Chapter 29 #2
“Ah, yes. You can tell me you’re a bad man, and when you’re not with me, you’re running drugs, or cleaning money, or whatever the hell it is that you do.
And in the process, men die, because they’re stupid and disloyal and make poor choices.
But if it’s all the same to you, I’d rather just work my amazing bartending job, cook in this stellar kitchen, and be with you whenever I can have you. Just please be careful.”
I get the idea that Rome would rather I be forthright about what I want here.
This is so new, and maybe I’m a new shiny toy to someone like him and will be discarded despite his words of adoration.
But the anger I saw tear through him at what my father has done?
I can’t deny that was gratifying. I know Rome’s also a violent man, and I can hope he’s a man of his word, and truly someone I can trust.
I’ve never known a man I can trust.
This is his home, his world, and therefore his rules, but I hope he’ll respect mine while I’m here.
“I have two rules, Rome: don’t ever raise a hand to me and if you’re going to fuck other women, be discreet. Those are the deal breakers for me.”
He circles back around to me, and his hands frame my face.
“You’re with me, and that puts you in danger. There’s nothing I can do about that. I wouldn’t leave this life if I could, and I can’t.”
“I know that.”
“But you’re always safe with me. There are reasons it’s important to me that you’re safe.
No one will ever raise a hand to you in anger.
Unless death comes knocking on our door, I’m happy to shield you from ever seeing blood being drawn again.
I just need to know that if anything were to ever happen, you could protect yourself if I couldn’t get to you. ”
“I can shoot, and I know some basic hand-to-hand, although not much. I have a good aim when stomping on an instep or kneeing someone in the balls.”
His eyebrows climb.
“My father’s men got a little too friendly.”
“Jesus.”
“I’m not a delicate flower.” I grin and boost up on my toes, intending to kiss him, but I’m still not tall enough, and my hands are still covered in sticky pasta dough. “Hey, come down here.”
“Not yet. That second statement about fucking around on you? That’s not going to happen. I don’t want anyone else, and when I’m committed, I’m fucking committed.”
“It’s been days, Rome.” I shake my head, but he holds me firm. “Seriously, it’s been such a short time. This might not work out between us.”
“It doesn’t matter how long it’s been. I know. There will be no one else for either of us ever again.”
I let out a shaky breath before he presses his lips to mine twice and pulls away.
“You’re unbelievable, Eloise.”
“No, I’m not.” I turn back to my dough. “I’m just a product of what I survived.”
“Unbelievable.” He drags his hand down my ponytail and kisses my temple. “I have some work in my office.”
“Okay.” I smile at him as he leaves the room. Once the dough is ready to go, I wash my hands again and text Scarlett.
Me: I’m making a huge dinner! Wanna come over to eat and hang this evening?
The dots dance on the screen as I open the fridge and pull out a bottle of water, uncap it, and take a long sip.
Scarlett: Did you talk to Mr. Alexander?
I smirk and reply.
Me: Yes, and he’s totally cool.
Scarlett: Then hell yes! Can I head your way now so we can hang while you cook?
Me: Get your sexy ass over here.
Scarlett: Be there in about 30.
By the time Scarlett texts to let me know she’s downstairs, I have the pasta ready to go in a boiling pot and the brownies in the oven.
I open the front door and smile at the guard there.
“Hey, my friend Scarlett is downstairs. Would you please bring her up?”
“Sure thing,” he says, and I close the door.
I pad over to the office and see Rome typing away on his keyboard.
“Come here, firefly,” he says without looking up at me.
Following orders, I walk behind the desk, and the next thing I know, I’m in his lap, and he’s kissing me like his life depends on it.
My God, this man can kiss.
He’s a master at it. His lips are soft yet demanding. His tongue is just right, exploring my mouth without trying to choke me out.
When I come up for air, I say, “What was that for?”
“Been wanting to do that since I woke up in that bed alone,” he says, drifting his knuckles down my cheek.
“The next time I’m too wordy, just shut me up and kiss me.”
“No way.” He rubs his nose against mine. “I like it when you talk to me, baby.”
Good because I can’t stop telling him everything.
