Chapter Twelve
Severin
I nod, turning my attention to the woman who currently has me in a chokehold.
“You should have never had to witness this part of my life.” I reach out and twirl a lock of hair around my finger.
I expect her to flinch away from me, but she doesn’t.
Just one more thing for me to hold on to.
The way she fucking looks at me with her big doe eyes, has me so wrapped up in her that I can barely swallow.
How can the feelings between us be this strong?
The visceral need to protect her nearly overwhelms me as I trail my finger tip down her cheek to cup her chin.
“No matter what happens, you’ll always be safe.
I will kill anyone who tries to hurt you. ”
For a moment we stand there just staring at one another in the brief silence after the storm and for a second I almost believe my promise.
Like I could somehow be in two places at once and always keep her in my sights.
The fire crackles and pops behind me but nothing could take my attention away from her beautiful eyes.
The eyes of a witch who has stolen my heart in mere days.
I am filled with demons of my own that I battle on a daily basis, but looking at her face makes me feel like I could fight anyone as long as she is by my side.
A door slams down the hall, and she jolts in my arms. “You can’t make that kind of promise and walk away.”
I step back so she can see into my face. “It’ll only be for a little while. I have to handle some shit with my father and ensure the Rizzo family situation is handled.”
“You're really leaving. Christmas Eve is tomorrow.” She frowns, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I know, Reindeer,” I say softly. “The last thing I want to do is to leave you, but it's the only way to make sure you’re safe. Your place is surrounded by my guys. They’ll keep watch.”
She tilts her head to the side. “Why do you call me Reindeer?”
I step closer pulling her to me. I lean down and brace my forehead against hers and close my eyes. “Because, Reindeers are magical creatures that bring happiness and light. You’re my happiness, Maggie. You’re my light.”
I’ve never spoken to a woman like this. But there has never been another woman like her. She is strong and bold and … fucking beautiful and if my father has a problem with her, then he is going to have to kill me to get to her.
She chuckles softly. “ To be a big mafia man, you’re kind of a romantic.”
I shake my head and cup her cheek. “Maybe, but I like who I am with you, Reindeer. And that’s enough for me.”
She wraps her arms around me and snuggles against my chest. “I don’t want you to go.”
I stroke her hair softly. “Going back is a must. I have a lot of responsibilities to deal with and unfortunately it can’t wait. But I promise I’ll be back before you know it.”
Even though we haven’t known each other for long, there’s some kind of pull between us I don’t want to ignore. I want to try with her and that has never happened in my life. It was all a good fuck and merry on my way. No strings attached. But she’s different.
“ Well I’ll miss you while you're gone. But be ready for Hallmark movies, popcorn, and pajama parties.” She laughs, pressing her hand against my chest.
I laugh and lean in brushing my lips against hers. “I’ll do all that with you but no clothes on. Also I want you to go shopping tomorrow and enjoy yourself. Matt is going with you.”
“Shopping.” Her eyebrows quirk up. “You’re worried about someone coming after me and you want me to head downtown for Christmas festivities? And I feel weird having someone follow behind me like a stalker?”
I slide on my leather jacket debating on what to say that will not make her pissy.
I need her to go out without protection just in case someone is lurking.
“Listen, I know having someone else with you that you don’t know will be weird.
But it would ease my anxiety knowing you were safe and besides, it’s Christmas, and I know you had plans to go downtown anyway.
This way, we are both happy.” I give her a wicked grin.
“Besides, Matthew is one of my best men. You’re safe with him. ”
I watch as her lips open but close quickly. She is dying to argue with me but I think she can tell how wound up I am. My shoulders are killing me from tightening them with all this chaos.
She crosses her arms rocking back and forth on her heels. But still nothing.
I just need to walk away. I get to the door grabbing the door knob but I stop. “Trust Matt, and trust me, Reindeer.” I open the door and close it hating that I just walked out like that but I got to get home and fix this shit.