Page 4

Downstairs I can hear Jade pacing around the house again. She has been pacing for two days now. It must be annoying, being ripped out of your life and thrown into a stranger's home in a world you don’t understand.

I peer up the stairs towards where I can hear her ruffling about. She must be in the library again. It seems to be her favorite room. That and the upstairs sun room where I keep my collection of rare orchids.

Mostly she’s been in the library though, which is directly opposite my home office, so I can hear her while I’m working, which is why I know she’s probably in there now.

I’ve been struggling with, but also enjoying, having her around. I’m not used to living with a woman. And especially not one so beautiful. And of course the fact that she is an innocent and doesn’t belong in my world makes it harder for me, even if I thought there was a connection between us—I can’t pursue it. It’s not fair to her.

I climb the steps in the late afternoon sun, spilling down from the skylight above me, and walk down the upstairs landing.

Turning into the library I find it empty, then a sound behind me draws my attention to my office.

What the fuck?

I walk more quietly out of the library and stand in the doorway of my office, watching Jade scratch through one of the drawers.

“Jade?” I ask, filled with concern for what her true motives are. “What are you doing in here?” My voice is edged with warning because she’s crossed a line by snooping around in my work.

“Oh, um, shit—“ she blurts out, the swear word seeming foreign on her perfect lips. Her cheeks turn bright red, and she stands staring at me with extremely wide eyes.

“Jade?” I say her name again, another warning.

“I—you—you were there at the shooting,” she says, looking like she is going to cry.

“And?” I step into the office, walking towards her and taking the piece of paper from her hand, setting it on the desk behind me.

I stare down at her and notice how she is shaking slightly.

“The Enzos are Bratva, um, mafia, and that means that you must be too, and if they are dangerous—“

My heart sinks.

She is trying to find out if I am more dangerous than them. She has a right to ask this question. I am mafia, and she is worried about how that affects her safety.

All of the anger dissipates from my body, my shoulders relax, and the stern look melts away from my eyes.

I smile softly, cupping her chin in my hand.

“I am mafia. My whole family is. But I assure you that we, at least, still kept our morals and respect, unlike some of the other groups.”

“So, you’re not going to hurt me?” her long lashes, as black as her hair, flutter upwards and her hazel eyes are locked on mine.

My heart constricts and without being conscious of it I tighten my fingers over her jaw.

“I will never hurt you, little starfish,” I whisper, pulling her face upwards and making sure she looks deep into my eyes so that she can see the truth of my words for herself.

“Starfish?” she whispers, her breath hot against my lips.

“As rare and as beautiful as they are, in bright reds and fiery colors,” I whisper back, leaning even closer, feeling the heat of her mouth almost touching mine, my heart beating harder than ever.

A second before I press my lips over hers, my phone rings loudly from my pocket and both of us jump in fright.

Fuck.

I told myself not to get involved with her like that. I’m supposed to be keeping her safe, not having my heart tugged towards her.

I clear my throat loudly and take a step away from her to try and create some distance between us as I pull my phone from my pocket.

Pressing it against my ear.

“Radmir,” I say sternly.

“Why do you sound so weird?” Rodion asks.

“I don’t—“ I say defensively. “Uh, what did you call for?”

“We are coming for dinner tonight.”

“Who?” I ask.

“Everyone except Rigor. He can’t make it. He’s too in love or some shit.”

I laugh. “Hey, give the guy space to enjoy that,” I reply.

“Seven?” Rodion asks.

“Takeout? I’ll order before everyone gets here.”

“Just make sure you get those chicken wings from Blue Crane. Oh my word. A whole order just for me,” he laughs.

“Done. See you guys then.”

Sliding the phone back into my pocket I ponder on whether or not it’s a good idea to invite Jade to join my brothers for dinner. They are rowdy and noisy and a bit wild, but I think she needs a distraction and some entertainment.

I turn towards her.

“My brothers are coming over tonight,” I say.

“Oh, I can stay up in my room, out of the way. I won’t be a problem I promise.” She smiles sweetly.

“Actually, I wanted to ask you if you want to join us?”

“To meet your family?” she asks nervously, looking shy.

“They are amazing people. You’ll love them.”

Jade pulls her mouth tight and it’s the first time I sensed something else from her, something distant, floating beneath the surface of her innocence. But then just as quickly as I think it—it’s gone.

“I would love to meet your family,” she says, still sounding nervous.

“Great. They’ll be here at seven. I’m ordering assorted takeout because they eat so much and its short notice. Is there anything specific you like? I’ll make sure to order it.”

“I like everything.” She smiles.

I raise my brows at her. “Everyone has a favorite,” I say sternly.

She giggles, a sweet, soft sound that runs overs me like summer rain.

“I love Thai curry, or maybe even dumplings, oh and anything with blue cheese, or maybe one of those rolled pizzas that they make at Denny’s Corner—“ Her cheeks flush pinker than they already were. She looks down at her feet. “I told you. I like everything.”

I tilt her head up towards me with my finger under her chin. “You seem to like all of things I like.” I chuckle.

But now my heart is racing again, so I drop my hand away. Stop this, Rad. Stop letting her get to you like this. You can help her, and then she will be on her way, back to her life, and you’ll never see her again.

Jade smiles and swallows hard. “Thanks,” she mutters.

“Um, ok, then, seven.” I walk backwards away from her until I’m out of the office.

She follows me and steps around me in the doorway, brushing her perfect body against mine. I close my eyes and breathe in the scent of her. Then she’s hurrying down the passage towards her bedroom and I’m standing alone like an idiot with my eyes closed.

Tugging my shirt straight and adjusting my cock which threatened to betray me numerous times during that interaction, I walk back downstairs to go through the takeaway menus and try to remember what each of my brothers likes.

I need a distraction because that girl is going to be the death of me if I can’t get myself under control.

I have never, in my life, felt so attracted to someone before. Everything about her is just—it’s exactly what I want.

But can’t have.

That’s all it is though, right?

It’s because I can’t have her that I want her so badly.

I sigh, shaking my head at myself. No, I know it’s not that. It’s her. There is something so intensely perfect about her.

I mutter to myself in annoyance as I flick through the menus, noting the orders on my phone and setting a time for delivery so that they are all hot and fresh when people arrive.

It takes a while and I get lost in the simple task which I am grateful for.

By the time I’m done ordering, it’s close to six, so I head upstairs to shower and slowly get ready. I was hoping to get a gym session in today, but I guess I got distracted in more ways than one.

At ten to seven my first brother arrives carrying a six pack of beers. Rodion arrives with a loud hello that he shouts into the mansion.

“I’m on my way down now,, make yourself comfortable!” I shout back, stepping out my bedroom into the hallway.

Jade steps out of her room at the same time.

She is wearing the black sweatpants and a black crop top. They look so stylish on her. The red high-top sneakers and red accents in the pants all complimenting the red in her hair.

I grin.

“You look fantastic,” I say with enthusiasm.

“Thanks.” She grins. “Who chose these?” she asks, narrowing her eyes towards me.

“I ordered everything online myself and then had Neil go to the stores to collect the items. If you don’t like it—“

“No, I love it. Honestly. It’s very—me.” She smiles, doing a little twirl in the passage, and I notice how her entire face lights up. “Thank you, Radmir.”

“It’s a pleasure.”

She walks past me towards the stairs, and I place my hand on her lower back, instantly feeling the heavy current of electricity between us. I should pull my hand away. But I don’t want to.