“Scarlett’s on her way up,” I inform him. “I was just letting you know.”
He checks the time, then pats my ass and helps me to my feet. “I need to get ready for work. My men will be here shortly.”
“It’s a good thing I made so much food.”
“You don’t need to feed everyone, Eloise.”
“Need to? No. Want to? Yes. Are you going to tell me I can’t?” I set my hands on my hips and grin while he growls low in his throat and shoves his hands through his hair.
“It seems I can’t say no to you for much. But I don’t want them getting used to it. I’m not sharing you with the whole fucking building.”
I laugh and rub my hand up his chest. “Of course not.”
The doorbell chimes, and I pad through the door of the office, but suddenly, Rome is at my side.
“You check the security cameras,” he says, showing me the screen next to the door. “Always, even when you’re expecting someone. And you better only have women up here. My men will be instructed to shoot any men on sight.”
“That’s … crazy. Besides, it’s just Scarlett.”
“This is when I put my foot down. You will always check, Eloise. Do you hear me?”
“Okay, I hear you. How do I do that?”
He shows me which buttons to push, and a picture of the hallway comes up. Sure enough, there’s the guard from earlier along with Scarlett.
“See?”
“Never open this door without this step. I’m deadly serious.”
There’s no humor in his face.
“I promise, Rome.”
He nods once, then opens the door. Scarlett’s ready with a big smile, but it dims a bit when she sees Rome. I can tell she’s full of nerves.
“Oh, hi, Mr. Alexander.”
“Welcome,” he says, gesturing for her to come inside. “I hope you two have a good evening. I’ve booked out the spa for both of you tonight, starting at eight.”
We both stare at him in shock.
“You did?” Damn, the man is swoony.
“Yes. Enjoy it. Get pampered.” He kisses me on the head, nods at Scarlett, then goes upstairs.
“Holy shit,” she whispers to me. “One, I’ve never seen him dressed like that. And two, he kissed you in front of me.”
I bite my lip, grinning.
“And three, he’s treating us to the spa!”
I laugh and take her hand, leading her into the kitchen.
“Best night ever,” I tell her, offering her some bruschetta. “Here, eat this to start, and tell me what you think.”
“Oh God, it smells so good in here. Do I smell brownies?”
“They’re in the oven for dessert.”
“What else are you making? Show me everything.”
I take ten minutes to show her the sauce, the pasta, the breads, and all the things I’ve been sweating over this afternoon.
“Okay, really. Eat this and tell me if it’s good.”
She takes a bite of her appetizer and closes her eyes. “Marry me. Leave the hot, rich guy and marry me, Lu.”
“I heard that,” Rome says, walking into the room while finishing with his tie. He drapes his jacket over the back of a stool and picks up some bruschetta of his own.
“You’ll understand when you take a bite of that,” Scarlett assures him, not sorry in the least. She looks so adorable in her skinny jeans and a slouchy black sweatshirt that shows off one shoulder.
Her bra is lacy and blue, and her hair is in a high pony, off her clean face. There’s no makeup in sight.
I think she’s gorgeous.
Rome takes a bite, and his eyes fly to mine. “Wow.”
“Okay, you guys are just inflating my ego.” I get to work dishing up three helpings of the pasta and pass them around. This sauce is my specialty. “Here you go.”
“We can’t go to the spa,” Scarlett says around a mouthful of pasta, shaking her head. “We have to spend the night at the gym because I’m eating all of this. Oh God. Are you a chef or something?”
“I took culinary classes.” I shrug and look at Rome, who’s staring at me while he chews. “And I had a great housekeeper and cook at home growing up. Oh, and I made homemade vanilla ice cream to go with the brownies.”
Rome’s eyes narrow.
“What’s wrong?”
“Absolutely nothing.”
I tip my head to the side, but before I can ask him anything, Luke comes through the door, followed by Julian, Mateo, and Carson, along with who I assume are their seconds-in-command.
The penthouse is suddenly filled with huge, scary, dangerous, and beautiful men, all armed to the gills.
“Holy shit,” Luke says, taking in the spread.
“Grab plates,” I tell them all. “There’s plenty here.”
