Page 56 of That Mafioso Magic
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to put you in that position.”
“A job is a job,” she said.
I was following her and she led me to a bad assed 1969 mustang, black and silver with black interior. It was a work or art and a wet dream at the same time. “Wow, you have excellent taste in cars,” I complimented.
“Thanks. It’s also bulletproof. Get in.” She climbed in behind the wheel and I sat in the passenger seat. The leather interior was custom and comfortable as hell. Bucket seats and all. Okay, I was a little jealous. But I was used to not having anything this nice. Didn’t mean I wasn’t a little envious of people who could afford such materialistic luxuries.
“So, I’m to take you back home to pack up, right?” Jewel asked me.
“Yeah, I have to talk to Xavier and can’t wait to change out of these clothes. Feel like I’ve been wearing them forever.”
“They also have blood on them,” Jewel said.
I looked down to see where some of Sage’s blood was on my clothes. I wanted to toss them in the trash because it was a reminder that I’d almost lost him. “Yeah, that too. Do you mind?”
“I’m at your beck and call.” She chuckled. “You must be something special for Sage to put me on your detail.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Oh, mind elaborating?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “He told me to guard you with my life. Not a command I think he’s ever given before.”
Oh, my God, had he really said that? Did Sage really care about me that much? I couldn’t help but smile. Something inside of me was beaming at the knowledge that someone so powerful and gorgeous and let’s face it, rich as Sage was interested in me. I mean, I wasn’t in his circle. He’d probably met all kind of other powerful, elite people in his lifetime. Done all sorts of things, yet he wanted me. I decided to allow myself to be flattered. My normal mode was humble, but today, I’d be flattered.
“Well, I’ll try not to put you in any danger,” I said, hoping I was making a statement I could keep.
“And I’ll make sure you don’t put yourself into danger,” she added.
Yeah, I could get used to this, having a superhuman bodyguard.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“Are you sure he’s worth all the trouble?” Shi asked me. “I mean, we don’t know what kind of spell he used on you, or if he botched it and that why you’re all different.”
I had my back to her as I looked at the beautiful city horizon from my vantage point. Having floor-to-ceiling windows in my home was something that was a must to me. I loved all the light and the view only being this high in the sky could give you.
“Are you listening to me, Sage?” Shi asked.
I sighed, then turned around to face her. “What trouble is he?”
She put the clip back into her gun with expert precision, then rose, coming over to me. She stood just three inches shorter than me. “I’m worried about you. I’ve never seen you this way about any other guy you’ve fucked. Also, you have this new thing going on with you because of Salino and that spell. How do you feel? Do you need blood? And how are you even okay about that?”
I took her by the back of her head and pulled her forward to kiss her forehead. I let her go. “I’m fine and happy to be alive, because I didn’t think I was going to make it. I could feel myself dying. Furthermore, the people I care about are alive. I feel stronger now than I ever have before. And Salino is a son of a bitch, but one I can deal with. Besides, he also saved my life, regardless of his reasons. Had I died, he could have taken that opportunity to go for my territory.”
“Because he want’s something from you and Adrian. It wasn’t out of the kindness of his heart.”
I snorted. “Nor did he say it was. Make no mistake, I’m not blinded by that fact. But, he did choose me over my territory… for now.”
Shi was still frowning a little. “I hate that we even needed him.”
“I know, but it’s done. And I get it. We don’t really know what it means that I’ve… I don’t even know if… His vampire blood is in my veins, so I need to test my powers. How much of what they are is in me? How much of what I was is still there? I need to shift to see if I still can.”
“Exactly, we need to know everything about what you are. I still think Adrian fucked up that spell.”
“Even if he did, and me being turned half vampire is the result, had he done nothing, I would be dead, Shi. That book has opened up a whole new world for us. We’re still learning. He did the best he could. I honestly believe that, and I need you to,” I said. I had no ill feelings toward Adrian for what he did and I needed my pride to feel the same. “As for how I feel about him? I know it’s real. I’ve never felt this way or connected to any other man the way I do with Adrian. I’m going to pursue this and I hope you can accept that.”
She looked away and I reached over, taking her chin and bringing her face back to me. “Adrian is a part of my life now, Shi.”
“Is that because you fucked him that time in the office when you two first met?” she asked.
