Chapter 19
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Malice
When I knocked on the front door of her house, I only had to wait a few minutes before Gwen’s friend, Stasia, opened the door.
“Well, hello there,” she said with a cheeky grin, leaning against the doorframe.
“Stasia. How are you?”
“Oh, just wonderful.”
Tipping my chin in response, I waited for her to move aside, but she didn’t.
“May I come in?”
“After you answer me this, big man.”
Annoyance had me grinding my teeth together, until I remembered she was Gwen’s close friend. For my doll’s sake, I could put up with a little questioning. “Yes?” I asked tightly.
“What’s your intention with my girl? She informed me that she told you she’s after long-term. So, this date better be serious and not some elaborate plan to just get into her panties.”
I wanted to snarl that it wasn’t any of her business. Instead, I told her, “You’re lucky you’re Gwen’s friend. I don’t take kindly to people questioning me.”
This woman had the audacity to give me an eyeroll and huff as she folded her arms across her chest.
Hell.
“However, I will let you know”—I leaned down so I was eye level with her—“that I will make Gwen mine.”
She looked into my eyes, and I knew she saw how serious I was when she straightened and moved to the side to let me through.
Stepping into the house, I noticed Greg and the kids in the lounge. The old man rested in the armchair while Felix and Amelia sat in front of the coffee table with their homework spread out.
I walked over and crouched beside them. “How’s the studying going?”
They both smiled brightly before they said at the same time, “Hey, Malice.”
Felix took off his glasses to wipe the lenses as he told me, “Studying’s going well. Nearly done, actually.”
“That’s great to hear.”
Amelia sighed. “I still have a little bit left to do. I’ve got to read the next five chapters of a book for English, but then I should be caught up.”
“Hopefully the book’s interesting?”
“It’s okay so far. They never give us anything exciting to read for school, though. Nothing like fantasy books.”
“As long as they’re age appropriate, missy.”
There was that sweet voice I’d become accustomed to—one I craved to hear.
With a ruffle of Amelia’s hair, I stood and turned.
Gwen was at the top of the stairs, looking absolutely stunning, her hair tied up in a messy bun with loose strands framing her face.
She wore a beautiful deep blue dress that fit her perfectly.
When I met her gaze, everything around me faded, and all I saw was her.
This was my woman.
Tonight, I’d make sure she knew that.
I was going to show her she was made to be in my world—bound to me.
I walked over to the bottom of the staircase and reached out my hand for her to take when she stopped in front of me with a shy smile. “You look absolutely stunning, baby.”
A blush coated her cheeks as she took my hand. “Thanks, stud muffin.”
I followed her gaze as it wandered over my lips, then slowly back up, unmistakable want in her eyes.
I cupped her chin with my free hand, tilting her face up as I leaned down and captured her mouth in a slow, consuming kiss—dark with intent to make her understand how much I saw her, how much she consumed me.
Pulling back, I brushed my thumb over her bottom lip before kissing her nose. Whistling broke my focus, and I could tell by Gwen’s wide eyes that she’d been lost in the moment too. Turning around, I gently guided Gwen to her bright-eyed family.
Stasia let out another whistle as she clapped her hands. “That’s what I’m talking about, girl!”
“Oh my God,” Gwen said breathily. She then cleared her throat. “We’d better get going. Kids, make sure you behave. That means you, too, Stasia.”
“Bitch, please, I’m an absolute angel.”
Choruses of snorts erupted.
“Oh, shove it, you guys.” She rolled her eyes and smiled. “Though, I better get going myself.”
I cocked a brow. “I didn’t see another car out front.”
“That’s because my car wasn’t on the approved list.” She rolled her eyes. “So, your little buddy Torment had to come get me and drop me off here.”
Little buddy?
I pulled out my phone and sent a text to him as I said, “Right. I’ll get him to come get you.”
“No! It’s okay. I’ll walk.”