I rattle off what everything is, and no one has to be told twice. Rome looks irritated.
“Don’t get used to this,” he grumbles. “She’s not doing this for you assholes all the time.”
“Wow, pretty bartender,” Carson says with a wink. “You did this for me?”
“Not for you,” Rome counters, and I laugh.
“I did this,” I confirm.
I realize that Scarlett has gone quiet, and when I look over, I find her and Luke eyeing each other. The tension between them is palpable.
The attraction is absolutely not one-sided.
“Is it poisoned?” Mateo asks, eyeing the sauce.
“You’re the one who drugs people,” I counter, holding my chin up.
The others laugh, and Rome winks at me.
“Christ, I’m moving in here,” Carson says. “Leave him for me, pretty girl. I’m better in bed.”
“I will fucking end you,” Rome growls, but Carson just laughs and pats Rome on the back.
Their dynamic is fascinating. They’re obviously all good friends, joking with each other. It’s nothing like what I saw in my father’s home.
But then again, my father doesn’t like anyone. He definitely doesn’t have any friends.
I notice that Julian and Mateo continue to watch me with cool, untrusting eyes, and I can’t say I’m surprised.
Rome knew who Salvatore Rizzo was, which means these men do too.
I’m an unknown commodity here, getting close to their friend, and they definitely think the worst of me.
My father trusted no one, so I can imagine that’s a standard trait with men like these.
Yet I have a deep sense of … relief. Despite my niggling doubts, Rome means a lot to me.
I can see myself staying. Living here. With him.
In this life, no matter the risks. And these men?
They’ll protect Rome at all costs, and that’s more important than them liking me.
Hopefully, I’ll prove my loyalty … and maybe win them over through their stomachs too.
“I have brownies and ice cream,” I announce, getting up to pull everything out for dessert.
“We’re leaving,” Rome says. “No brownies for them.”
“I made a shit ton,” I counter. “Of course, you’re all going to eat it. You don’t tell an Italian woman no when it comes to food, Rome Alexander.”
The room goes dead quiet. No one lifts their forks to their mouths.
All eyes are on Rome while he stares at me.
No one speaks to him that way.
My stomach quivers a bit in apprehension. Did I take it too far? Should I be more submissive when his friends are around? I forget that he’s a boss, and his men and friends are here, and I just got sassy.
Shit, I don’t know what to do!
But Rome’s mouth twitches into a half smile, and he crosses to me and kisses my forehead.
“You heard my Italian woman. Eat her food.”
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, so only he can hear. “I didn’t mean to sass you in front of them.”
“You’re fine, firefly.” He smirks and reaches for a brownie of his own. After scooping some ice cream on top, he takes a big bite. “This is fucking good.”
When the men are done eating, they all smile and wave at me, but I know that no one would dare touch me.
And I’m okay with that.
“I’m Spider,” a big, bald man says. He has face tattoos and a piercing in his lip, but his smile is nothing but friendly. “Carson’s second. Thanks for dinner.”
“You’re welcome. Be careful tonight, guys.”
They shuffle out the front door, but Rome hangs back. When they’re all gone, he pulls me into his arms, with Scarlett our only audience, and kisses the hell out of me.
“Thank you,” he murmurs against my lips.
“You’re welcome.”
He backs away and turns to leave.
“Have a good time at the spa, ladies.”
And with that, he walks out. Scarlett stares at me in awe.
“Did that all just happen?” I ask her.
“I think so.” She swallows hard. “Um, you had all of the Kings of Vegas in this kitchen, eating dinner.”
“Yeah. They’re kind of goofy. And intimidating.” Or, you know, terrifying. Scarlett’s reaction is much more natural than mine. Am I immune to danger now? “And Luke has it bad for you, my friend.”
She blinks at me. “What? No, he doesn’t.”
“He couldn’t take his eyes off you.”
“No way. My tits aren’t even out, and I’m not wearing makeup or anything.”
“I don’t think he cares about that at all. He likes you back.”
She worries her bottom lip. “Can I have another brownie?”
With a laugh, I get us each another. “We can eat the rest of the pan.”