Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
PAXTON
The last thing I want to do is go to a party on the other side of the country, but I might not have much of an option.
A new last-minute invite is in my inbox.
I have my docks locked up tight, but politics can change things, and on the West Coast, it’s all politics.
I was sure Governor Welch was a shoo-in for reelection, but now Archie Guldner is making a play for his spot.
Archie has been on my radar, but he’s on the younger side for a governor, so I was betting on him waiting a bit longer before he let it be known that he might be throwing his hat into the next election.
The Marinos might be on to something. They have a problem with a person, they snuff them out. It makes things a lot easier. They do run a cleaner shop compared to most families, but if backed into a corner, they’ll handle it no matter what has to be done.
I have never fully worked like that. A lot of what I do on the West Coast has to stay less bloody.
I prefer it that way, but I have to say, watching Naomi last night could easily sway that.
She was adorable in the alley. Not that I’d ever tell her that.
Especially when she still had that knife in her hand.
I smile, standing up from the desk in my hotel suite, making my way over to the room service cart.
I grab one of the peaches I’d requested, bringing it to my nose, and I inhale.
The smell is taking me right back to last night when Naomi was close enough for me to breathe in her sweet scent.
I have never been taken with a person the way I am with her.
Obsessed is a better way of describing it.
She fascinates me in a way that used to be maddening. Like a puzzle I can’t solve in my own mind, but then I let myself fall into the madness of it all. I don’t want to fight it, not when I could put that energy into having her. There is no other choice.
There are many things in this world that come and go. Some things are far rarer than others. I’ve found that those who hold the strongest claim to the rarest of items in the world are rich in a different way than wealth.
Naomi is unique. I knew that from the moment I laid eyes on her. I never understood the fight and desire for pieces of art or relics. Or why people would risk so much to have them. I didn’t need to know why; I just understood I could use that against them to get what I wanted.
Then Naomi snapped that understanding right into place. She is one of a kind. The beautiful deadly flower is close to blooming, and I want to be there to watch. To be the keeper of her garden. To nourish her and grow with her for the rest of our lives.
She is priceless. I can’t merely buy her. Not if I want to be able to have her in every way. I need to earn her respect first, then her trust and eventually her love.
I believe Naomi doesn’t even realize how capable of loving and being loved by someone she is. She’s put herself in a box for far too long. I want to open it and let Pandora out.
I bite into the peach, savoring the taste. My phone goes off with an unknown number. I only let it get half a ring out before I answer it.
“Paxton.” I can’t help but smile at the flatness in her tone.
“Morning, Sunshine. How are you feeling?”
“That is not why I called.”
“I would still like to know. Last night was rather eventful.”
“I don’t know what you speak of.”
“Of course not; your secrets are always safe with me.” She has no idea how true this is.
“That, only time will tell. As of right now, I’m not so sure. I have spoken to my father, and there will be no dinner this evening.”
I set my peach down to brace my hand on the table, my mind shuffling through the possibilities of what will come out of her mouth next. That’s the thing, though—part of why she fascinates me so. She’s not as predictable as everyone else.
Sure, I don’t always get my predictions correct when I zero in on a person. There are outside factors that can dispute that prediction that are uncontrollable. But nine times out of ten, I nail them. If I don’t, I shuffle and recalibrate.
“You need more intel on me?” There is a slight pause, and I know I got it this time.
“There are matters I need to attend to.”
“If that’s what you need to do, Naomi. I can wait; the outcome will be the same in the end.”
“Don’t be cocky.”
“I’m not trying to be. Just being honest with you.”
“I’m stealing these,” I hear in the background, knowing it’s Mac. They both ended up back at War’s house last night. “Shit, you’re on the phone. My bad.”
“It’s fine,” Naomi tells her.
“Tell her I said good morning.”
“No,” she snips at me. I have to bite back a laugh.
“You’re the only Marino I want, Sunshine.”
“It doesn’t matter what you want.”
“Are you sure about that?” I think it matters a whole lot.
“Why do you keep calling me Sunshine?” She asks a question of her own. I don’t call her on it. There is no need.
“That’s how I see you.” Naomi is quiet for a long moment.
“What’s he saying?” Mac whispers loudly. “Put that shit on speaker; I’m nosy.” I hear slight smacking sounds, and I picture the two of them slapping at each other’s hands.
“You can put it on speaker. I have nothing to hide.”
“You only need to speak to me.”
“Right.” I’ll take that as her being jealous. I smile, taking a seat back at my desk. This conversation isn’t going anywhere, but I’m going to enjoy it nonetheless and draw it out as long as I can. Any time I get to spend with her is precious. Soon it will be forever, which is the ultimate goal.
“As I was saying, I have a few things that must be handled.”
“I told you I’d handle the body.” I know it’s long gone by now.
“Ahh, that’s sweet,” Mac says in the background. I hear a whoosh followed by a playful laugh from Mac. They’re in Naomi’s bedroom, and I’d bet she threw a pillow at her cousin.
“Will both of you allow me to speak?” We both grow quiet, and Naomi continues. “After I oversee a few things, I will have my father call you and set up dinner.”
“I’d rather you call me.”
“He’s the one who will arrange this.”
“If you say so.”
“That is the way of things.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck if War is okay with this marriage or not.”
“What?” The question comes out fast, in surprise.
“I asked him so that I could get a meeting. It was my foot in the door to you. I will ask your father to marry you out of respect for your traditions, but his answer changes nothing to me. I only care about yours.”
She’s quiet for a long second. “I like this answer.” I can see her in my mind doing that sharp nod downward with her chin in approval. “I will be in contact soon.” The line goes dead.
I send a message to Arturo, knowing my girl is about to be on the move… and I’m not wrong.