I looked up at her as my phone chimed. “Too late. He’ll be here soon.”
With a humph, she crossed her arms over her chest, and sarcastically bit out, “Yay.”
Gwen dropped my hand and walked over to her friend. “Just kick him if he annoys you.”
That I would pay to see.
They embraced and spoke quietly to each other. Gwen nodded and winked, then kissed her family farewell.
At the door, Amelia called, “Have fun.”
“I’ll try,” she replied with a cheeky grin up at me.
At the restaurant, I strode around my car to open the passenger door for Gwen. When I reached my hand out, she laced her fingers with mine and climbed out. Warmth spread through my body at how easily she accepted my touch—without hesitation or fear.
Like this was meant to be.
I leaned down and placed a kiss on her temple. “Let’s eat.”
“Are you sure this dress is fancy enough for this place?” she asked, her wide, worried gaze flicking over the exterior of the building.
Turning her to face me, I cupped her cheek. “No matter what you wear, you’ll always hold my interest.”
Her gaze warmed, but she sighed. “You can’t say things like that.”
“Why?” I demanded.
“Because it makes me want to know if you’re on the menu?” she blurted. Her face flamed, and she gaped up at me like she couldn’t believe the words she’d let slip.
I smirked. “We can arrange that for dessert, doll.”
Her breath hitched softly before she cleared her throat and said, “We’d better get to dinner, then, dreamboat.”
With a chuckle, I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers in a quick kiss. If I lingered, we wouldn’t get inside at all, and I was really looking forward to dessert.
That was if she wanted that in the end.
It would be all up to her.
With an arm around her waist, I guided us over to the door, opened it, and walked toward the hostess desk.
The blonde working the front looked up and spotted us. She lit up with a flirtatious smile that made my skin itch with irritation, and I tightened my jaw.
Not only was her attention entirely on me, but she blatantly ignored Gwen’s presence.
The woman leaned farther over the desk, pushing up her breasts. “Good evening, sir. How can I help you?”
Just as I was about to tell her I wasn’t interested, Gwen jumped in. “Yes, hello there. We have a reservation under the name Malice. Thank you.”
Her sweetly sarcastic tone sent my blood rushing to my cock. When she wrapped her hands around my arm, just above my elbow, and rested against me in a blatant display of ownership, I wanted to bend her over and fuck her right there and then.
Instead, I gave the hostess a blank, cold stare, and she finally tore her eyes away from me to acknowledge Gwen’s presence. The woman pushed back her shoulders and with a fake, thin smile, said, “Of course. This way, please.”
Gwen followed while I placed a hand against her lower back and caught her slight shiver. Leaning over her shoulder, I told her, “It’s hot when you get possessive over me, baby.”
As her cheeks pinked, she glanced back. “Shush, you. I did no such thing.”
Chuckling, I straightened and took in the room around us.
The hostess stopped at a table in the far back. “Here’s your table. Your server will be with you shortly.” And with that, she was gone.
I pulled Gwen’s chair out, and she smiled up at me like I’d hung the moon. Obviously, no one in her past had treated her the way she should’ve been.
But it was probably best not to think about anyone she’d been with, or my mood would plummet—and I really wanted to enjoy our first date together.
Moving to my seat, I took the chance to watch her observing the people around us.
She glowed under the warm lights, looking perfect. I could watch her forever. Maybe I should invest in cameras for inside her house. Then I could keep my eyes on her whenever I pleased.
“Where’s Reaper?” she suddenly asked, placing the napkin on her lap.
“Reaper?”
“Well, I presume Torment’s busy taking Stasia home now, so Reaper will be guarding you, right? Or Vincent?”
Smart girl.
“Does it bother you that there’ll always be people watching?” I asked.
Instantly, she shook her head. “No. I mean, as long as it’s only in public, because I know they’re doing it to keep you safe.”
