Page 85 of Cocky Jerk

That’s why I drove to her house as soon as I left the station and sat outside all night. She wouldn’t answer my calls, but I couldn’t leave her to herself. I could give her space, but if one of Tank’s enemies got wind of what was going on, they might see her as a target, and no one was going to touch her on my watch. She was mine now whether she knew it or not and I take care of what’s mine.

Cash showed a little after eight in the morning and briefed me a little on how things work in the Corrupt Hellraiser’s world. Since it didn’t look like Antonia was going to talk to me anytime soon, I left Cash at the house. I don’t know if he got through to her, though.

I don’t know anything.

She’s still not answering my calls or even Soraya’s calls.

She didn’t show up for work, but I didn’t expect her to.

And when I drove by her house, it was pitch dark. There was no sign of any of the Corrupt Hellraisers either. I’m giving her until eight o’clock to come to her senses. If she doesn’t call me back or at least text me, I’m going to search all of fucking New York until I find her. I’m going to throw her over my shoulder and handcuff her to my bed. One way or another, the girl is going to hear me out and after I tell her the entire truth, I’m going to tell her she’s stuck with me.

If she doesn’t like it, too bad.

She shouldn’t have made me go and fall in love with her.

The doorbell rings, jarring my attention away from the digital clock I’ve been staring at for the last hour. I glance at my door and back at the clock. Look at her coming to her senses with two minutes to spare.

I jump off the couch and hurry to my door. Instead of it being Antonia on the other side, it’s Tig.

“Christ, you look like shit,” he mutters as he drinks me in.

“In case you didn’t get the memo, I’m not really in the mood for you,” I tell him.

I’m about to shut the door in his face, but he wedges his boot in the doorway and shoves the door wide open with the palm of his hand. Grabbing the front of my shirt with the other hand, he pulls me out of my apartment.

“Hey, what the fuck are you doing?”

“You think you’re the only one who’s having a rough night? I’ve had my hands full for the last two hours. Now, I’d appreciate it if you collected your belongings from the back of my truck so I can get the hell home to my wife.”

“My belongings? What the hell are you talking about?”

Not bothering with a reply, he turns and starts for the stairs. I follow him down the three flights and out the door. He walks to his truck parked at the curb and opens the backseat. Stepping to the side, he waves a hand.

“She’s all yours, pal.”

My eyes narrow as they move from him to the beauty sprawled across his backseat.

“Careful, she’s thrown up three times since we left the shop,” he adds.

Hurrying to the truck, I grit my teeth.

“What the hell did you do to her?”

“Hey, she was already three sheets to the wind when she got to the shop. I just gave her a little Tequila to get her talking. You’re welcome, by the way.”

I look back to Antonia. He wasn’t exaggerating about the throw up. She reeks and I’m pretty sure she’s got some in her hair. I gather her in my arms and lift her out of the backseat. Tig shuts the door and rushes to my apartment building. He holds the door for me and follows me upstairs. Once I’ve got her safely in my apartment, he leaves.

Unsure what to do with her, I contemplate my options. I can lay her down on my bed and let her sleep it off, but she’s a mess. A shower it is. I take three steps before she starts to stir in my arms. She slowly opens her eyes and tries to lift her head from my shoulder.

“Marco?”

“Shhh,” I whisper. “It’s okay. I’ve got you now.”

I don’t know if those words soothe her or if she’s too tired to argue, but her head drops back to my shoulder and I fight the urge to kiss her. You don’t realize how empty your arms have been until you hold your world in them.

Reaching the bathroom, I gently set her on the counter. She lifts her head and I push the hair away from her face. Cupping her cheeks, I stare at her.

“Look at me,” I coax softly.

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