Page 3 of Her Guardian
I hear it lock behind me.
Massimo is sitting behind his desk. He looks stressed. He’s a handsome man, but right now, he’s got a scowl on his face that makes him look like he could shoot daggers out of his icy blue eyes.
“I’m busy, I told…” he begins, then he stops when he raises his head and sees me. “Sarah? What are you doing here?”
“Massimo, I know you just became the head of the family,” I say apprehensively. “But I really need to cash in my personal favor.”
“Now?” Massimo growls, standing up from his desk and leveling a harsh gaze at me. “Now isn’t the time, Sarah.”
“I know, b-but…” I stammer, watching as Massimo walks to the door and tries to yank it open. It doesn’t budge. “Damn it, did Lea lock this door? Fuck!”
Massimo stomps to his desk and opens the top drawer. He’s going for his key. As soon as he gets the door open, he’ll throw me out, and it may be a while before I can get an audience with him again.
“Massimo, listen!” I say hurriedly. “I know I can’t talk about your family on my podcast, but what if I don’t say who it is? Just anonymous stories! It doesn’t have to be anything recent. It can be older stuff, as long as it’s original.”
Massimo seems to be ignoring me. He walks to the door with the key in his hand, but pauses and turns back around with an even bigger scowl on his face.
“That’s what you want to use your favor for?” he says incredulously. “Stories?”
“I know I could use it for a lot more, but I was born to be a true crime podcaster!” I groan. “Just like you were born to be the head of… a Mafia crime family. I’ll be careful, Massimo. I know where the line is. I won’t cross it.”
Massimo unlocks the door, glares at me, and yanks it open. I’m going to get thrown out. Hopefully, it’ll be a gentle thrown out.
“Follow me,” Massimo snaps, then motions with his hand.
I nervously step out of his office and glance at Lea, who looks worried. I’m sure she was just kidding about the spanking. Nobody gets a spanking these days, especially from their husband. And she’s pregnant. No way he’s going to spank his pregnant wife.
Massimo leads me down the hallway I walked down earlier, takes a right, and we walk through a set of double doors. After venturing down a hallway with flickering lights, I start fearing for my life, but remind myself that Massimo likes me. He’s not going to murder me when he owes me a personal favor—I hope.
“Wait right here,” Massimo orders, then he walks into a room. “Big Boyd! Need to talk. I have a new assignment for you.”
I nervously peek into the room. There are several Mafia guys inside. Big Boyd is hard to miss. He’s a giant of a man who appears to be in his mid-thirties, sitting in the corner with a cigarette hanging from his lips. His muscular chest heaves, and he exhales smoke as he puts his cigarette out and stands up.
“Yeah, boss?” Boyd says in a thick voice that’s almost like gravel. “What do you need?”
I don’t know much about Big Boyd. The only time I’ve interacted with him is when he said hello to me at Lea and Massimo’s wedding. He used to be a bodyguard for Massimo’s sister-in-law before she turned traitor and tried to kill Massimo, along with both of his brothers—one of whom was her husband. The giant talking to Massimo wasn’t part of the coup.
Big Boyd is hot as hell with broad, burly shoulders, a stout jaw with a dark beard longer than the hair on his head, and emerald-gold eyes. I’ve always had a thing for bigger guys, even if they’re older than me, but I’m not here for that. I’m on a mission. If Massimo is going to leave me with Big Boyd so I can get some juicy content for my podcast, I’ll keep things totally professional.
I will not fall for some Mafia guy like Lea did. I’m smarter than that. I’ll admit I’m a bit of a Mafia fangirl, but I prefer them in prison, rather than walking the streets. Except when I need them, I guess.
Massimo and Big Boyd lower their voices, so I can’t hear what they’re saying. Big Boyd doesn’t look happy with the conversation. He shoots a glare at me, and I get trapped in his emerald-gold stare for a moment before retreating around the corner.
A rush of excitement shoots through me, but I try to shake it off.
Totally professional.
I can do this.
CHAPTER 2
Boyd
I listen to the boss, getting angrier by the second, but I do my best to keep my expression neutral. I’ve always liked Massimo. He’s fair, like his father, and treats me with respect. Most of the time. Right now, it sounds like I’m being punished.
“You want me to look after some fucking brat?” I grumble. “I have to babysit her?”
“She’s my wife’s best friend,” Massimo sighs. “And we owe hersomething. If she wants to cash in her personal favor for this, then tradition says I have to honor it. Within reason.”
