Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
DANTE
L eaving Alyssa asleep in the apartment this morning was the single most gut-wrenching thing I’ve had to do. I’ve never wanted anything more than snuggling up beside her and letting the television we’d let ramble on all night lull me back to sleep.
Slate wants to know what’s going on with this shit at the docks, and I don’t blame him, especially not with how his parents died and especially not with his impending wedding. So, I’m sitting at the bedside as the surgeon prattles on about the man’s condition and his likelihood of waking as machines beep and swoosh around me.
“You weaned back the anesthetic this morning?” I ask him. I was too lost in thought to listen to him before, and his annoyance with me was evident on his face as he sighs.
“Yes. I expected him to wake before now, however. I think a scan of his brain to check for activity would be prudent at this stage.”
“Do you have that capability?” I ask him, scrubbing through my beard.
He looks over the man, running the scenarios through his head before he shakes his head. “No, we don’t. The sensitivity of the situation also warrants that we steer clear of mainstream hospitals.”
I nod in complete agreement with his words.
Fuck, this is so...fucked, for lack of a better term.
“So, in your opinion?” I ask him, hanging on the end of my words, hoping he’ll give me good news.
“In my honest medical opinion, based on the tests we can run, this man is brain dead.”
I sit back, closing my eyes and snarling. “Goddamnit!”
The doctor doesn’t bristle. He’s used to our bullshit and our attitudes.
“Once you hear how Mr. Ricci wants to proceed, let me know. Nurses will still care for him round the clock, per his orders. If there is any change, I’ll let you know immediately.”
I nod, pulling my phone from my pants pocket to call Slate.
“What?!” he whisper yells at me as he answers. “I’m busy.”
I grin. His whispering and tone of voice suggest that he’s with Brynne and not supposed to be on his phone.
“The surgeon says our last man standing is brain dead. Nurses will remain with him until you pull them back, but he wants your advisement on where to go from here.”
Silence ebbs on the other end of the phone, along with the low, slow beat of R absolutely nothing.
“Fine, you can go in that,” I agree without thinking.
She zips it back up. “That’s what I thought.”
I point a finger at her. “Don’t be a smartass!”
“Or what?” She stamps her foot on the marble floor.
Another step closer, and I’m looming over her. “Or I’ll take those pajamas off of you, bend you over my knee, and spank your ass until you remember the feel of my hand for a week.”
Her breathing speeds and her lips open to expel a little gasp.
“Fuck. I might do that just for the fucking fun of it if it’s something you want, tesoro.” I tip her chin up, leaning down and catching her lips.
There’s something in this kiss that wasn’t there before. Something I very much want to toy with and drag out, but I promised Slate I would sit on the docks, and it’s nearly dark.
“Shit, come on, we have to get food and get a spot before dark.”
“But what about this?” she asks, running her hand over my hard cock over my pants, and I arch into her out of instinct.
“That’ll have to wait. We have work to do. Which isn’t clear by your outfit.”
She scoffs. “If you’re going to keep being a hater, I can stay here, watch television, and eat greasy food without you.”
I throw my hands up in defense. “Fine. I’ll be on my best behavior. But I’m going in to get the food. You’re staying in the car.”
Her face softens with a teasing look that plays on her features. “Ashamed of me?”
“Never,” I answer before I even consider otherwise.
“Then I’ll go where I please, and you’ll be beside me.”
“Is this a test? Are you testing me?” I ask.
She only smirks, turns, and grabs her bag, swinging her hips delicately as she walks toward the door. Her ass in that onesie is fucking mind-blowing, and I make a mental note to buy her every color and print there is, especially if I get to unzip her every morning like a present on Christmas day.
“Come on, we have important business, remember?” she taunts as I shake my head and grab my keys off the sofa table.
Something beneath her surface, something dark, haunts her—that made her erect the walls she keeps her heart and soul behind. I feel she’s testing me with her little get-up, but I don’t know why.
Determined to pass, I open the door and let her exit before locking up and slipping my hand into hers as we head for the elevators.
“It’s going to be a long fucking night,” I groan as I hit the button for the sub-level.
She nods. “Hence the pajamas.”
I narrow my eyes at her as she looks up at me innocently. There’s not an innocent bone in this woman’s body. She was bred by the Devil himself to wreak havoc on the world and every man who encounters her.
I know because she’s doing a fucking number on me.
“Maybe I should’ve worn some of my own. Though, if I need to fight, I’d look ridiculous,” I tell her.
She cups my face, smiling sweetly. “I’ll get you a onesie.”
I laugh as the elevator opens. A man in a suit stands outside with his briefcase, eyeing Alyssa up and down with a brow perked.
She slips her hand back into mine and leads me out of the elevator and into the parking garage, not giving him even a second of her time.
“We’re not taking the Maserati tonight, are we?” she asks.
I shake my head. “No. We’re taking the Range Rover. More space.”
“Right,” she says as I hit the key fob to unlock it. “Stakeouts need space.”
“No, tesoro, that’s not what I need space for.”
Her eyes widen as a pretty blush fills her cheeks, and I thumb it as I open the door for her.
I buckle her seatbelt, only wanting to linger in her scent and the bubble we’re in a moment longer before returning to the real world. “So,” I ask, hovering near her face once the belt clicks. “What do you feel like eating.”
“At the moment?” she breathes, leaning in and dancing with me in a battle of wills.
I grin. “It’s hard to get work done around you, tesoro.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” she says.
“I have a feeling you take everything as a compliment,” I snort, pulling back and slamming her door.
I take a moment at the back of the Rover to adjust my cock and let my body calm. Maybe bringing her with me wasn’t such a good idea after all.