Chapter 7 Gaven #2
“I won’t let anything happen to her.” The words were as much a warning as they were a declaration.
“If anyone tries to harm her—to try and take my pawn from me…” I twisted and jerked her arm, spinning until Jackie’s back was to my chest. She yelped as I pulled upward, straining the muscles of her arms as I pressed her thumb to her spine.
“They will regret it.” Her chest pumped up and down as she breathed harshly. “Are we clear?”
A moment passed and then another. Jackie tipped her head back and looked at me. Surprisingly, there wasn’t fear in her gaze but more interest. “I would never think of hurting my sister, Mr. Belmonte.”
Lie. “Answer me,” I commanded.
After another moment, and with a deep breath, she nodded. “Of course, Mr. Belmonte, all clear,” she said, stepping back.
I released her abruptly and took my own step back, straightening my suitcoat with a scowl. Her perfume was tingling in my nostrils, too sweet to be attractive. “Good.” I turned, not giving her time to respond as I walked away, leaving her standing in front of the Price Mansion. Alone.
The breeze was warm as it whipped around me.
Neither Raff nor I had spoken yet, willing to peruse the streets for a while.
My gaze was focused on Angel as she scanned the different stalls with a curious gaze and soft frown.
As she walked, her hips swayed back and forth.
Her round ass was molded by a skirt that swished around her thighs—thighs that I very much wanted to get between even then.
Unlike her sister, I found her movements to be naturally enticing.
Jacquelina tried hard to be the seductress, but Angel was tempting without the effort.
Her brows were knitted together in thought, almost as if she were contemplating each item for sale, but her attention continued to dart back to me.
Good, I smirked, I should be what’s on her mind.
“So,” Raff started, cutting off my train of thought, “you seem to be quite content with your choice.” He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.
“Not sure what gave you that impression,” I stated, knowing full well that I wasn’t hiding my staring.
He burst out laughing, his left hand pressed into his stomach as if that could contain the loud chortling.
“Yeah, you're about as obvious as a brightly painted wall in a funeral home,” he challenged.
“I am quite glad to see that she will have someone to protect her.” His words were so quiet that no one but me could hear him.
“What makes you say that?” I asked, already knowing the answer. It was apparent when I first laid eyes on her, but hearing it from her father was different. More personal.
“Angel is not like others in our family or those we do business with. She's soft and caring, and I know that that kind of innocence can get ripped away by the wrong people.”
“Does that include from her own sister?” I inquired. Her earlier attempt at seduction was still seared in my mind, my anger still simmering from her games. Raff sighed softly, rubbing a hand on his jaw.
“Jacquelina is … well-versed in what this family is and what we do. She’s always been ambitious and she doesn’t quite understand why Evangeline tries to distance herself.
Though to be fair, I believe I may have made the mistake of letting my youngest live as sheltered as she has in her own bubble.
Not only from the brashness of her sister but for her own safety as well.
It was too difficult after losing my wife to bring our Angel into such a …
violent lifestyle. She was pure and unhindered from the dangers of our enemies, but I think it was more my own selfishness to keep her that way. ”
“Is that why you chose me?” I asked, a sliver of anger building in my veins at the thought of someone putting their hands on my Angel.
“One of the reasons, yes. But I also know that you wouldn’t hurt her. Not like a lot of other men,” he clarified when I cocked a brow at him.
There were sick thoughts that had popped into my head when I was first offered her; now that she was mine though, I would rather mold her willingly. To have her crave my cock like I already craved her sweet pussy.
“You know, speaking of being the head of the family,” I started, tucking the thoughts about Angel away.
For now. “I did hear some gossip from two of your guards when I was leaving the estate earlier.” I gave him a run-down of what had happened, recapping what I had heard.
“As I’m sure you can guess, I would rather not risk any possible threats to our deal.
” Raff’s lips had thinned the longer I talked, his friendly demeanor vanishing.
As soon as I finished explaining, he leaned over, whispering to his bodyguard low enough that I couldn't hear him.
“With a family like this, there are always enemies,” he offered after he was done speaking to one of the three bodyguards. The bulky man turned to make a call. “And while I trust my men implicitly, you might be correct in the transfer of power rattling some cages.”
“Better to be safe than sorry, I can imagine.”
“Don’t worry, it will be taken care of,” Raff told me firmly.
I nodded and glanced around once more, eyeing Angel’s delicate profile as she stared at an advertisement.
“So, what exactly are we doing here, Raff?” I questioned after a long pause.
Not that the summer shops and farmer’s market weren’t a pleasant place to spend an afternoon, but I had yet to figure out our purpose in coming here.
“I figured it would be good for Angel to get out. And for the two of you to spend time together while still giving us some privacy to discuss the wedding and all of those pesky little details.”
“Is that it?” I prodded, knowing there was more.
Raff chuckled, smirking at me. “You’ve always been observant. I’m glad to see that hasn’t withered over the years,” he joked before sobering. “I also wanted to discuss what to expect when the ceremony is over. For when you take my place.”
I didn't say anything, mulling over his words. Wedding was still such a foreign concept to me, but the longer I thought about it, the more open to the decision I was.
“I'm assuming that I will be taking over as soon as the wedding is complete?”
Raff sighed before nodding. “As much as I love my family and what I do, I would rather transition everything over before it's too late.” I looked at him, noting the deep-set lines around his eyes and mouth.
Raff was growing older, one of the oldest mafia bosses in the United States, and I could only imagine what would happen if his family was left without a successor.
“Yeah, I can understand that, although I'm still a little shocked that you would pick me,” I admitted. We’d known each other for many years, but I had never truly considered us that close.
I was a good pick for Angel, but one thing I’d learned from him long ago was that Raffaello Price always had several motives for why he did what he did.
Before I could ask, however, his phone started to ring.
Holding up a finger, he dug his cell out of his pocket and stepped away.
Giving him some privacy, I sought out Angel in the crowd.
My soon-to-be bride. My fiancée. Youthful.
Innocent. Just one look at her and I already wanted to corrupt her. It was intoxicating.