“You’ll be able to’t inform us what to do,” snaps Callie, and I glare at her in disbelief. We simply watched this man finish somebody and she or he’s sassing him.

Dante instantly leans over to her, pushing his face in hers. I squeeze my eyes closed in panic as I really feel Callie tighten her grip on my hand. “You don’t know who I’m, little woman, however you’re about to. I don’t get informed no. Ever. Individuals who inform me no, find yourself like your buddy, Jase. So, I recommend you get a transfer on.”

I seize Callie by the hand and edge out of the sales space with Emerson following. One thing tells me it’s safer to do as he tells us.

Current day . . .

TESSA

I slice the meat as he likes it, sauté the greens excellent, and cream the potatoes to perfection. I lay the new dishes within the centre of the desk simply as Dante’s friends start to reach.

I be a part of them in the lounge and stand beside him with my head barely lowered in order that later, he can’t accuse me of eye-fucking his friends. The same old males are right here. Kai is Dante’s right-hand man. He’s recognized him his entire life, and so they’re extra like blood brothers than buddies. Enzo is Dante’s advisor and superb buddy. And there’s one other man I’ve by no means met, so I be sure to not be wherever close to him and glue myself to Dante’s facet.

Ultimately, he takes my hand and makes use of his different hand to tip my head up to have a look at him. “I would like you to satisfy Nero. He’s going to be round much more.” I don’t transfer my eyes from Dante, not till he tells me I can. He smiles, inserting a delicate kiss on my nostril. “Good woman,” he whispers. “Nero, that is my spouse, Tessa. Tessa, Nero is your new bodyguard.”

NERO

Bodyguard. Bodyguard. Fucking bodyguard. His spouse appears simply as shocked as me, however she shuts it down, giving me a impartial expression. “Boss?” I say like I’m asking the query, cos fuck is aware of he didn’t communicate to me about this.

“Drawback?” asks Dante, tipping his head to 1 facet like he’s daring me to problem him.

“No, Boss. Simply questioning what my duties will entail.”

“My spouse has ready a meal. We could go eat?” he asks, turning again to his spouse and working his hand by her hair. She winces barely, giving the impression he’s tugging it. “Will you serve us, Tessa?”

She smiles politely. “After all.”

The strain within the room is sort of insufferable. I’ve sat with gangland killers, Mafia bosses, and nutters who would kill their very own mom. But sitting right here in silence whereas Tessa serves us meals is worse than any of it. She’s nervous. Her whole physique is stiff as she walks spherical to every of us to position beef on our plates. Dante has his eyes mounted on her your entire time, not shifting them for a second.

As soon as our plates are full, she begins a retreat to the kitchen. “Aren’t you becoming a member of us?” I ask. All eyes flip to me, together with Dante’s. “It’s simply, she cooked us this meals, isn’t she going to have some?”

“Why are you involved with whether or not my spouse eats?” asks Dante.

“Only a query,” I mutter.

***

I get again to my shitty little non permanent condominium and throw my automobile keys on the facet. Fuck, that was heavy. Minutes later, the door opens and Callie is available in. “So, how did it go?”

I shrug out of my jacket. “What the hell is occurring with him and his spouse?”

She sits on the sofa. “Home violence. I informed you.”

“Nah, it was weirder than that. I imply, she’s scared to loss of life, it’s apparent, however you’re feeling the stress in each room. It’s just like the violence is clinging to each wall and silently screaming. He didn’t take his eyes off her the entire time she was round us. It’s like he was anticipating the smallest mistake.”

“He in all probability was. Males like him take pleasure in full management. Anyway, we’re not there to take care of the spouse. Are you in?”

I nod, unable to suppress my smile. She claps her palms collectively. “Yessss!”

“However . . .” She flops again into the sofa, groaning. “It’s not precisely what we hoped for.”

“We are able to’t maintain dragging this out, Nero.”

“Hear me out,” I say, taking a seat beside her. “I’m the spouse’s bodyguard.”

She sits up straight. “What?”

“Yeah, shocked me too. No phrase of warning. He launched me, then informed her I used to be her new guard. I’ve received to return tomorrow for a full briefing.”

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