Page 47

Theo

Present Day

I am pulled from my musings as my two men make their way across the room. Danica hasn’t seemed to notice their presence yet, too lost in thoughts of her own, it would seem. I watch as my men take in the scene, noting the beautiful woman by the window, but they are wise not to say anything. Instead, they move to stand by my side, waiting silently for instructions.

Clearing my throat, I try to gain Danica’s attention, but my Little Sparrow is lost in a world of her own.

“La mia diavoletta.”

My voice comes out dark, more guttural than I intended, but at least it breaks through whatever haze is clouding her thoughts. She turns her head sharply, looking at me, eyes widening as she notices the burly men flanking me on either side.

“I have to go out for a while. It can’t be avoided. These are two of my most trusted men. Darrion,” I gesture to the brooding six-foot-four, surly bald man at my left, “and Jayce.” Not quite as tall in stature, muscles leaner, but no less lethal. He just quirks a brow in my girl’s direction.

“They’ll be staying here while I’m out. I trust them implicitly. If you have to go out for any reason, you make sure to take both of them with you. If you need anything, let them know and they will see that you get it in my absence. I shouldn’t be gone long.”

Not giving her a chance to object to her new bodyguards, whom she will unquestionably view more as unnecessary babysitters, I turn on my heel and walk quickly out of the room with my men following close behind. As we step into the elevator, the doors closing swiftly behind us, I turn to face them once more. “No one,” I pause for emphasis, “and I mean, absolutely no one, gets in this apartment without direct authorization from me, got it?”

They nod in unison, already knowing the drill.

“She is the most important thing in my life. My everything. If I find out that anyone came near her without my say-so; if a single hair on her head is out of place when I get back, I am holding you personally responsible, got it?” Again, they nod. “Good. Because your lives will be worth less than the dirt under my boot if I find out anything happened while I’m gone.”

“We got it, boss. No one goes near your woman.”

This gives me pause. My woman. Damn straight, she is. Now if only she would just realize it. “I told you not to call me boss.” I scowl at Jayce, and he just grins his stupid fucking cocky-ass smile right back at me.

“You got it, boss .” This time the smart-ass response comes from Darrion. Bunch of assholes. Ugh. It’s a wonder how I can put up with them most days. But they are good men, the best, and they have become close friends over the years.

Choosing to ignore the response, I turn as the elevator doors slide open and step into the garage. Without a backward glance, I head for my truck once more, instead, raising a hand over my shoulder and flipping them the bird as I go. Their chuckles echo behind me as I hear the elevator doors close once more.