CHAPTER TEN
THE BODYGUARD SUITE
BIANCA
L ate Sunday morning, I woke up in Catch’s arms. My fake boyfriend just made our relationship real after that incident that occurred with Jake. Let’s be frank, Callum, which was what I liked to call him in my mind, got jealous and killed Jake. Catch was off his fucking rocker. Who the fuck did I agree to be with behind closed doors? A mobster, that was who. I had no idea he was in the mafia. When he said his number one skill was murder, I should’ve known he was a mobster. Not to mention his charismatic charm was fucking infectious. I couldn’t let his charm blind me. Nor could I let him murder anyone else on my behalf. So I had to bite the bullet and be his girlfriend in public, too.
I had to admit the way Catch protected my best friends, and I was a complete turn on. He was tearing down the prison bars that surrounded my heart.
God, I wasn’t sure why I tried to protect my heart from him. He made it very clear I belonged to him. We were in an arranged relationship. Which meant we were together forever.
This was crazy. He didn’t even live in Chicago. We couldn’t be a real couple.
He brought my fingers to his lips. “Where are you?” His eyes combed my face.
“Just thinking about how I can get away from you.”
“Baby, you’re lying to yourself. You don’t want to be away from me.”
“He’s pretty full of himself, Bianca,” Asia laughed.
Simone slapped Asia’s hand. “Our girl’s in for a wild ride.”
They didn’t know the half of it.
“Are all of you guys overbearing?” Asia asked.
“That’s a trait I think most Italian men have. Once they find the woman they plan to spend the rest of their lives with they become very possessive.”
“Most is the key word,” Simone grunted.
What was she going on about?
The doors slid open. Romeo and Rémy stood in the middle of the hall, loading their weapons. We were really on high alert.
“Guys, we have a unique suite. They’re adjoining rooms. Ezra said the sofa sleeper in my room will work for him. You guys can take the other room.”
“Sounds good.” Rémy’s eyes landed on Asia.
Romeo’s tongue slicked over his lower lip as he stared at my friend, too. What the hell was going on with these men?
Catch tugged my hand. We strolled down the hallway toward the double doors. I noticed only Simone was with us. Asia stood locked in a stare down with Rémy.
“Simone, there are two full bathrooms and one-half bath in each suite. Make yourself comfortable,” Catch stated.
She didn’t waste any time plopping onto the sofa. She grabbed the remote control for the oversized TV hanging on the wall.
Catch walked into the bedroom and closed the door behind us. He dropped his duffel on the floor. His eyes roved my body before bringing me into his arms.
“Bianca, take a bath and relax. I already spoke to your mother.”
Eyes wide, I stepped back. “About what?”
“Missing family dinner this evening.”
“What did she say?” I asked.
“She said she understood you and I are on a little work trip for my business. She said she looks forward to next time.”
My mouth dropped open. “You lied to my mother?”
“About the out-of-town part, yes. But we are handling business to keep your best friend safe.”
I nodded. “Yeah. True.”
Catch removed my laptop bag from my shoulder and placed it on the desk. “I’ll run your bath. Get undressed.”
“So fucking pushy,” I muttered.
“I heard that,” he yelled from the bathroom.
“Good,” I stated, pulling an elastic band from my pocket. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun.
After discarding most of my clothes, I strolled into the bathroom.
The sleeves of his stark white dress shirt were rolled above his elbows. Catch sat on the side of the tub. He moved his hand through the water. Thick purple bubbles formed before my eyes on top of the piping hot water. Where did he get my shower gel from?
“Smells devine.” I smiled.
“Yup, devine like you. My favorite scent.” Catch pulled me close and pressed his lips against my nipple through my white cotton bra.
“Did you plan to see me last night wearing a bra and panties that didn’t match?”
“Catch, I had no plans to see you last night. Remember I was busy.”
His jaw twitched.
Oh, he didn’t like that answer.
He turned my body, facing away from him. Catch peeked under the waistband of my underwear for something, then removed my bra.
“34 C,” he whispered, my bra size.
I glared over my shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“Getting the sizes for your bra and panties. The only way you’ll wear a bra and panties that don’t match is if the designer meant for it to be that way. Although, I’d rather you not buy the designers garments. I’ll place an order for new lingerie. They’ll be delivered in a couple of hours. If you want to hang out with Simone before they arrive wear one of my t-shirts and a pair of my boxers under the bathrobe.” He pointed to the hook on the back of the door.
The white thick robe looked comfy.
“Take off your panties,” he ordered as he turned off the water.
