Page 21 of Mafia Handbook

“Who are you talking to?” Gretchen demanded in a whispered shout. She wasn't naive enough to believe Sebastian was a one-woman man, but if what she suspected was true, and there was a woman on the other end of the line, she was going to plant a seed of doubt in the faceless woman’s mind.

Milena glancedin her rear-view mirror, the sight of the car following her through yet another turn almost as cringing as the sound of the woman’s voice. “I’m so sorry, Bash. I’ve clearly called you at a bad time.”

Keeping his eyes trained on the security cameras, “Nonsense, sweetheart. I want you to call me.”

Bash didn’t need to look to Gretchen to know if his words hit their intended target, the muffled asshole from under her breath was sufficient.

“Now, listen carefully, I need to get you somewhere safe until I can figure out who the bastard is chasing you.” And beat the living shot out of him, Bash added inside his head. “I’m going to give you a series of directions, and I need you to follow them. Can you do that?”

Glancing to a sleeping Oakley, Milena reached over, running her knuckle over her sister’s warm cheek. “I can do anything you ask, Bash, as long as you keep my family safe.”

* * *

Bash stood barefootin the center of his driveway as he waited for Milena to pull in. He’d grown frustrated with the city's camera system when he couldn't zoom in on the license plate of the sedan following her. Deciding his attention was best served getting her safely to his house, he’d sent a message to Wizard, asking him to do his magic and find out the owner of the mystery car.

Milena sighed in relief the moment she saw Bash standing like a sentry. Despite the fact the car following her failed to take the exit off the highway as she had, Bash insisted she keep coming to his house.

Bash didn’t wait for the car to come to a complete stop before he jerked the door open, dipping his massive body inside the small space and locking eyes with Milena. “You okay, beautiful?”

Milena felt her muscles relax as she took in Bash’s masculine scent, and felt the genuine concern wrapped about his gentle words.

“I am, thanks.” She tried not to read anything into his terms of endearment, reminding herself of the woman’s voice she’d heard over the phone. “I owe your girlfriend an apology for calling so late.”

Bash didn't have to look behind him to know Gretchen was standing with her arms crossed and a pissed off look on her face. His not-so-subtle hints hadn’t deterred her, and it was time to have a serious conversation. While he enjoyed the hell out of the sex they’d had, he found her clinginess unattractive and desperate; two complete turn-offs for him.

“She’ll get over it, let’s get you two in the house”

Rounding the front of the car, Bash pulled Gretchen close, “It’s time for you to leave.”

Shifting her gaze to the doe-eyed girl stepping from the car, Gretchen couldn't believe she’d been jealous of such a pathetic creature. Still, she wasn't oblivious to how protective Sebastian was. “Fine, but you owe me a rain check. One I have every intention of collecting.”

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