Page 52 of Tainted Blood

“Oh.”

“It’s okay. He’s still a dick sometimes.”

“He is, isn’t he?” She giggles.

“He likes you, but he has trust issues, and protecting Nora and John has been his priority. When he first met you, it bothered him. After he realized that we didn’t have a beef with your family, he was fine. You hated him, not the other way around.”

“Oh. Well, maybe I’ll be nicer. Maybe.” She winks.

All week in Vegas she follows alongside me as I work, learning the ins and outs of my security job at the hotel and casino. She meets with the others, and I try to hold back the natural jealousy I feel as each man finds her insanely beautiful.

“Are you ready to fly home, Calista?”

“Yes. I need to talk to you.”

“About what?”

“I want to go back to school.” I’ve had a feeling this was going to happen.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yes. I’ve been reminded how often I’ve left you alone, or where I’ve had to leave you with my guards. You could easily be doing what you wanted. You don’t need to be in that school or program if you don’t want to be, but if it’s the one you want, please call your friend and set things up, and when we get home, you can go from there.”

“The guards would have to be held back.”

“They would. You’d have trackers on you, and you can’t tell anyone.”

“Of course, my love.”

“I’ll do anything to make you happy as long as you’re safe, Calista,” I whisper, kissing her lips repeatedly.

“Thank you so much,” she says, throwing her arms around my neck. “When do we have to leave?”

“We have a few hours,” I say.

“Let’s make the most of our time,” she says, and we do. I have her screaming my name over and over again.

Chapter Nineteen

Calista

Ian’s out with his brother working on some mafia shit. He kissed me roughly before he left this morning with a goodbye warning, “Be a good girl and be fucking careful. You’re everything to me, minx.”

“Same to you, Ian. I almost lost you once.” I dragged my lips against his delaying his departure and earning an eyeroll from Jack.

“I’m always coming home to you,” he whispered against my lips, kissing me deeply before leaving. I close my eyes and relive that kiss before getting ready for my day.

After he left, I spent the morning on a video call with my mother, planning the wedding. We scheduled it for next week. We are having it in New York in our family’s usual Cathedral where they attend services. Everything has been prepared, and invitations have been sent out. The reception will be held at my father’s country club where Ian proposed. Claudia, Nora, and I are picking out my wedding dress and their bridesmaid dresses tomorrow.

My phone rang, and it’s Maggie. “Dudette, it’s me. Are you ready?”

“Yes, I am.” I ended the call and then buzzed at the front gate, letting her in. She drives up to our home per my directions, and I meet her out front of the house.

“Holy shit, you live like a damn queen.”

“Um…thanks.” I forget that most people are shocked by it. I lived pretty much like this with my father. Even my home with my grandparents was a mansion. I come from wealth, even though I work extremely hard.

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