Rossi. I don’t trust easily, but if there’s one thing I’ve come to depend on, it’s your gut. If you say she needs to be off the grid, so be it. What’s the plan?”

And the part he’s going to kill me for. “I can’t tell you–”

“I’m going to–”

“Just know that she’ll be safe with me. I’d rather die than have anything bad happen to Jennifer. I’ll be in contact with you when I know it’s safe.”

“Not fucking happening,” He snaps.

“I’m not arguing with you about this. It’s done,” I growl, then end the call.

I had hoped it wouldn’t come to that, but I knew it was a good possibility.

As soon as Marino tried running me over, I started coming up with a plan. One I didn’t let Perrelli in on.

I have property all over the country I’ve bought in case I ever needed to disappear. I purchased the properties through a shell company so they wouldn’t directly tie back to me.

I finalize our plans for the coming weeks then close down my computer and office. I don’t know when we’ll be back and I won’t let anyone come in here and ruin everything.

Did I ever think I’d get a chance with the principessa herself? Hell no! Did I imagine what I’d do if I ever did? You bet your sweet ass I have. This is my moment to prove to her that I’m the man she belongs with. I know she doesn’t think she wants this life. Especially after everything that happened with her mom. Iget it. If anyone gets it, it’s me. I’ll show her she can be with a man in ‘the life’ and be safe. More than that, I’ll prove to her she can be unbelievably happy.

Once I’m finished, I cross the hall to my bedroom to grab a shower. When I get there, I stop dead in my tracks to stare at the angel curled up under my sheets. Fuck me, she’s beautiful. A slip of moonlight shines through the window onto her porcelain face. Her dark lashes surround her beautiful skin, her short pert nose, and full lips. Marino is a fool for passing her up. Yeah, she’s thick with a handful of curves, but I fucking love it. When I get my hands on her, I’m going to hold on tight and never let go.

I jump in and take a quick shower to rinse the day off of me. Then pull on a pair of boxer briefs and carefully slide in beside her. I’ve never had uninterrupted time to just stare without trying to get caught. It takes me a while to fall asleep, memorizing every curve of her face. Eventually, I fall asleep knowing that the world will be different when we wake.

Chapter Seven

JENNIFER

I’m warm.Too warm. I quickly realize I’m enveloped in someone’s big, strong arms. Opening my eyes, I get a sense of where I am and, more importantly, who I’m with. Kane. The very thought of him makes me feel safe and puts me at ease. He’s always been there in the shadows. Always watching. His intense stare made me question my sanity when my teenage heart wanted nothing more than for him to want me. I knew it was crazy, but that didn’t keep me from hoping he’d see me as more than a job.

The sun is just starting to peek through the curtains, telling me we’ve only been asleep for a few hours. Not nearly long enough usually, but I’m wide awake, taking in this moment, memorizing everything about it. His scent surrounds me with every breath I take. Who knew he smelled this good? Kind of spicy, a little sweet, but all man. Nothing like Jacob. No, he smelled like expensive cologne. It always made me feel like he was trying too hard. Kane’s masculine scent is effortless.

Instead of wiggling away from him, I relax against his muscular and very naked chest. He’s pressed against my back and his large hand hangs loosely over my belly. He’s slowlyrubbing his thumb back and forth against my skin. I don’t think he realizes he’s doing it if the soft snores are anything to go by.

My heart races. I’ve never been this close to anyone, it seems so intimate. So right. He’s most likely dreaming about one of his past lovers. Lovers? Women? Hell, I don’t even know if he has a girlfriend. I’ve never seen him with anyone, but that doesn’t mean anything.

His hand moves and he squeezes my hip. “Shhh, you’re thinking too loud,” He murmurs against my ear.

The heat from his breath tickles my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I end up shifting even closer to him. So close that I feel his thick length pressed against my butt.

Kane groans a deep, guttural moan, then nips my ear. “Angel, you better stop moving your sweet ass. I’m hanging on by a thread here,” He says in a raspy voice.

“I didn’t know you were awake,” I whisper after a moment.

He grips my hip and pulls me even closer. “Hard to sleep with you in my bed.”

My center throbs between my thighs. I shift again trying to relieve the ache, not trying to tempt the beast, but the next thing I know, I’m lying flat on the bed and Kane is hovering over me. He’s got a crazed look in his eyes and I’m caught in his sights. “What did I tell you?” He growls.

My chest heaves up and down, and my breathing becomes shallow. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to. It’s just…” I blush, not knowing the words to say or how to tell him what’s happening to me. I’ve never needed someone’s touch like I need Kane’s. I look anywhere but at him, unsure of what to do or say.

Kane grips my chin and turns my face to look at him. “Do you need me to make it feel better, Angel?”

I nod without thinking of the repercussions. I just need him to do something.

He shifts his hips, and his length moves, hitting my most sensitive spot. A moan escapes my lips as my eyes roll in the back of my head. “Ohhh,” I sigh.

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