Page 115 of Sweet Deception

“Only the best in the business,” Darren chimes in from the doorway.

We all jump at his sudden appearance. Some reactions will never change. Mafia men are stealthy, and he’s constantly sneaking up on me—though my momentary surprise always melts back into love in milliseconds.

“A friend. I think he’ll be perfect,” Darren adds while cuddling both Piro and Tutu in his massive hands. “Callum Kavanagh.”

The name doesn’t ring a bell. “Have I met him?”

Darren shakes his head. “He’s the top envoy for the family. Handles all our international business transactions. My uncle trusts that man with his life, and he barely trusts anyone.”

Wow.

A disgruntled noise slips from Lucy’s mouth. “I don’t need some glorified steroid dude babysitting me like I’m five.”

Ever since the abduction, she’s been a little sharper. More independent, but recklessly so. She’s got a tougher exterior because of the trauma, but it’s mostly bravado. Her therapy isongoing, though, so hopefully, that’ll fade with time, and we’ll have our old Lucy back.

“You absolutely need a professional to keep you safe. If not for your peace of mind, then for mine.”

Lucy mumbles under her breath. Something that sounds a lot like, “we’ll see about that.”

I rub the back of my neck and exchange glances with Darren.

This Callum guy better be as top-notch as he claims, because something tells me he’ll have his hands full protecting Lucy…from herself if nothing else.

To be continued…