The suite was massive. This was a place for the super rich.
“Catch, how can you afford this? Does your boss pay you a lot of money?”
He held my hand high, helping me into the water.
“Ah,” I yelped.
Pain radiated my skin. I leaned over and turned on the cold water. “Catch, you’re going to burn my skin off.”
“Sorry. I like the water extremely hot.” He pushed the cold water toward my legs. I stepped forward, welcoming the cool water.
“Bianca, don’t repeat what I’m about to say to anyone. I was waiting for Cliff to tell Tori. He’ll tell her tonight or tomorrow. He has to.”
Slowly, I lowered into the sudsy water. “Ok.”
Catch turned off the faucet. “My cousin’s real name is Ritchie Toscana. My full name is Callum Arden Rizzo Jr. My mother’s name is Laurena Rizzo. She is the daughter of Romolo Pitucco. He was an alleged mafia boss many years ago. Now my other cousin Nicky is in control. My mother married a made man Callum Arden Rizzo Sr,” he said through bared teeth.
He absent-mindedly ran the loofah over my skin.
It made sense now why he didn’t like his real name. He and his father shared the same name. It appeared Catch didn’t like him.
“I’m rich. And so is Ritchie. His mother Izzy was my mother’s sister. She passed away ten years ago.”
I gasped. “I’m sorry for your loss, Catch.”
“Thank you, Bianca.”
“You’re welcome,” I whispered. My fingers swept across his sandy, blond stubbled jaw.
“I spend my money. Ritchie doesn’t, really.” He shrugged.
My brows shot up. “Wait, so you were driving a different truck when you picked me up the other day?”
“Yeah, it’s a deal my father’s family made with an ambitious family many years ago. They have dealerships all over the United States. I can borrow a new car or truck from any dealer they own. If I wreck it, I buy it.”
“Why would they agree to such a deal?” I asked.
“My father’s family’s known for brokering deals. Or should I say making people's dreams come true...at a cost. If the person reneges on the deal, they take a long walk. After examples were made out of a few people, not many tried stealing from the Rizzos again.”
“Why don’t you get along with your father?” I blurted out.
His hand swept over the side of my face lovingly. “One day we’ll discuss it.”
Must’ve been pretty deep if he couldn’t discuss it now.
“Ok,” I stated.
I touched his arm. “I’d tell you not to buy things for me, but something tells me you enjoy spending money. But Catch, I don’t want your money.”
He smirked. “Trust me. I know you don’t. But it’s yours now, anyway.”
My brows lowered. “Catch,” I warned.
“Do you think I wouldn’t give the world to my future wife?”
“Catch, I’m just your fake girlfriend.”
His eyes darkened. “Enough. That ship has sailed. I don’t like men thinking you’re single. Fuck that. The fake shit is over,” he roared.
“Bianca, you’re my woman.” He was damn near foaming at the mouth.
I didn’t flinch when he yelled. It was clear he’d never harm me. I knew my words would upset him, but my theory had to be tested. That Jake shit turned our relationship from private to public.
I leaned over and kissed his lips. “Fine, I’m yours in private and in public.”
I was just afraid of what that meant for my situation with GT.
“Your decision to get on board has saved the lives of many men.” He smiled.
“Not the ones from the club, though,” he muttered.
It was a little flattering he’d kill for me. But I’d rather he’d kill men who weren’t sex driven idiots. He could kill the bad guys in my honor. Not GT though. He’s mine.
“Catch, you promised.” I frowned.
“Had any of them ever touched your ass before last night?”
Oh, fuck. Bianca, keep a subtle smirk on your lips.
“Do you need to meet with the guys?” I smiled sweeter at him.
He gripped my chin as a devilish smirk curled his lips. “When the time comes, you will tell me exactly how many times they touched your ass and pussy.”
My heart slammed against my ribcage. “Catch. What are you talking about?”
“I’m a bodyguard, Bianca. My job is to detect lies. Baby, don’t bullshit me.”
I tried snatching my face from his grip. “You’re a fucking psychopath.”
“I’m your psychopath.” He inched closer, sweeping his tongue across my lower lip.
“Catch,” I breathed. My skin felt like it was on fire under his touch and that smoldering gorgeous gaze.
“It’s ok, Bianca. I know you like me just the way I am.”
I curled my arms around his neck. “Oh, Catch.”
“Baby, you do things to me no other woman could.”
He was mine. This wasn’t reality, right?
I pulled back. “Shit, I got you wet.”
“I’ll live. The hug was worth it.” His vulnerable gray eyes held mine.
