Page 28 of Degrees of Acceptance
I try to remain passive, not wanting him to see my internal quandary with his revelation.I asked him to tell me. I wanted to know. He is not going to give me all the details. I don’t understand how I feel about it.
His eyes are intense, and it’s clear the path has already been set.
“You’re not going to tell me?
“Katarina, we’ve gone through this. I am going to do anything necessary to ensure your safety and that is not negotiable.”
“I get that, but you won’t even share it with me?”
“No, you won’t like what needs to be done.”
“How do you know? You haven’t even told me what it is that you’re doing, but already you make assumptions that I won’t understand or that I will be upset about it. Why don’t you just tell me what you’re doing?” I ask, walking over to the other side of the room to stand in front of him.
“Baby,” he says, pulling me onto his lap. “It’s a world that you know nothing about, one that I want to protect you from. The people we’re dealing with are ruthless, and I want to keep you sheltered from those things. Is that so wrong?”
“Perhaps not,” I say, noticing the deepening shadows under his eyes. “How much sleep were you able to get last night?” I ask, winding my arms around his neck.
“Not much, Baby. I’ll sleep better after tonight,” he admits. His arms fold around me possessively, and he nuzzles my hair.
“What was going on between you and your mom?” he asks.
“I told her that I want to meet my dad,” I say, this time watching his expression.
“Indeed… and when did you decide this?” he asks.
“I can’t seem to think of anything else, Chase. I mean he’s gone his entire life without knowing I exist. I am only twenty-six years old, and I see what a great relationship you have with your dad. I want a chance to get to know him, but I am scared that it may put Mom in jeopardy. You never told me how you figured out who my dad was.”
“That wasn’t hard. I knew it was Carlos as soon as you mentioned your father was head of the East Coast Crime Syndicate and that your mom had left him years ago. The Lussario name is synonymous with the Syndicate and everyone knows the story about your mom. I think that’s when he started running things a little differently.”
“It’s more than a little intimidating. What’s he like?”
“He’s well respected in New York and a man of very few words. People know what he expects and he doesn’t have to ask. Our fathers have been the best of friends since long before I was born. He’s more like family to me.”
“I wish my mom weren’t so opposed to me meeting him.”
“Give me and our teams time to develop a plan and put security precautions in place and then I will take you to meet your dad,” he says, pushing the hair out of my face.
“Are you worried about her safety, too?”
“We need to find out if her concerns are valid, but Carlos is not about to let harm come to her and I’m sure as hell not leaving yours to chance, Baby.”
I run my hands through his hair and down the side of his face. I can’t believe how much this man has come to mean to me in such a short time. Even with all the baggage that comes with him, I love him. I kiss him softly on the lips and feel his immediate response.
“I love that you are taking care of my mom and me,” I whisper.Come on… tell him you love him.Maybe it’s too soon, and he doesn’t love me.
“Baby, if you keep squirming on my lap and kissing me like that, this is only going to end one way,” he whispers. I wiggle against him purposefully, kissing him even deeper this time, teasing, and feel his growing hardness in response. I feel his hands on the ties of my sundress, remembering the first time he pulled it down in Aruba, exposing my breasts to his eyes for the first time.
“Katarina, what are you thinking about?” he asks, and I know by the twinkle in his eye that he remembers. His hands intentionally hold the ties to my dress in my full view.
“I’m thinking about the first time you pulled my dress down. I’ll never forget that, Chase. You made me feel things I had never felt before and I wanted you to take me so badly. Pull it down, Honey,” I plea.
“You need only ask once, Baby,” he says, scooping me up and taking me to bed.
We’re still wrapped in each other’s arms, spent from our lovemaking when the phone rings. “Chase, here,” he says, answering it on the first ring.
“Good to hear, Jay. No, would agree. Send the diversion and get them the hell out of there while it’s quiet. Sid can continue final negotiations from here. No, they stay under wraps until both teams are safely home. Thanks for everything and keep me posted,” he says, disconnecting.
“The uncle turned, and as a result, negotiations were accepted which means the locals probably won’t riot, but I’m not leaving anything to chance right now, given the situation. Jay will have our team go in after Sid. When they’re home, we’ll make sure the boys are returned safely,” he says by way of explanation.
