Page 12 of The Don

Ruben tightens his grip and pulls me closer into his body. He looks around the room and arches a brow. “Storm is yours.”

“Thank you, but I can’t take him.” Ruben’s head snaps to look at me. His piercing gaze tears through to my soul. “Can he just be with me while I stay at your home? Until my sister and Dominic return?” I don’t want to make Ruben angry, but giving me Storm is too generous, and I’m not worth it. “I already told Rose I’ll stay with you, but I can’t accept Storm as mine. He’s your dog and you obviously have a lot invested in his training.”

Ruben pulls his shoulders back and moves me even closer until our bodies are nearly touching. “Accepted,” he says harshly.

A massive smile tugs at my lips. “Thank you,” I whisper and look back to Storm, who’s still watching us.

“Tomorrow, I’ll teach you some of his commands so you know how to handle him.”

I can’t help myself. I throw my arms around Ruben and hug him. His warm hands find my lower back, holding me to him. This feels nice, but I have to remember, Ruben is Ruben. He’s the Sacco family boss.

The Don.

He’s a man of knowledge and power and he may be doing me the favor of allowing me to have Storm while my sister is on her honeymoon, but at some stage he’s going to ask for that favor to be returned.

And that terrifies me.

Chapter three

Ruben

“May I have this dance?” Rose asks.

“Absolutely,” I reply as I stand and lead Dominic’s new wife out to the dance floor.

“I just wanted to say thank you for all of this.”

“I take care of my family, Rose.”

She smiles and looks around the room. “I have a small favor to ask of you, Ruben.”

I scan her features and notice how nervous she is. “And what would that be?”

“I’m worried about Eliza.”

I lift my chin and intake a short, sharp breath. “Because of me?”

“Actually, no. The thing that worries me is how fragile she is. I don’t think you’d do anything to hurt her, but she’s delicate at the moment and I’m not sure how she’s going to cope without me by her side.”

“I’ll take care of her like she’s mine.” My jaw jumps at the thought that she’s not. But, she’s also quite young and has suffered much at Adrian’s hands. My darkness would destroy her light, and she’s too pure for me to even entertain that notion. “You have my word, Rose.”

“She’s the only family I have, Ruben. I can’t lose her.”

“No one will get their hands on her.”

Rose gulps and smiles. “I have another question for you,” she says in a lighter tone.

I chuckle as I move us around the dance floor. “I’d be surprised if you didn’t.”

It’s Rose’s turn to laugh. “You call Eliza, Amorina.”

“Yes,” I reply shortly.

“It means ‘little love.’”

“Yes.”

“You’re calling Eliza ‘little love’?”

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