Was he falling in love with me? No. It was too soon.
“Oh, I forgot...” Catch muttered, breaking our intense gaze.
He removed his phone from his pocket. “You ladies need clothes. What size shoes, jeans, blouses, and dresses do you wear? Later, text your friends’ sizes to me.”
I snatched the phone from his grip. “I’ll add a note of all of our sizes.”
The girls and I had known each other forever. We’ve worn each other’s clothes too.
“I have to work right now. After dinner, I plan to be so deep in that pussy it’s not fucking funny.”
My legs slammed together. “Callum.”
His eyes widened. “I told you, don’t call me that.”
“Then we aren’t fucking later. I’m not sure what’s going on between you and your father. I love your name. You claim to care about me. You’ll enjoy hearing your real name, Callum, fall from my lips later. I won’t do it all the time. But if I’m your forever woman, I plan to call you Callum sometimes.”
He rolled his eyes, grabbed my chin, and took my lips. “Only you can say shit like that and get away with it. My forever woman. Damn, I can’t wait until you move to Jersey.”
My heart plummeted to my feet. “Callum,” I warned.
He chuckled. “In due time, baby.”
Catch collected my bra and panties off the floor.
“Leave them, Catch. I’ll clean up my mess.”
He grinned over his shoulder. “These are garbage now.”
Leaning my head against the cold porcelain tub, I sighed. “Of course they are.”
***P***
I strolled into the living room and came to a complete halt.
My mouth dropped open. “What the fuck?” I whispered.
Ezra was stretched out on the plush sofa bed, his chiseled form adorned in a snug wife beater and dark slacks, devoid of any socks. Soft snores escaped his lips. His strong arm gracefully rested over a woman wrapped in a white, plush robe. It was only as my bare feet glided silently across the room that I grasped the shocking truth. A gasp escaped my lips, capturing the realization of who lay beside Ezra. It was my best friend.
The weight of the moment hit me as I murmured her name, barely a whisper escaping my lips, "Simone."
Her eyes popped open.
“What’s going on here?” I asked.
“Simone,” Ezra muttered in his sleep.
What the fuck? He didn’t know her. Did he?
Arms crossing my chest, I gestured my head toward the door.
She slowly removed his arm.
“Don’t go,” he pleaded in his sleep.
“I’ll be right back. I have to go to the bathroom,” she whispered.
That seemed to pacify him because he didn’t move.
I followed her into the powder room and closed the door behind me.
“Simone, I think I get it. All the hot guys floating around are hard to resist, huh?”
She lowered the toilet seat, sat down, pulling her legs into her chest.
“My situation is a little different. I never thought I’d see him again.” She bit her cuticles.
I pushed her hand away from her mouth. Something each of the girls had done to help her break the nasty habit.
“How do you know him?” I asked.
“I’ll sit down and tell you girls everything. Just pretend I never told you. You know how Tori and Asia hate being left out.”
That was true.
“Fine. I’m listening.”
“I was out one night at a club with Tyra. That was where I met Ezra. He was on leave from the Navy. We spent one week together. It was everything and more. It was supposed to be a week of fun. We promised each other we wouldn’t catch feelings for each other.”
She jammed the edges of her palms into her eyes. “Easier said than done. Do you see how beautiful he is?”
“Yes,” I mumbled.
My friend was in pain. I felt terrible for her.
“I fell so hard for him, Bianca. At the end of the week, he returned to military duty.” She dropped her foot to the floor and her knee bounced.
“Now he’s here. Those feelings I pushed down came back. He was my first,” she cried.
I dropped to my knees and pulled her into my arms. “Oh, Simone. I’m so sorry you’re going through this. You know the girls and I are here for you.”
She nodded before pulling back and grabbing tissue.
“He’s Tori’s bodyguard.How will you manage around him?” I asked.
“I don’t know. Right now, I just want him to hold me. Tomorrow, I’ll try to lock those feelings in the vault again.” She blew her nose.
“What’s going on with you and Catch?” she asked.
“He’s my man.” I stood to my feet.
She chuckled. “That’s obvious.”
I laughed too. “Well, he wants me to move to New Jersey.”
Her smile withered. “We’re supposed to stay together.”
“Simone, I know. Somehow, we will,” I stated.
“Get back out there.” I waved to the door.
“Wait, where is Asia?” I asked.
“I don’t know.” Simone shrugged. “She never came into the room.”
“Ok, I’ll check next door.”
That fucking Rémy.
These bodyguards had stepped into our lives and consumed us.