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Itune out Tony rattling in my ear as we stride inside the restaurant. No one is better than he is at managing every tiny detail but damn. Sometimes I don’t want to hear all of that shit. I just want him to take care of any problems so I can close this deal and enjoy my rib-eye.

Breathing in deep, I savor the rich scent of seared steak. L’s is famous for their corn-fed beef, hundred-year-old scotch, and stanch commitment to privacy. All three of which are essential for my meeting. Rollo has finally succumbed to my pressure, and once the paperwork is signed, a tragic accident will quickly befall him, guaranteeing there won’t be any lingering issues as I continue to expand my territory. I almost smile with smug satisfaction from toppling another regime, buckled at the foundation from the infiltration of my moles, and I cannot fucking wait to celebrate.

An exquisite angel glowing in a shimmery purple dress fills my view in the darkened lobby, and I can’t take another fucking step across the black marble. Not without staring at her. Not without speaking to her. Not without letting her know she’s going to be the one to help me bask in my victory tonight.

My mind must be more fucked up than I ever realized when my half-dead heart actually pumps harder in my chest from the sight of her. Never, in my entire thirty-three years of life, have I experienced the pull I feel with her. Most times I barely acknowledge women unless I’m in need of a quick and easy fuck. Odd and persistent, the complete opposite sensation explodes inside me from this porcelain doll who seems so lost, so fucking fragile, I can’t control my urge to swoop in and gather her up. Obsessed with an urgent need to hide her from every other bastard who must think the way I suddenly and inexplicably do. I don’t bother pondering the what or the why. I already know—this cherub sparkling in lavender silk should be locked away and never possessed by anyone but me.

All I want is for my guards to scatter so I can have her all to myself. Of course, they don’t. Unable to disappear when protecting me, they remain close and alert, especially when I’m distracted by this gorgeous wisp of a woman. Rollo’s just crazy enough with desperation to attempt retaliation after my relentless and merciless tactics have destroyed everything he’s built.

The copper-haired beauty frowns as she studies her phone. Dainty fingers slide across the screen, seeming to search for something. Unaware I will give her everything she ever needs. “Are you all alone, baby girl?”

She looks up from scanning the glass and confusion lines her flawless face. Hesitation seems to steal her words, and she glances over each narrow shoulder before she meets my gaze with an adorable blush and brushes a fingertip against her chest.

“Me?”

My cock stirs again from her squeak of shock. So innocent, so naïve, so perfect she doesn’t realize I’m claiming her already.

“Yeah…” I advance closer, too close, invading her personal space, and she stumbles backward in retreat. I can’t help myself. I need to see her sapphire eyes, touch her smooth skin, taste her plump lips. “…you.”

An enormous swallow ripples in her slender neck, and she shakes her head, flicking long, scarlet strands across the sheer cap sleeves fluttering over her arms. I stifle a groan from already imagining the fabric heaped on my bedroom floor, curious to see what—if anything—covers her round tits or luscious pussy underneath the body skimming material.

“No. I mean I’m supposed to be meeting someone but he must be running late.”

With a tentative voice sweeter than honey, she confirms what I knew the instant I saw her. She belongs with me. “He’s a fucking idiot making you wait for him.”

“Well…he was coming after work…I mean…his office is so busy…”

Uncertain if she’s flustered from making excuses for the bastard or from me boxing her in with my fists curled against the wall on each side of her petite frame. Either way I fucking love her sucking in her lower lip and shivering from me dipping down and nuzzling her hair, enjoying the hint of flowers wafting through her bouncy ringlets. “Only an asshole would leave a woman like you to fend for herself.”

She finally lifts her gaze from my jacket to my face. A hint of defiance sparks in her stunning eyes. “That’s kind of old-fashioned isn’t it?”

Damn, she’s cute when she’s feisty. “It’s protecting what’s yours.”

“But I’m not yours.”

That’s what you think. I smile, secure in the knowledge she already is. “Well I’m willing to work very hard to change that.” I cup her face and stroke my thumbs across her blazing cheeks. Surprisingly she doesn’t attempt to jerk away from my intimate touch. “I’m going to do whatever it takes to make you want to be mine.”

Shuffling feet across the tile behind me interrupt her response and the release of more than one safety clicks in the air, already thick with tension. My guys are on the offense, obviously in protective mode, so that must mean Rollo is here.

“Good!”

His nasal voice, even more annoying dripping with anxiety, resonates across the foyer.

“You’ve met Eden.”

I spin around, shielding her small body with mine. Fucking impossible she belongs to this motherfucker—or used to—since she’s mine now. He waits obediently against Tony’s hand on his chest, keeping him the required ten feet from me until I approve more. A nervous smile twitches on his thin lips.

“I thought she’d be the perfect addition to our discussion.”

He tries to lean around my men to see her, but that’s not fucking happening. His gaze will never land upon her again.

“You know, help us barter a better deal. I’m willing to make a trade if you are.”

Motherfucker. His intentions are as crystal-clear as mine. Eden is meant as a gift—an enticement to sway me from my plan of total annihilation. Even fucking worse from her shocked gasp behind me, she had no idea she’s being offered as a pawn in his sick scheme.

“Surely you would agree she’s as valuable as some of the property you want.”

I say nothing before I fly in his direction and slam my fist into his jaw, breaking the bone and dropping his limp body to the floor, the thud accompanied by her horrified scream. Blood pools behind his cracked skull that I can’t allow her to see. With an all-encompassing need to protect her, I nod to Patrick and Keene, and the men hustle to pick up the unconscious moron and carry him out. I’ll deal with him later. Right now I need to comfort my petrified girl.

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