Page 37 of Mafia Handbook

Milena remained silent, her heart hammering inside her chest. She’d expected a simple answer, my contract expired, or he did something foolish to get kicked out.

“It was pounded into me from my first day in the military, the day you stop being afraid is the day you get someone killed.” Lifting his right arm, Bash pointed at the tattoo. “I was chosen to be a member of an elite group of SEALs, best of the fucking best. When the grenade failed to explode, I knew it was time to go. When I got back to the States, I tossed my Trident on my Captain’s desk. After I explained what happened, he agreed and helped speed up the discharge process. I spent several months drifting until a friend of mine called me and offered me a job. At the time, I needed the cash, so I agreed to help him out, never thinking I would enjoy it enough to do it full time.”

Standing from her place at the island, Milena gathered her dirty dishes, placing them in the sink.Taking a deep breath, she turned on the faucet and began to fill the sink with soapy water. “I’m glad the grenade didn’t explode, and that you get to do something you love.”

Taking a step closer to her, Bash moved the faucet in his direction, taking the clean plate from Milena’s hands and rinsing it. “What about you, what did you want to be when you grew up?”

Shaking her head, “You’ll think me simple.”

Reaching over, Bash placed a wet finger under her chin, bringing her eyes to his. “I think you’re amazing, nothing you can say will change that.”

“I want to be a mom, have a family of my own and a home filled with love and laughter.”

Milena’s answer should scare the fuck out of him, but it didn’t. He could understand why she wanted this, based on the way her father mistreated her.

“I think being a mother is the most admirable and thankless job out there, and I have no doubt you will make an excellent one someday.” Moving to place a kiss on Milena’s lips, a sharp beep echoed in the room, causing her to jump.

“Sorry, Sweetness, that’s the boundary monitor alerting me someone stepped on the property.” Reaching for a towel, Bash dried his hands as he crossed the room to the opposite counter. “I should have shown this to you before, but this is my first time having someone here who isn't a teammate.”

Crossing the space, Milena watched with rapt attention as Bash tapped his finger on what she’d assumed was a television, several boxes filling up the screen.

“All the safe houses are monitored the same,” Bash began, scanning through the list of cameras until he found the one he wanted.

“How many safe houses are there?”

“Few dozen,” Bash shrugged. “Hidden much like this one in places you’d never guess.” Pinching the screen Bash expanded the view of a group of men standing near the shelter they’d slept in last night.

“Look familiar?” Bash called over his shoulder, reaching back to pull Milena between him and the counter.

Narrowing her eyes, Milena leaned forward. “Is that?” Pointing at the man in front.

“The douche bags from the truck stop.” Bash finished, placing a kiss to the skin at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. “I recognized the mud caked on their boots, and the smell of deer piss they were bathed in. When they shined those fucking red lamps outside the shelter earlier, I sent a message to Wizard, who contacted the conservation officer for this county.”

Milena wanted to ask where exactly they were, but suspected Bash wouldn't tell her. Instead, she tried to see the patch on the officer’s arm, but the photo was too pixelated.

Tapping on the screen, Bash cleared the monitor as the officers were slapping handcuffs on the assholes, shifting to a collage of cameras around the property.

“Every inch of this space is monitored.”

Slamming her eyes shut, Milena thought back to how she’d walked around the room naked after Bash closed the door, her cheeks warming in embarrassment.

“I shut off the ones in your quarters,” Bash pointed at the two black screens labeled GR-1 and GR-2.

Milena let out a measured sigh, one that didn't get passed Bash.

Wrapping an arm around her waist, Bash laid his lips against the shell of her ear. “Trust me, Darlin’, when the time comes, I’ll see your perfect flesh with my own two eyes and not the lens of a camera.”

Standing to his full height, Bash tried to shake off his desire to bend her over the counter and plunge his hard cock into her. He reminded himself not only was this relationship new, but Milena was still very much his client.

“There is a monitor like this one in every room, so if you ever need me, say in the middle of the night, you can touch this button here and it will act as an intercom.” Taking Milena’s hand, he guided her index finger to the button he spoke of, bringing one of the maintenance rooms into view and opening the speakers.

“What is this?”

“Remember when I said this place had a history?”

“Yes.”

“Well come with me, little girl, school is in session.”

---