Page 39 of Unruly Protector
CHAPTER TWELVE
A web of lies
— CATERINA —
“You.Got a dog.You?”Leandro asks Clemente while he keeps staring at my dog, who I’ve named Rocco.
My dog.I own a dog.A naked one, but I have a pet and that’s more than I could wish for.Well, before he came into my life I had more than I could wish for with Clemente becoming my husband in all ways; less asshole, more lover.
“Fredo is late,” Clemente states, ignoring Leandro.
He sits down on the couch in the living room and we all watch how Rocco dodges everyone else and jumps on the couch to sit on Clemente’s lap.Who in return sits very awkward and doesn’t so much as give Rocco a glance, let alone touch him.
We’ve been home for over an hour and Rocco has been trailing behind Clemente this whole time.And yet Clemente doesn’t pick him up, doesn’t pet him, he only talks in a gentle and sweet tone I haven’t heard from him in all the time I’ve been around him.I might just be a bit jealous because that voice is sexy as hell and I imagine him cooing at our baby one day.Okay, now my ovaries are threatening to blow up.
Leandro chuckles.“Go on, pet it.It’s a dog, it wants some hardcore petting.”
I’m about to snap about the fact that my dog is not an it, but Clemente beats me to it when he states in a calm voice, “No.This dog doesn’t want anyone to pet him.He’s comfortable enough as he is.Besides, I like the fact he doesn’t appreciate petting.Me and him get along just fine without your interference.”
And Clemente is right.When I pet Rocco his eyes bulge because there’s no fur on his head to make the sliding soft, his skin just bundles up or pulls tight.He does like it when I nuzzle his neck, give him kisses, or just hold him close.He’s most definitely a lapdog.Like now, Rocco is curled on Clemente’s lap like a cat, sleeping as if he’s lived here for years; absolutely comfortable.
The doorbell rings and Rocco shoots off Clemente’s lap and starts barking.And when Fredo strolls into the living room Rocco growls and bares his teeth.Weird since he didn’t have the same reaction to either Arturo and Leandro.Yes, those two were already sitting in Clemente’s office when we strolled in there, but still.
Maybe it’s because Fredo is louder and glaring at Rocco as if he’s going to kick him if he gets closer.Asshole.I quickly bend down to snatch Rocco up.Fredo steps closer and lifts his arm to pet Rocco, who starts to bare his teeth again.
“Step away from both my dog and my woman,” Clemente snaps.“My office.Now.”
Fredo spins around and heads for Clemente’s office, Arturo and Leandro trailing after him.
“I like you to be present, but I don’t think the dog likes it.Fredo has a temper, I don’t want him to frighten the dog.”
“The dog has a name,” I huff.
The corner of his mouth twitches.“I know.”
I shake my head and head for the corner of the living room where we placed a kennel with fluffy blankets.If he needs to sleep or take a break, he has a place just for him.Or like now, we can put him inside and close the door to make sure he’s safe and stays in place.
When we finished with the vet we stopped and bought a lot of dog supplies.Two dog beds, food, different leashes, and a truckload of bones and toys.Yes, he’s already a spoiled dog, but he looks at home instead of the frightened bundle I was holding back at the shelter.
I release a sigh of contentment and step back, regretfully tearing my eyes away from Rocco who is snuggling into the fluffy blankets.Knowing he’s due for a long nap after his eventful day, I head for Clemente’s office.
And I’ve not even so much as stepped one foot inside the room before I hear Fredo’s booming voice.“What do you mean explain yourself?There’s nothing to explain.I run a floating casino.You get your cut.What’s there to explain?”
Clemente was right, this man isn’t able to have a normal discussion.Not to mention he’s rude when he points a finger at me and by the look on his face it’s clear he’s about to say something about a woman being present during a meeting between the head of the Famiglia and a capo.But he swallows his words and lets his hand drop when Clemente raises his arm to beacon me to him.
I walk straight toward Clemente and take a stand behind his chair, placing my palm on his shoulder and slightly sliding it down to rest on his pecs.Screw Fredo.That’s the statement both Clemente and I are making.
“We’re very much aware of the activities you’re involved in besides the floating casino, Fredo.Now, as I said, cut the fucking bullshit and start talking.Otherwise I’ll gladly throw your body on top of Daniel’ before we hunt down Dustin and throw that fucker in the mix too.And we won’t stop until we’ve killed every damn idiot involved who thinks they can run illegal gambling parties while snorting coke and fucking paid pussy in my damn state.”
