Page 10 of Fall
That’s the part he doesn’t seem to understand.
I'm trying to protect them both because the boss sees everything. Nothing escapeshim. He's already pulled me aside once to ask if I have any concerns about Vinny, on whether I think he's up for the task of protecting his most cherished person in the world. I wasn't lying when I told the boss that Vinny's damn good at his job and will put his life on the line to keep Natalia safe. But I'd be lying if I don't admit I have some doubts.
It only takes a split second fora little mistake to turn into a shitstorm. When you’re providing protection, people get hurt when you’re not on top of your game. And when the wrong people get hurt, heads will roll. Romano has seen it firsthand. I do too. And the fact that the boss is raising any questions at all about him tells me it might already be too late for Vinny. There are no second chances in this business. That’s the messageVinny needs to get into his thick skull.
I lower my window for a second and adjust the rear facing mirror on my side. I can’t take chances. If anything happens to my boss’s mom and kid while I’m in the vehicle, it’s on me. I’ll be damned if I let anything catch me off guard. Not on my watch. Then I notice the traffic up ahead. It’s eleven in the morning. I’ve taken this route out of NewYork to get home many times before. It’s usually much quieter than this by now.
“Hey, are you seeing that roadblock up ahead?” I ask him, if for no other reason than to curb the incessant babbling as he and Natalia do more of their catching up. I turn to him and notice his eyes narrow as he squints to check it out.
“Yeah, that’s strange,” he answers. “I’ll take this side street comingup to get around it.”
“No. Stop here and put on your four-way hazard lights. Let the car behind us pass, and turn around when it’s clear.”
“But that street up ahead—” he starts.
“Shut up and do what I say,” I order him in a growl, my tone sharp. “Now.”
“Okay, boss.” He follows my instruction to a tee, without another word.
My gaze flicks toward him, and my eyeslock with Natalia's through the rearview mirror on the front windscreen. The way she stares at me with those big, brown intense eyes throws me off my game momentarily. She's always had this way of looking at me, of seeing the real me, like there's no one else in this world who matters to her more than me. But her intense stare is different at the moment. I can't tell whether or not she approvesof how I spoke to Vinny, and I'm not in any position to ask her what she's trying to say to me. Plus right now, out here on the open roads where we're exposed and potentially vulnerable to an attack, it's not my job to be nice or shield anyone from feeling bad. I'm here to make sure she and her grandmother stay alive.
I hold her gaze for a long while, and while I'm studying her reaction,her smile rises, and she gives me an approving nod.
A deep groan leaves my throat without my expecting it to, and I can’t stop myself from picturing one firm hand on her bare luscious ass and her long dark hair wrapped around my fist as I fuck her tight pussy from behind. That’s all it takes for my dick to come alive, threatening to tent the fabric of my dress slacks at the worst possibletime.
Holy fuck. This is all wrong.
Looking away, I shift in my seat and stretch my legs out, silently cursing as I will my cock to stay the fuck down.
I want this woman like I’ve never wanted anyone else before, but there’s no way in hell I’ll ever admit it.
I won’t act on it either.
Because I know better.
I just hope Vinny does too.
They're gettingtoo close, and that's dangerous for them both. By now, Vinny has to know that if he's so focused on being her friend, his attention will be divided. This is exactly what put us at odds. It was my asking the obvious. The question of how well he can protect Natalia or anyone whose detail I put him on if his eyes are glued to his phone, texting back and forth like a high school teenage girl. Hedidn't like it too much, and was quick to lash out with more attitude than a spoiled brat, telling me he knows how to do his job. Well, so far today, I'm pulling way more of the slack than I should. He should know that the street he just suggested we turn onto is practically a dead-end road with only an alleyway that trucks use to deliver goods to a few local stores. I know this because it's mybusiness to know how not to be the reason the people we protect end up cornered.
The familiar buzzing pattern of my phone draws my attention down to my pocket. Every muscle in my neck and back tenses up.
“It’s the boss,” I announce, mostly for Vinny’s benefit, to make sure he doesn’t go running his mouth off to Natalia while I’m giving Romano an update. I’m sure that’s the reasonhe’s calling.
“Hello,” I answer.
"How are they? Did you collect them from the airport already?" Romano asks, and I pick up a subtle urgency in his tone that wasn't there when we spoke earlier this morning.
“We did, boss,” I answer, getting right to the point. “They’re both fine.”
“Good. Do me a favor. Go directly to the house. If my mother or daughter want to make anystops, let them know someone will take care of whatever they need later.”
“All right. Will do. Everything okay, boss?”
“Being cautious is smart at a time like this. Double up on the protection when you go back to the house. I’ll explain when I see you. Keep my family safe, Antonio.”
“I will.” Clicking the end call button, I drag tense as fuck fingers through my hair. “Takethe second backup route home and step on it,” I tell Vinny.
“I’m on it,” he answers.
