So, why would I do that to her? Or more to the point, why the fuck would I choose to be likehim?
 
 “Reno was crazy protective…” she continues. “But he let me go out with my friends. He understood how important it was to me.”
 
 I turn to face her, noticing her eager eyes roam all over me, momentarily lingering on my dick. By the not-so-subtle lick of her lips I can tell she’s fascinated by it, but I think she likes it better when I’m slamming it into her.
 
 I cross my arms over my chest and mentally count out the days until she’s one hundred percent protected from pregnancy.
 
 For the day I’m able to pump her pretty cunt so full of my cum it spills out for hours after.
 
 By my calculation, it would be next Saturday, so I guess a girly night at her friend's house could work. It’s one less night I’d have to resist her.
 
 Another close sexual encounter wouldn’t be wise, even if sliding into her without a condom was unparalleled. Better than any high I’ve ever known and any woman I’ve ever had.
 
 Something tells me the next time it happens, my cast iron self-restraint won’t be worth shit. And right now, it’s dangling by a thread.
 
 She covers herself in a blanket and lifts her feet onto the couch when my fists clench. Covering up won’t change the fact she’s bare assed beneath it. After what we just did, this mutating attraction still hasn’t left me, and it’s messing with my head.
 
 Despite that, I’m not ready to return to my side of the house. Not yet.
 
 India sighs. I can’t tell if she’s accepting my refusal before I’ve even responded. “It’s not like I’m going to stay at her house every weekend. What’s the worst that could happen?”
 
 I laugh darkly. “You’re living with a Souza. I’d never allow the worst to happen.”
 
 “It happened to Reno. No amount of ammunition or hitmen could have stopped that bomb going off.”
 
 “Listen to me. If anyone comes for you, I’d eliminate their family tree before sunrise.”
 
 The girly smile on her pretty face slays me. She’s not put off by my deadly threat. In fact, when she nibbles the inside of her cheek, I’d go as far as saying she wholeheartedly appreciates it.
 
 “You’re so trigger-happy, Gio.” She smirks.
 
 “Don’t forget it, baby. I’d blow up the fucking sun and spread darkness over the world if anyone hurt you. I was born to rule the night. My demons thrive in the shadows.”
 
 India’s brows pop up. “So, you’re my evil hero?”
 
 Her eyes are shining now, the shade of blue so enchanting it reminds me of the sea lapping the softest white sand, luring me to a sunny shore.
 
 I should put distance between us before I drown.
 
 “You’d need to be in trouble again for me to save you. Which is why you’re not going anywhere other than school.”
 
 “I need a life, Gio.”
 
 And I need a fucking drink. I walk to the other side of the room, fetch a bottle of whiskey and two glass tumblers. Filling one half full, I pour the smallest amount in the second.
 
 “What do you know about Ana’s parents?” I ask, returning to the heat of the fire and setting the lesser filled glass on the antique coffee table before her.
 
 “Not every family is involved in criminal activity.” Her voice is soft, yet unexpectedly seductive. “Ana’s father is an architect and property developer. Her mother comes from money.”
 
 “Everyone has a streak of evil in their bones. People like Julio Vargas would smile at you one second and knife you in the back the next.” I remind her.
 
 “You’ve already done your research.”
 
 I laugh a little. “Of course, I have. What did you expect?”
 
 India falls silent. I glance down at the golden strands pouring over narrow shoulders like rays of sunlight and think about fisting the messy lengths to help me drive my dick deep into her throat.
 
 My mouth waters. How the hell did this obsession get so out of control?