Page 520 of One More Kiss

“Of course,” I replied. My anger had receded, and I knew I would do anything for her—including walking away from my life. “But Avery, honey, I need you to tell me what is going on. You’re white as a sheet and you’re trembling.”

She glanced back to the house and shook her head. “Later. I’ll tell you everything later.”

I put the car into park and took her hand in mine. My worry skyrocketed when I felt her icy cold hands. The thought of not letting her out of the car and driving away with her crossed my mind, but I couldn’t take on her father alone and I knew how much she loved her dad.

She tugged her hand free. “Tonight.”

She opened the door and exited the jeep.

I clenched my jaw as I watched her flee into the house. It took everything in me not to go search for Joe and beat him to a pulp until he told me what the fuck he had done to my girl.

Instead, I followed behind her into the house and went straight to her father’s office.

“Paolo, is everything okay?”

What a fucking loaded question.

“Did you pull Arlo and Justin off Avery’s security?”

His brows knitted together. “No, why? What the hell is going on?”

“When were returned home, they were on guard duty, but Avery wasn’t home. I spoke to them, and they told me you had pulled them from the job of staying with Avery.”

His face grew red as his anger rose. “I’ll kill them.”

That was enough of an answer for me.

“Whoever is being this is being sloppy,” I said. “We’re close to uncovering the mole.”

He pointed a finger at me. “You watch over my girl.”

I nodded. He didn’t even have to ask. She was my girl, and I would do whatever the fuck I needed to do to keep her safe.

* * *

It was almostmidnight when I was able to escape the last minute meeting with Vincenzo and Marco. Vincenzo wanted me to protect Avery, but he also didn’t want me near her.

I made my way up the stairs towards my room. The majority of men had left for home, leaving only a handful here. Most of them guarded the perimeter of the house. Vincenzo was on the other side of the house in his own wing, and Marco had gone home.

As soon as I reach the landing, Avery’s bedroom door opened. She was still pale from earlier.

I wanted to know what that asshole Joe needed with her.

“Hey,” she whispered.

I closed the distance between us and pulled her into my arms. The month I had denied myself of touching her only made me want her more.

She rested her head against my chest as I held her tight. “Avery, honey, tell me what happened?”

She pulled in a shuddering breath. “I showed up just as always. Lena was a little late, but I was talking to Aaron—"

“Aaron?” I asked, unable to hide the jealousy that reared its ugly head.

“Yes, Aaron. He got engaged and we were talking about the wedding. He and Stevie are planning a Christmas wedding. While we were talking, Lena showed up with her friend. I had no idea who he was.”

I wondered how that was possible. The others had told me Joe had been in the organization for years. “You hadn’t met him?”

“No, I don’t usually get close to the men. Only a few months ago, Dad started to allow a few in the main house. Before you showed up, I didn’t even talk much to the others.”

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