Page 39 of Blood on Ice

Was he really going to agree that easily? “You aren’t going to insist on being the one who’s by my side?”

“I want to, but I’m not going to fuck up your career. You deserve a chance to be a star, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to help you get there.”

For the first time, I believed there might actually be more to his interest in me than horniness and a desire to conquer.

“So, if you have guards watching me, are you still coming to my games?”

He smiled. “Damn right I am, but I don’t have to be seen with you unless you’re in danger. I will take any action necessary to save you.”

I wasn’t going to argue with that. I couldn’t play hockey if I was dead. “Don’t you have work to do for your family? Can you really be near me all the time?”

“I’ll manage, and when I can’t be with you, I’ll leave your safety in the hands of someone I trust.” The doorbell rang. “That should be Six and Muffin. I trust them to have my back, so I trust them with you.”

Those were sure interesting names. He headed to answer the door, and I followed. “Sit down. I’ll take care of this.”

“I’m capable of introducing myself to a bodyguard.”

“These are my men, and they take orders from me.”

How did he go from making me swoon to pissing me off so fast? “That’s enough with the controlling shit.”

“You don’t know anything about control yet.”

“Vito—”

“Tell me you didn’t love what we just did?”

I refused to answer.

“That’s what I thought. Let me take care of this.”

Vito stepped out into the hall with the men for a few minutes. When he came back in, they followed. Both men were well over six feet tall, and their shoulders were as wide as the doorframe.

“Zeke, this is Six and Muffin. Six is going to stay here in your apartment whenever I can’t be here, and Muffin will man the building’s perimeter.”

I said hi, and both men nodded. I supposed they didn’t do a lot of talking in their line of work. Having the two of them standing in my living room made it feel half its usual size. How was I going to get used to having intimidating strangers around all the time?

Vito sent Muffin back outside and Six began inspecting the apartment to see how secure it was. Vito pulled me to him. “I’ve got to leave. I need to go talk to my family since we’re going to need their help to take care of Benito.”

“When are you coming back?”

“As soon as I can. It’ll probably be late, but I’ll try to hurry. Believe me, I don’t want to leave you at all.”

I stared at him trying to comprehend. “You’re saying you’re going to come back and stay here?”

“That’s right. I’ll send Six outside, and I’ll be here to guard you.”

I frowned. I couldn’t be hearing him right. “You’re moving in with me?”

“You need a bodyguard twenty-four seven.”

“I thought that’s what Six was for.”

“I don’t want another man in your apartment all night.”

“Vito, this is too much. You’ve been following me, spying on me. You forced your way up here today.”

He held up a hand. “You invited me.”

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