Chapter Five
Miles
Earlier that afternoon…
The second he closes the door, my future father-in-law says, “You are testing your luck today, Miles.”
I chuckle because he’s more than right. I’m pushing it, and I know it more than he does.
The puppy is more for Elsa than for me. Hell, I didn’t even know what kind of one to get.
I asked the woman at the counter for her opinion.
She had thirty questions that were twenty-nine too many.
After I answered them I added that I wanted one that was good for a family as well.
She recommended a labrador and our puppy was too cute to pass up.
I had to pick one that would steal Elsa’s heart.
She loves dogs and I’d give her a dozen, but I don’t want her to be overwhelmed when we start having babies.
The thought of putting a baby in Elsa’s belly sounded so damn good to me. Sure, I’d wait, but the vision got me hard as hell. Another mark on her that she was mine. I couldn’t deny that satisfied me to no end.
We never got to discuss that kiss, and I hadn’t rectified my reaction because her father’s health was more important.
Since then, she’s done everything to create a massive chasm between us.
I’m not sure if it’s like her brother said and it was truly an emotional mistake on her part, or if she’s not sure about my feelings.
Either way, I have to win her heart. The puppy is a start.
“Yes, well, it’s been a rough day.”
“With business, or Elsa?”
“Work has been easy in comparison. I hadn’t realized how agitated I’d be worrying about her safety all day.”
“Her safety, or all the guys her age full of testosterone looking at her?” he says.
He’s so damn lucky that I respect him. “I’m just pointing out the truth.
As a man obsessed with his wife for the past twenty-five years, I assure you I understand.
Give it some time, and don’t deviate from your plan.
You’re not a man who buckles under pressure. ”
“You’re right. Thanks for the reminder.”
“Are there problems other than my defiant daughter who wants to catch criminals?” he asks.
“There are just so many more risks with all those people on campus. I’m not sure if the other families can get to her if she’s not careful. Now we’ve decided to give her a little space, and I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I’m sure she’s fine. Have you had any whispers about them over the summer?”
“No, but she’s hardly left the house and now she’s back into the world.
They are waiting for a moment of weakness, and we’ve just opened her up to an attack,” I remind him.
I’m not going to let a soul touch her. Not after her sweet lips grazed mine and if I’d been in my right mind, I would have crushed her mouth that day, but it was smart that I backed off.
I run my hands through my hair, thinking about my woman and my need to hold her. “What are we going to do about Elsa?”
“I’m not sure. She’s not…”
I raise my hand, stopping the conversation between us. Seeing that it’s the man I had on Elsa today, I know it’s extremely important. She thought it was her security that was farther back, but I had a guy that looked like a student much closer. “I have to take this call.”
Taking a deep breath, I answer as calmly as possible. After all, she was in the other room, looking rather annoyed with me, but still unharmed. “What is it?”
“Boss, there was this little fucker who was talking to your girl just as she was getting ready to leave campus.”
“What do you mean he was talking to my girl?” The words slip past my lips as if they were deadly shards. I don’t care if her father hears me because I’m about to lose it.
“He was getting a little fresh outside her last class.”
“Did you see what happened?”
“Yeah, but you told us to stay back and not do anything unless something happens. She looked really upset, but she pushed his hand away from her face.”
“He fucking touched her?” My voice bellows through the room.
“Yeah, but he didn’t hurt her.”
Another man putting his hands on Elsa sends violent thoughts straight to the forefront of my mind. All the ways I wanted to destroy this bastard danced in my head. “I didn’t ask that. He put his hands on my fucking woman.”
“Yeah, it looked like he was trying to flirt hard. They seem to have known each other.”
“Do you know who this fucker was?” He had better have the right answer for me or he was going to face my wrath first.
“At first I didn’t, but I pulled his plates. They belong to Antonio Santos.”
I cut him off because I’m sure that it couldn’t have been that old bastard. “I know that old fucker wasn’t trying to hit on my girl.”
