“Didn’t you say you needed a ride?”
Surprise fills me.
“Yeah, but you said you were busy. Angelo’s going to take me instead. I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”
I pick up the bitterness in my voice as I say the words, but I can’t stop myself. It hurt when he said no earlier.
You’re becoming a clingy girlfriend, and you aren’t even his girlfriend.
The thought crosses my mind, and I grit my teeth to stop from lashing out.
“I was busy, but my schedule has become clear. Let’s go.”
“You don’t have to. Really.”
He grabs my face and looks me straight in the eye before leaning in and giving me a chaste kiss before speaking again. “Go grab your purse and get your ass in my car. Now.”
There’s no denying the demanding tone he used. I can feel my panties become damp from his tone alone. If he was any other man, I would have punched him, but it’s Lo, and only he can cause this type of reaction from me. There’s something about him. It makes me want to please him. Makes me want to do what he says and see his eyes flare with desire.
I turn around and grab my purse and a jacket before stepping outside to lock the door. Lo grabs my coat and holds it out for me, and I give him a small smile as he helps me into it.
“Get in the car. I’ll lock the door.”
He pulls his keys out and turns the lock. I hurry toward his car on the street. I give Angelo a small smile and wave. He nods in response, as usual.
Once in the Escalade, I buckle myself in and watch as Lo walks up to the vehicle, his eyes taking in the street around us.
The way his shoulders fill out his suit reminds me of what he looks like without it. It’s obvious he works out. He’s buff, but not in a way that’s too much. He’s just perfect. I wonder how he keeps his body in such good shape with everything he has on his plate.
My mind flashes to him on another woman, and I growl.
He isn’t yours. Stop thinking that he is.
I watch as he slides in and turns on the car. He turns the heat up before looking at me. “Are you warm enough?”
I note a bit of concern in his eyes before he replaces it with the indifferent mask he often wears. It’s one I hate. When he wears it, I can never tell what he’s thinking, and he wears it all the damn time.
“Yep. Thank you.”
He nods as he takes off from the curb. “Girls’ night with Sofia tonight?”
I shake my head, but realize he can’t see me as he drives, so I clear my throat and respond. “No. Bash requested my presence. I don’t know what it’s about. Sofia wouldn’t tell me.” I was hoping Lo knew what this dinner is really about.
My hands start to shake as I remember some of the anger I’ve seen from Bash. He’s deadly when he’s angry. I can’t seem to think of anything I could’ve done to make him mad. I also can’t imagine Sofia letting him hurt me, but her hold over him only goes so far when it comes to business. I jump as I feel something grab my hand, and I look down to see Lo take my hand and bring it to his lips.
“I’m sure it’s nothing bad. Bash won’t hurt you.” He threads his fingers with mine as he places our hands on the center console.
“You can’t be sure of that, Lo. You know better than I do what Bash is capable of.”
He growls before he speaks. “I’ll keep you safe,mio piccolo angelo. Never doubt it.”
I roll my eyes. He’s a soldier as much as any of the others. Just because his rank is higher doesn’t mean he won’t follow orders once they’re given. Lo takes his job more seriously than anyone else in the organization. Sofia’s made the same comment herself. While I like the thought that Lo would save me, I know if Bash ordered it, he would put the bullet through my head himself.
“There is only so much you can do, Lo. It’s okay. I know my place in this twisted world.”
His grip on mine tightens as he stops at a red light. He looks over at me, and I meet his eyes. “I will protect you, Mia. It’s my job. I will protect you from any threat, even if the threat is Bash. Even if the threat is me. Iwillprotect you. Don’t you ever doubt me.”
A chill runs down my spine as I feel the truth behind his words. He looks forward as the light turns green.
