Page 4 of Bound to the Mafia Guard (Mated in the Mafia #5)

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TREV

I knocked on Rowan's door, wincing as the sound echoed through the mansion's hallway. There was no answer, so I checked my watch and frowned. We needed to leave in fifteen minutes if he was going to make his first class on time. I knocked again, harder this time.

"Just a minute!" A loud thump and muttered curse filtered through the door.

Great. I leaned against the doorframe and sighed. This assignment was already off to a great start.

A few seconds later, the door swung open and revealed Rowan wrapped in nothing but a towel. Water droplets clung to his bare chest, and his damp hair was sticking up in every direction. “Sorry. Running a few minutes late.”

The omega's scent hit me like a freight train, and I almost flinched in response. A sweet citrus and vanilla that made me want to lean in closer. I cleared my throat and averted my eyes. "Are you ready to go?" Dumb question. The man was in a towel. It was the best I could come up with.

Rowan ran a hand through his hair and chuckled. "Not even close. Come in, if you want. I just need to find my jeans."

He turned and walked back into the room, giving me an eyeful of his toned back and legs. He had those two dimples above his butt. The kind that looked good enough to lick if I was dumb enough to follow that train of thought. I hesitated in the doorway, making sure my alpha instincts didn’t interfere with my professional detachment. Get it together, Urbani. You've got a job to do.

I stepped inside and surveyed the chaos of Rowan's room. Clothes were strewn everywhere, and Rowan was bent over a suitcase, rummaging through it while making an even bigger mess.

"I didn’t mean to pack them." He threw his head back and closed his eyes. "They’re dark blue with a rip in the knee. Have you seen them?"

I raised an eyebrow, not sure I understood what he was asking. "Um, I just got here, remember? I don’t know where your jeans are."

He glanced over his shoulder and flashed a cheeky grin. "Well, after spending the next three days at my side, you’ll be intimately familiar with my jeans—whether they’re on or off me."

I ignored the comment and grabbed his duffel bag from the bed. "Can you wear something else? We need to leave soon if you want to make it to class on time."

"Maybe, but uh, just give me five more minutes." He continued digging through his suitcase while the towel slipped dangerously low on his hips.

My throat was suddenly dry as I tried not to stare at the expanse of pristine skin. This was going to be torture if the boss's cousin insisted on prancing around half-naked all the time.

"Found ‘em!" Rowan glanced at me and held up a pair of jeans.

"Great. Now get dressed so we can go."

Rowan stood up and clutched the jeans to his chest. "You gonna watch me change, big guy?"

I rolled my eyes and turned to face the wall. "Just hurry up."

The rustle of fabric filled the silence as Rowan dropped the towel and put on the rest of his clothes.

Instead of obsessing about the omega behind me, I focused on the job I was being paid to do. Keeping Rowan safe was my entire assignment. My only assignment. Andro was paying me to get him to and from campus without anyone taking an unusual interest because of his last name.

Simple in theory, but I could already tell that Rowan wasn't going to make this easy.

"Okay, I'm decent," Rowan said. "You can turn around now."

When I turned back, I was relieved to see he was fully clothed in jeans and a fitted t-shirt. “Need help with anything?” Apparently I could add keeping him on schedule to my list of responsibilities.

He was shoving notebooks into a backpack as he rushed around the room.

"I think I’m good. Phone, wallet, keys..." He patted his pockets then frowned. "Shit, where are my keys?"

“Do you need keys? I’m driving.”

“Yeah, for my dorm.” He opened up his suitcase again, as if planning to start the search process all over again.

I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled slowly, silently counting in my head. "Check your desk."

Rowan rifled through some papers on the desk. "Got 'em!" He held up a jangling keyring triumphantly.

I smirked for a second before catching myself. I was frustrated, dammit. Not amused by the boy. "Great. Now can we please go?"

Rowan turned to me and placed one hand over his opposite pec. "Aw, you in a hurry to get me alone in the car?"

No longer amused, I narrowed my eyes. "I'm in a hurry to do my job and get you to class on time. Move it."

Rowan's smile faltered slightly, but he sighed and headed out of the room.