My lips twitched. “Don’t stress, doll. They won’t be watching later.” I winked, and she licked her lips and looked away to blow out a breath. “And you’re correct. Reaper and Vincent are here.” I tipped my head toward a table on the other side.
Gwen looked over, and I could tell when she spotted them from her wild wave. My brother laughed and waved back, while Reaper offered a chin lift, attempting to hide his amused smirk.
Once she faced me again, I continued, “And I have a number of guards stationed around outside.” I paused briefly before adding, “We’ll be safe here.”
“I’m not worried. I trust you, Malice.”
“Maxwell.”
Her gaze flared before she spluttered, “What?”
“I want you to call me by my legal name.”
“W-Why?”
“Because, baby.” I reached out and took her hand in mine over the table. “You’re it for me.”
She darted a look left, right, and back to me. “You can’t be sure of that. This is our first date.” She said it like she thought I’d lost my mind.
I had.
With her.
“Why are you panicking?” I asked.
She leaned into the table and squeezed my hand. “I like you a heck of a lot, Malice—”
“Maxwell.”
She let out a meep—something she appeared to do a lot around me.
It was cute as fuck. “M-Maxwell, but what you said sounds like you think we’re a sure thing, and you haven’t even seen me in the mornings or smelled my bad breath or witnessed when I get in the zone on the computers.
We need time to make sure this will stick. ”
Did she honestly think I wouldn’t want her after seeing all those things?
I would.
I already knew it.
But I’d allow her time before I placed my ring on her finger.
“Okay, baby. How about we order?”
She nodded and picked up the menu.
I fucking loved how she stood up to anyone to protect her family and had the balls to stand at my side—but freaked out at the thought there might be something I wouldn’t like about her.
I doubted I could find anything.
Except when she didn’t take care of herself. But I’d be there for her now.
I’d make sure she was taken care of in every fucking way.
We ordered and talked, and after the food arrived, I learned more about her. The main was that she’d been the caregiver to her siblings since she was nineteen. No wonder she saw them as her children.
Would she want more, though?
The thought of her carrying our child made pride swell in my chest, my shoulders wanting to square at the image of her belly round with our baby.
But we needed a lot of practice before that happened.
Gwen lowered her fork. “Are you sure you want me to call you Maxwell?”
“Yes.”
“Max?”
I smiled. “Even that.”
“What about when we’re around people?”
“Maxwell or Max.”
“Around people?” she checked.
Smirking, I told her, “No matter who’s around, you can call me whatever you want.”
“Even douche canoe?” She grinned.
Chuckling, I shook my head. “Not that.”
“Okay…, Max.”
Christ. Hearing it from her was like a shot of Viagra straight to my dick.
But before I could let her know how much I loved it, Reaper arrived at our table.
Gwen smiled at him. “Hey, Reaper.”
He grunted. “Gwen.”
She looked beyond him and asked, “Where’d Vincent go?”
“He’s gone to the club.” He met my gaze. “Sorry, boss, but we have a situation.”
Of fucking course.
Rolling my neck, I cracked it as irritation buzzed through me that our date was being cut short.
Looking at Gwen, I told her, “I’m sorry, but I’ll have to go.”
Reaper wouldn’t have interrupted us if it were something someone else could handle.
Gwen shrugged. “It’s fine, Max. When duty calls, I understand. Let’s go.”
“I could have some men take you home,” I suggested.
She shook her head. “No. I’d like to go with you. That way we have some more time together.”
She was completely perfect.
I’d have to send Blaze a gift basket for putting Gwen in my path, or else we never would’ve met.
I stood, then walked around to help Gwen from her seat and kissed her firmly. Pulling back, I said, “We’ll go together, then.”
Gwen smiled and wrapped her arms around my waist in a tight hug, showing me that she liked my answer.
I tossed money onto the table and took her hand in mine before we stalked out of the restaurant. Once outside near the car, I asked Reaper, “What’s the situation?”
“There’s two detectives refusing to leave the club without speaking to you first.”
Fuck.