Chapter 19
LORENZO
“You’re not going on that date,” I say as we walk into her apartment.
She slips her heels off, then her earrings, and removes the tie from her hair. It’s routine. So is her fucking scowl that is begging to be punished.
“You still seem not to understand that you don’t get to tell me what to do.” Lily’s been particularly hardheaded since we had dinner at her family’s estate. Something about overstepping boundaries, but I don’t give a fuck about any of that when it comes to keeping her safe.
“I don’t have time for your games tonight.” I follow her to the bottom of the stairs. She’s making a good show of ignoring me lately, but when she does speak to me, it’s rapid fire until she eventually slams a door in my face. Her hips sway from side to side as she walks up to her bedroom.
“We’re done with this discussion, and don’t you dare follow me. My room is off-limits,” she reminds me.
She even put a lock on her bedroom door this week, following our disagreement over her "personal space" after I replaced a few of her things with listening devices.
I didn't tell her there are more than the ones she found, even when she asked me.
I will lie, cheat, and get my hands dirty to keep her safe.
It will also only take me a matter of seconds to break into her room, but I'll let her believe the lock will keep me out if it makes her feel better.
“I’m serious, Lily,” I call after her.
She flips me off over her shoulder, and my eyebrows shoot up in surprise.
Definitely brattier this week. Women are hard work.
It’s like stepping on land mine after land mine, yet I find myself still catering to her.
Making sure she’s eaten for the day, has her iced tea, and is attentive to her daily clothing choices.
I was even aware of when she changed her perfume for one day, for fuck's sake.
I slip into the guest room, peeling off my suit jacket and unbuttoning my shirt. I place my gun on the end of the bed, then pull my phone out of my pocket and make a call.
My mood sours the moment Dmitri Volkov's voice comes through the speaker.
“Never thought I’d receive a call from you personally. You’re either in deep shit or have decided to pull the pole out of your ass to have some fun,” the asshole has the balls to greet me with.
“It’s shocking that God gave you a second chance in this life,” I reply.
“Let’s not pretend either of us prays to a particular god. Need I remind you that you called me?”
I make a habit of searching my room to make sure nothing has been shifted or seems out of the ordinary.
It’s a modern, beautiful apartment, but it never feels right, not that I’ve used the bed much.
Instead choosing to stay in the living room where I have the easiest access to her, taking only a few hours of sleep when necessary.
“Vince Taylor. What do you know about him?” I ask. I’ve seen the two engaged in discussions before. There’s something off about Lily's brother, but I can’t place it, and digging into their affairs is taking longer than I’d like.
Dmitri lets out a low whistle. “Why? Trying to win over the new brother-in-law?”
“Do you still like your pretty face?” I bite back.
Dmitri chuckles again, and I can hear shuffling in the background.
“You know I’ll always be indebted to you and Luca for protecting Elanee.
Vince is a party boy. Or was. Of course, we circulated in similar crowds, but since he took over a few of his father’s businesses in London, he doesn’t come back to New York often, or at least I haven’t seen him for a while. ”
“Well, he’s back in town now.” I undo my belt as I look out at the bustling city beneath me. I don’t like being in the middle of everything like this. It’s too busy and noisy for my personal preference.
“What are you hoping to get from this phone call?” Dmitri asks diplomatically.
“Can you organize a meeting with him tonight? Something… organic, perhaps?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem. What if I organically invite both of you to my club? However, this time when you show up, don’t point a gun at my head.”
“Then don’t be a dickhead.”
“No can do. It’s all part of my charm." His tone grows more serious when he says, "Is this about Lily? You know, Elanee gave me a word of warning that if you were to hurt her, she’d be extremely pissed. She’s her friend now, so with my own personal agenda of keeping my woman happy, I warn you not to do anything underhanded. ”
I hang up the phone. The last person I need advice from is Dmitri, especially considering he most likely has suspicions already about our involvement with Lily in the first place.
I don’t entirely understand Lily’s friendship circle, but they’re all protective of each other, almost as much as I am when it comes to Luca.
The difference being, of course, that I doubt they’re willing to die for one another’s secrets.
Then again, as I’m learning, a woman’s wrath is definitely something to be feared.
I send through a text to one of the hounds.
Luca won’t be thrilled that I used one of them, but I need someone here in my stead while I personally handle matters elsewhere.
If I’m slipping out for the night, I need to make sure Lily is still protected.
I’m certain there’s something about Vince that might give me insight into their father’s business.
Often, his type becomes looser with their tongue, and shares what they consider bragging rights, after a couple of good rounds of whiskey.
I strip down to nothing, then turn on the shower at an ice-cold temperature.
I’m not comfortable with leaving Lily’s side, but remind myself that the mission comes first. I'm here for her protection, yes, but I'm also tasked with unraveling the inner workings of her father's business. If Luca makes a profit from it, he won’t care as much if I use one of the hounds as a resource in the process.
It's unnerving that we aren’t any closer to figuring out who was behind the attack in Italy. Top of the suspect list is still the Bratva, but we have no evidence yet.
It’s definitely part of the reason Dmitri is willing to help, considering we were in that mess because of him. I never understood why he was willing to go so far for his woman, in the same way that Luca obeys and alters plans, all because of what Ara demands.
I notice the small shift within myself. Lily is bad for me in so many ways.
I’m no longer focused on her presence because it’s my job, even when I try to convince myself that’s the reason.
There’s an underlying need to know what she’s doing and thinking, which goes beyond my mission.
Even the thought of being away from her for a few hours tonight has me uneasy.
Especially if she discovers I’m digging into her family affairs for my boss's gain.
I embrace the frosty spray of water, doing everything I can to cool my temperament. Being around Lily is testing my patience in a way I didn’t think it would.
My shoulders bunch as I hunch against the wall tiles, looking down at my straining cock. And that vulgar mouth of hers does things to my cock that it shouldn’t. I remind myself that in a matter of weeks, I’ll be back by Luca's and Ara’s sides, and it’ll be as if this time never existed.
Don’t get involved.
It’s been the same brutal reminder circling in my head since the moment I was tasked with this role, and I’m doing a terrible fucking job at it.
Lily’s scream splits the air, and a cold weight of dread sinks in my stomach. I’m running for the door, grabbing my gun with a speed I’ve never known, and praying to whatever God might listen that I make it in time.