I slung his duffle bag over my shoulder and grabbed his suitcase then followed him down the grand staircase.

The household staff bustled about as they all prepared for the day. A few curious glances were thrown our way, but no one dared approach. They were probably just surprised to see Rowan out of his room since he’d been camped out there for weeks.

We stepped outside, and I led Rowan to the waiting black sedan. I opened the back door and stepped aside to give him room. “Hop in.”

"I can't sit up front?" Rowan pouted and crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re not my chauffeur.”

I cocked my head, starting to get annoyed with the attitude. "You know damn well that it’s safer in the back. What I don’t know is why you’re fighting with me. I’m on your side here, Rowan. I’m not your enemy."

He held my gaze but didn’t say anything as he slid into the backseat.

I stowed his bags in the trunk then took my place behind the wheel. As I adjusted the rearview mirror, I caught Rowan's eye. He was watching me intently, and a small smile played on his lips.

I cleared my throat as I started the engine. "Seatbelt on?"

"Yes, sir," Rowan replied, his tone playful once again. The sparkle in his eye gave me pause, but I didn’t have time to wonder what he was up to.

Well, a flirty omega was better than a cranky one. Maybe.

I pulled out of the long driveway with the omega's scent filling up the enclosed space and making it hard to concentrate. Why hadn’t I noticed how potent it was before? I cracked the window, letting in some fresh air.

Rowan leaned forward between the seats and looked right at me. "Tell me about yourself, Trev. How'd you get stuck babysitting the cousin? I’m sure you have better things to do. Stuff people in barrels and cook crack or whatever it is my family does."

I kept my eyes on the road as I chuckled. "You seriously don’t know what the family does?" He had to be fucking with me.

He hummed. “Um, no, actually. I mean, I’ve seen movies. I don’t know the specifics. Should I?”

“I guess not.” I glanced at him as I came to a red light. “If you aren’t planning to be a part of their businesses, it’s probably better not to know. Blissful ignorance and all that.”

"Fine then. If you don’t want to talk about the deep underworld my family operates in, tell me about yourself. What's your story?"

I sighed, realizing Rowan wasn't gonna let this go. Besides, with all the time we would be spending together, it was only fair that I let him get to know me a bit. I had a full file on him, after all. "Not much to tell. My family has been working for yours for generations. Andro and I grew up together, and he’s my best friend."

Rowan scoffed. "And now you're stuck with me. Lucky you."

"Yeah, I am lucky.” I glanced at him in the rearview mirror. “It's an important job."

His smile faltered for a moment before returning full force. "Aww, I’m important. And a job."

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, rolling my eyes at the way this kid ran hot and cold. Flirting one second and then sulking the next. I really had no idea how this was going to go, but I could already tell it was gonna be a long semester.

"We both have roles to play here, Rowan. I’ll focus on keeping you safe, and you just focus on graduating."

"So, you already have a best friend so you can’t be friendly to me at all?” Rowan leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “I get that you’re only here for the money, but we might as well make the most of it. We’re gonna be sleeping together anyway.”

I sighed and looked at him again.

His eyes were already glued to mine, challenging and intense as he tried to bait me.

"Look, Rowan, I get it. You're young and attractive and probably used to always getting what you want. But this isn't a game. Andro hired me to keep you safe, not to be your latest conquest."

Rowan laughed. "Is that what you think I’m looking for? An alpha conquest?"

"Isn't it?" I countered, turning onto the highway that led straight to the university.

Rowan was quiet, and I could almost hear the gears turning in his head. When he spoke again, his voice was softer and more vulnerable. "I don’t think so. I'm just tired of being someone who has to be protected all the time. What happened to me was serious and bad. It sucked. But it’s over now. If I can’t be trusted to be an adult and have adult needs and desires, then I might as well be back with Van."

His words hit me harder than I expected, but I couldn't afford to let my guard down, no matter how tempting it might be. "I see you, Rowan." I watched him to make sure he was listening as I poured my heart out. "I’ll do my best to give you space, but my job is to protect you. Me doing my job doesn’t mean you aren’t trusted."

“But it does mean I need to keep my hands and thoughts to myself.” He turned and stared out the window. “Ten-four, alpha.”