I know Luca is not like other men. I know he’s overprotective. I just hope it’s because he was there for the worst part of my life, and I’m not falling for another monster.
“I just keep getting random hateful messages. It’s not a big deal.” My response is meant to be flippant, but some of the fear seeps through.
“They’re just keyboard thugs. Nobody will try anything in real life ever again, and don’t you forget it, cuz. You have us in your corner now.” Karlie looks at Luca, and he acknowledges her words with a nod. “Now, since you interrupted our girls’ night, you might as well pull up a seat and drink with us.” Karlie winks at Luca, waiving her hand in the air to flag down the waitress.
“I’ll be happy to buy whatever you ladies want. The night is on me, but I’ll be the designated driver, so I won’t be drinking.” Luca leans over and kisses my lips.
I smile up at him, and all thoughts of ex-husbands and crazy ex-mother-in-law’s fade away.
CHAPTER
THIRTEEN
SURPRISE VISITS
LUCA
These past few weeks have been too quiet. Even though I’ve been blissfully wrapped up with Mindy, I always know what’s going on in the world around me. The family has been keeping a low profile since our war with the Giuliani family has been heating up, and the protective order that Mindy had against Ross was also terminated. We keep taking hits, but all of this shit will come to an end soon.
However, Mindy doesn’t know that Jules has been shadowing her not only because of Ross, but because of the war my family is engaged in at the moment. She really has no idea how dangerous I am. Normally, it wouldn’t cross my mind to have my men guard a woman. But Mindy is the first woman that I’m serious about.
My family does their best to keep innocents out of our business, but sometimes, women and children get hurt. And I’ll be damned if my innocent woman will have a hair on her head touched.
My ringing office phone brings me out of my angry thoughts.
“Mr. Dalonzo, there’s a woman here to see you,” the front desk security guard says before I can respond.
“Who is it?” I gruffly question.
“Mindy Stewart, sir. She’s on the visitor logs, but it says to contact you immediately. Should I send her in?”
“No, I’ll come and get her.” I can’t help the smile that graces my face.
I’ve invited Mindy to join me anytime, but she always says she doesn’t want to bother me. I know it’s just a habit for her to stay alone, but I’m breaking down her guard little by little. If I had it my way, she’d be up under me twenty-four-seven.
I stride out of my office and to the elevator. I’m so excited to see Mindy that I would’ve run down the stairs if I weren’t on the top floor. The elevator ride is brief, and in less than five minutes, I’m hugging the woman I need to convince to stay with me forever.
“Hey,Coniglia. I missed you,” I whisper in her ear.
“You just saw me yesterday, Luc,” she giggles.
“Even when you’re standing in front of me, I miss you when I blink.”
“Damn, where’s a notebook and a pen. That was some poetic shit,cugino,” Jules says, smirking.
I shake my head. This guy never follows directions. He’s supposed to be keeping a low profile, yet here he is out in the open making himself known.
“Jules! What are you doing here?” Mindy asks with a smile brightening her face.
I’m surprised that she hasn’t realized that he’s been following her.
“I mean, it’s not like you don’t show up out of nowhere wherever I am, right?” Mindy smirks at Jules, then at me.
Okay, maybe she has noticed.
“Come,Coniglia. Let’s go to my office so we can chat. Jules, get lost.” I grab Mindy’s hand and lead her to the elevator.
“Rude,” I hear Jules chuckle before he disappears into one of the offices behind the receptionist desk.