“No. He has a son that’s about her age, so I pulled up his driver’s license and it’s him, Johnny Santos. What do you want us to do?”
“I need to have a word with that little shit. Find out where he is.” I end the call and turn to my future father-in-law. He understood the entire conversation without having to hear the other half.
“So who is this guy?”
“Johnny Santos. I got to go.” We both knew the ramifications of a negative encounter. Santos crossed a line whether he knew it or not.
“Do you need my help?” my godfather asks.
“Not unless I have a problem with the father later, but you warned these motherfuckers before. I won’t be taking this lightly. She’s mine, and if he wants to play stupid games, he can win a motherfucking stupid prize.”
“Calm down, son. You know she’s not going to like you doing this.”
“But you know I have to,” I remind him.
“You’re right, because he stepped out of line and he knows it. Just let me know if you need anything, and once you’re done, we’re going to need to talk about this whole ‘your girl’ thing since things aren’t solidified between you two,” he says with a chuckle.
I nod and leave his office. After a brief visit in the kitchen with Elsa and her mom, I say goodbye to the dog.
Quickly, I slide into my SUV with two of my security team members to go meet with the little shit who happens to not be hanging out at home where he should be.
He’s either got to be a fucking fool, or has got brass balls because he fucked up today and needs a lesson.
I find him outside a skate park, smoking and drinking like a fucking jerkoff.
“Santos, a word,” I state calmly over the din around me.
He looks up at me, and his face freezes before he catches himself and tries to act cool.
I’m sure his father would love it. I’m betting he’s unaware that he violated our understanding.
“What’s up?” he answers with more bravado than he’ll soon have. He’s surrounded by some of his goons, some little pussies and a couple chicks making him feel tougher than he really is.
“You heard me—get the fuck over here right now before we have a bigger problem.”
“Hold my beer. I have to talk to the old guy.” Yeah, that attitude is going to get him hurt really fast.
“He’s hot. He’s giving me daddy vibes,” the girl next to him utters, licking her lips. Daddy vibes? I’m twenty-four.
“Don’t bother, sugar. Rumor has it that the big, bad casino owner likes twinks.” I ignore his gay remark because I’ve heard the speculation recently, not that it matters. I’m wondering who would spread the rumors when the families at the meeting had been aware of my sentiments.
When it comes to my sexuality, the only person whose opinion I care about is Elsa’s, and she thinks I’m sleeping with the woman I am spotted with every once in a blue moon. Those were always business deals. Nothing more. Ever.
Before I was interested in her, I’d been too busy to focus on dating. It wasn’t that I hadn’t considered it, but it requires effort that I have no interest in investing energy into. Since I’ve realized my feelings for Elsa, no one else even catches my attention for a fraction of a second.
“Did you, or did you not, touch Elsa today?” I ask.
“What the fuck does it matter?” he spits back.
“I swear you’re either dumb as fuck, or you have a serious thrill issue. I’ll only ask you once more, but you’re not going to like the result. Did you touch Elsa?”
“She’s fucking fair game.” My fist lands directly on his cute face, sending him onto his ass with blood spurting everywhere.
“She isn’t to be touched. You’ve been warned. It’s the last warning you’ll get. Next time it will be something other than my fist that meets your face.”
“You fucking pussy. What did you do?” he shouts, but it comes out pretty weak since he’s holding his nose as his boys attempt to look tough. My guys reach for their pieces, but I raise my hand.
“I should cut out your tongue,” I snarl as he tries to steady himself on his elbow. I continue, “but I don’t have time for a war with your father over your pathetic life. However, cross me again, and I’ll make time.”
I don’t allow him to say another word before I walk away. My men follow after giving them a quick scare. “We’re always watching,” Kyros warns him.
I drive back to the house, pissed that my fucking knuckles are busted from hitting that fucker.
Luckily, we keep a first aid kit in the car and wrap my hand up quickly.
Maybe I should have beat his ass until he was unable to walk.
His father had been given the warning just a few months ago.
They hadn’t taken me seriously, but they found out today I mean business.