Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Gwendolyn
Stasia placed her sandwich down and stared wide-eyed at me. Meanwhile, I took another bite of mine and nodded.
“What the fuckety fuck?”
“I know,” I said, after swallowing.
“Jesus H. Christ.”
“It’s ridiculous.”
She jerked her head back. “Wait, what the fuck do you think is ridiculous?”
“This whole situation I got myself in. I didn’t think that when I called Malice for help, I’d end up moving across town to live in a house that’s brand freaking new.”
“But do you feel safer here?”
I shrugged but then admitted, “Yeah.”
“Well, girl, that’s what’s important. He’s gone above and beyond what any employer would. He’s very protective and obsessive with you, Gwen, and it definitely sounds like he’s going to call you later about a date with him.”
I scoffed and forced an awkward laugh. “No.”
Stasia rolled her eyes. “Bitch, get the fuck on board because it’ll happen, and you have to work out what you want to say.”
“I said it all last night.”
“You told him you wanted long-term. So, I don’t think he’d ask you on a date if it wasn't for something serious. He doesn’t seem like the kind of man who would string anyone along. He’d be a pump-and-dump kinda guy. Until you.”
“Shhh,” I said, placing my food down and hiding my face behind my hands as my heart galloped under my ribs.
This was crazy.
Never in all my years would I have thought Malice could be interested in me.
Well, not that I knew him years ago. But since I’d known him, I didn’t think someone who could have anyone would like me enough to take me on a date.
He was Mr. Mafia Man.
Scary and powerful, and I should be afraid of him, but I wasn’t.
I wanted to know everything about him. He was interesting and so very kind to the people he cared about.
He cares about me.
Gasping, I straightened. “He cares about me.”
Stasia snorted. “Fuck me, girl, you’re just realizing this now?”
“Oh my God. I can’t do this. He’s him and I’m me and we just don’t fit, and it was fine to look and admire and fall into liking him, but we can’t actually date.”
“Why not?”
“I told you. He’s him and I’m me. He’ll be judged for dating someone like me.”
“Fuck off, bitch. There is nothing wrong with you, and I dare you to say that to him. He’d probably tan your ass.” Stasia took a sip of her coffee. “The kids like him, even after everything they’ve seen.”
“They like him because he’s keeping us safe.”
She shook her head and glared at me like I was being dense. Maybe I was, but the reality scared me more.
“They like him because they see how he treats their sister. They see the banter, the flirting, the looks, and how he’s helped you in so many ways.”
I yelped when we heard the front door opening.
“Just me,” Greg called.
I got up from my seat and stood at the end of the hall to ask, “When did you go and where have you been?”
Greg paused his approach and smiled. “Sorry, Mom. I did leave a note. Valentina picked me up early to take me back to my house to pick up a few things.”
“Valentina? As in Malice’s mom?”
“Yes. Is that okay?”
“I found the note,” Stasia called. I turned and went back to my seat while Greg entered. Stasia placed the note on the table. “It must have blown off the counter or something.”
Greg pulled a chair out and sat. “Hello, dear.”
Stasia smiled. “Hi, Greg.”
When Greg looked back at me, he asked, “So, is it okay that I went with Valentina?”
“Yeah. Yes. Of course.”
“But…?”
“No buts or butts, ha-ha.” I cringed at my own joke.
Stasia sighed. “Greg, she’s just a tad stressed because Malice kissed her last night, and Gwen thought he didn’t want long-term, but he told her today that they’ll be going on a date, and she’s realized that he actually cares about her.”
Greg nodded like it all made sense.
Except it didn’t.
Especially not about Malice wanting to take me on a date.
“A date was bound to happen. No one goes to the lengths Malice has for someone they don’t care about. Sweetheart, how did you think he didn’t have feelings for you after moving you into a house next to his?”
I threw up my hands. “I don’t know.”
“You know what type of man he is. You know how he works. Do you like him after seeing those things?” Greg asked.
Biting my bottom lip, I clasped my hands together and brought them up to press against my mouth. My stomach fluttered as I softly admitted, “I-I… want to say yes, but that’s just scary.”
“She thinks he’s better than her and that he shouldn’t want to be seen with her.”
Greg glowered, pointing at me. “No. I won’t have that, Gwen. You’re a bright, caring, and wonderful woman who deserves the best. Not that I think Malice is the best, and I only say that because of his profession. But if you like him and want to take a chance, try.”
Oh, crap.
I wanted to.
I really did want to take a chance.
But heartache… and I wasn’t sure he meant—
Okay, he was talking to me about a date. And now I wanted to poop. I was a bundle of nerves.
Slapping my hands against my cheeks, I squished them together and muttered, “Okay.”
Stasia smiled. “‘Okay’ as in you’re going to accept his offer for a date?”
I whimpered and nodded. I dropped my hands and blew out a breath. “I think so.”
When my phone started ringing, I meeped and slid it across the table toward Greg.
He chuckled. “I don’t think Malice wants to speak to me.”
“I can’t do it,” I told him. I was a big, fat chicken. Greg’s lips thinned. He picked up the phone, and I snapped, “Don’t.”
He pressed the phone to his ear. “Hello, Malice, this is Greg. I’ll put Gwen on now she’s back.” He held out the phone to me.
I muted the call and told Greg, “You’re dead to me.”
He smiled. “Stasia, I have bags by the front door. Can you help me move them?”
“You got it.”
They left me.
Shit.
Drawing in a breath, I unmuted the call. “Hello?”
“Doll, I’ll pick you up at six. We’re going to Mordue.” The call ended.
He didn’t give me time to say yes or no. What happened if I wanted to say no? He couldn’t give me an order like that and just expect I was free. Even though I was.
I hit his number.
“Doll?”
“What happens if I’m busy? You didn’t ask. You ordered, and I don’t like that, Malice.”
“Would you have said no?”
Shit.
“Well, no, but—”
“I’ll see you at six.” I heard the smile in his tone.
“Fine. But next time you must ask me. Don’t ever order or demand it.”
“I’ll make sure I do that. I look forward to seeing you, Gwen.”
“Now you’re just being sugary sweet, and it’s making me uncomfortable.”
His laughter was loud. “Doll, I’ll see you at six.”
“Okay. See you then. Bye.”
“Later.” I could hear that he was still smiling, and knowing it warmed my belly.
Standing, I yelled, “Stasia! Emergency! Help me pick something to wear.”
Stasia walked into the room with a grin. “You’ve got a date?”
“Yes. But now I don’t know what to wear. And do I tell the kids I’m going on a date with Malice? Greg, can you look after the kids?” I called.
“Yes. Always,” he bellowed back.
I nodded. “That’s good.” Looking at Stasia, I asked, “Will you help me not look like a hermit that works from home and lives in tracksuit pants and sweaters?”
She snorted. “It’ll be tough, but I think I can handle that.”