We stand there until we watching the sun continue its voyage until we can no longer look directly at it. Enjoying the peace and the beauty of the moment. Of each other.
“What time does our flight leave?” she asks, breaking the silence.
“When we get there. Until then, I’m making sure your day is filled with relaxation and fun.”
She turns back around in my arms, looking up at me. “Seriously. What time?”
“I am being serious. It leaves when we get there. First, I am going to feed you breakfast. Then I’m taking you for a massage. After that we’ll get lunch. Then we’re going to the aquarium because I hear sea animals have a calming effect. Then we’ll go to the airport and get on the plane that I intend fuck you in the entire way to Chicago.”
Her mouth falls open, hanging loosely. “Ahem. Okay then,” she says turning red as a cherry which is fucking cute. “I guess we should get this show on the road.”
The plane landsat seven that evening. After I made good on all my promises for the day, we boarded the plane around two-thirty. I also made good on my promises for the flight with the exception of the last hour because Tori needed to get ready for this fucking charade of an event.
When she stepped out of that bathroom, it was my jaw that was being picked up off the floor. Her long blond hair pulled back into some kind of knot made that long, kissable throat enticing. That silver gown hugged every dip and curve she had while gave her a luminescent glow that I swear couldn’t be real. Except I know that it is because she kept the makeup to a bare minimum. Just enough to say she was wearing some, I guess.
I think back to New Year’s when she came to River City. It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year. She took my breath away that night, but right now she is bringing me to my knees. I didn’t know it was possible for a woman to look as beautiful as she does.
Possessiveness washes through me. It makes me want to turn this plane right back around so that no one else can see what stands before me. No one deserves to see the beauty that is radiating from every facet of her being.
God fucking help me, for the first time I’m realizing how hard this night is going to be. I’m not sure if I have enough control to not stab Rossi in the face if he touches her. And I already know he will. Maybe not inappropriately but fuck. I don’t want him laying a finger on her.
“Get it together,” Jax tells me as we step off the plane. He is picking me up while Tori rides with Matteo. I fucking hate that she has to ride with anyone else.
“What are you talking about?” I ask him but my eyes still follow her as she slides into the back of the car. Our gazes meet in many silent messages.I love you. Be careful. I need you. Stay safe.
“You’re about a minute from losing it, Zee. Can’t do that now. Not yet.”
“I’m fine,” I grit out turning my attention to him as we climb into the rented SUV.
“Bullshit. I know that look,” he declares. “Fuck, Iwearthat look probably more than anyone else. Remember Ryan Davenport, Maddox, and the others?”
I take a deep breath, slowly releasing then repeat the process. “I can’t help it, Jay. All I can picture is Rossi trying to put his hands on her.”
“He’s not going to get the chance. As soon as we get there, you pull her away as fast as you can. He knows you two are together. Just try to keep cool.”
“That will be hard.”
“Just keep your cool, brother. I know it’s hard, but you’ve got no choice right now.”
I give a short nod as we pull in front of the pavilion. Jax hands the valet the keys as we make our way inside. The place is packed, and I consider how these douche bags use the ruse of charity to get away with what they’re doing. All the money going through this fake charity, set up so they can pretend the money they get tonight is legal and somehow get the fucking tax break to go with it. It’d be genius if it weren’t so fucking sick.
The last event like this, Jax and I attended on behalf of the team. Mr. Neveah doesn’t have a damn clue what he was supporting. To be honest, at the time, I didn’t either. That charity had a different name without DeLuca attached to it.
Tonight, we attend on behalf of Diamond. At least that’s how it appears to anyone that doesn’t know what’s really going on here. River City mafia may be run from the basement, but over time, Rory and Bastian have slowly moved away from illegal things more and more. I don’t think they even realize that more than half of their business and income is legitimate now. But that doesn’t mean they – we – aren’t still what we are. Maybe the way the money is made is changing, but the fact remains that they have no qualms strongarming to get what they want. Blackmail and extortion are still prevalent. And if the wrong lines get crossed, hands get bloody.
Tonight, I wouldn’t mind a little blood on my hands. Rossi’s to be specific.
I look around the room. It’s as opulent and extravagant as the last event. Designer clothes that could feed a family for a year are worn by nearly everyone in attendance. Ridiculous pieces of jewelry adorn the fingers, necks, and ears of all the women. Expensive watches sit on the wrists of all the men.
Jax and I aren’t an exclusion to this rule. We have money to buy certain things, so we do. But we are both very generous withrealcharities. And we donate something much more valuable. Time.
But looking at the ostentatiousness of this room, I feel a little ridiculous for spending five-thousand-dollars on a watch. Or twelve thousand on the tux I’m wearing. I see Jax stuff his hands in his pockets. He looks uncomfortable as well. As if being surrounded by all of this affluence makes him itch.
I spot Tori off to the side with the same guy from the last event. The guy that made a point to let me see her. The guy Ireallydidn’t notice because I was so focused on her.
But I see him now. And I know his problem isn’t only with Rory and Bastian. His problem is with me too.
I also know why none of us recognized his name.
