Pulling myself together, I leaned into Jag.

“Bye, everyone. Thank you for a wonderful night, Uncle Vino.” I bowed my head slightly out of respect then turned in Jag’s arms. “Let’s go,” I whispered, not wanting to meet my father’s eyes for fear of seeing disapproval.

“My pleasure.”

He led me down the hallway before a strong bellow came from across the room, and I tensed, unable to move.

“Jag.”

Jag turned and I followed suit, coming face-to-face with my father.

“Yes, sir.” He was so damn calm and cool. I wondered if this was just him or some mask he put on when he was scared shitless. I hoped for the first, masks always fell away leaving a mess in their wake.

My father gave him a strong, penetrating stare, and my Uncle Vino came to stand beside him. Both men had their arms crossed over their chests, looking menacing. My knees wobbled a bit, but I held still—barely. I couldn’t help but feel unsure and a little scared.

“If anything happens to my girl, you’re dead.”

I gulped loudly as Daddy looked into Jag’s eyes, some strange conversation taking place that I would really like to be privy to, considering it was about me.

“I understand, sir.” Jag’s voice was strong, confident, and self-assured. The same voice that I’d hoped for from all those losers who ran the other way when faced with my father and brothers. I melted at the gesture, my heart thumping hard--yet showed no outward signs.

“Same goes for me,” Uncle Vino added.

“I’ll protect her with my life,” Jag assured them, knocking the air out of my lungs. Those words meant a lot, more than I could even describe, at least in my family. He didn’t even know me yet, but he was willing to say those words, the ones that showed respect and strength. The words that my family held in the highest regard. Ones that not one man I’ve ever been with has said. The pounding of my heart echoed through my ears.

Both Dad and Uncle Vino nodded in understanding and approval. Jag turned back to me, giving me a megawatt smile, and I could do nothing except smile shyly back at him.

“Let’s go, dolcezza,” He whispered softly, leading me out of the party with his arm firmly around my body protectively while eyes followed our every movement. I loved every second of it.

Chapter 4

SCRAPER DROVE US to a twenty-four hour diner just outside of town called Charlie’s. Kiera and I had been there many times because their greasy food hit the spot after a night of drinking. It was quaint and very old fashioned. Fifties memorabilia lined the walls, and there was an authentic fifties-style, black and white checkered tile floor throughout along with a jukebox that was just for looks since it had stopped working years ago.

Sidling into the booth, Jag sat across from me instead of sitting in the same seat, which rather surprised me because he didn’t let go of my hand the entire car ride. I couldn’t erase the stupid teenage smile on my lips, though.

I opened the menu, glancing at all the greasy perfection. At the party, I hadn’t eaten much because every time I tried, someone would talk to me. I had chewed quickly so I could respond to the conversation. Needless to say, I talked a lot and I was hungry.

“So, beautiful”—I looked up at his words, his mesmerizing eyes capturing me—“you really took down a man at the bar?” His deep voice laced with admiration sent shivers down my spine, giving me an instant zing pretty much through my entire body.

“Absolutely. It’d be wise to keep that in mind,” I said, trying to give my most kickass, don’t fuck with me attitude, which he picked up on and chuckled.

I looked over the top of the menu questioningly. “What?”

“Babe, that guy is a fucking douche. To give up this”—he pointed his finger up and down my body—“for anything, it just shows what a fuck up he is.”

My body flooded with giddiness as I bit my bottom lip to keep from saying anything stupid. Jag groaned, watching my teeth tug at my lip as the waitress arrived, snapping her gum. Great.

When I looked up at her, her eyes were solely focused on Jag, and I couldn’t blame her. She was probably five years younger than me and super cute. Her dark brown hair was pulled up into a tight ponytail on top of her head and swished every time she breathed, let alone moved, and her white uniform was skintight, leaving little to the imagination. I bet her slutty body was great for tips.

Looking over at Jag, I saw his eyes were focused on me, and damn if the little girl inside me didn’t do a dance.

“What do you want, dolcezza?” His words washed over me like honey, and I itched for him to lick it off.

“Cheeseburger, fries, and a strawberry shake,” I answered, my eyes not leaving his. A woman could definitely get lost in the depths of them.

“What about you, sweetheart?” The waitress snapped her gum again, and I had the sudden urge to make sure her mouth stayed shut. For a long ass time. I restrained myself, though, since she was just a kid. A horny kid, but I had no claim to the man sitting across from me, and judging from his intense stare, he didn’t want her, anyway.

“Same thing for me, but make the shake chocolate.”

“You got it.” She lingered for a moment, trying to get his attention, but he didn’t budge. His attention was on me, strong and intense, something I hadn’t felt before. A woman could definitely get spoiled.

The waitress finally took the menus hastily and left in a huff.

“So, you work for my uncle?” I felt the need to really get to know him, and what better way than to ask how he was connected to my family?

I wasn’t a moron. I knew things my father, uncle, and brothers did weren’t the best of things, but I had never known exactly what it was they did. I had no desire to find out in any real detail.

“Yeah, over on the West Coast,” he answered casually.

“How long have you been working for him?” I pressed.

“Since I got out of high school.”

That actually surprised me. Most coming out of high school didn’t even know this life existed unless they grew up in it. Meaning he must have had some sort of connection to it before entering. I might not know the ins and outs of the business, but I knew enough.

“How old are you?”

“Thirty.”

I raised my brow. “You’ve been working for him for, what, twelve years?”

“Something like that.”

That said a lot in this world. Loyalty was defined by time, and Jag had obviously showed that. I wanted to ask him what he did, but I wasn’t stupid. We had no legal businesses on that side, and the less I knew, the better. That meant I would just stick to getting to know him as a man, instead.

The waitress took that opportunity to drop off our drinks, but she didn’t stick around this time.

“Val says you’re not staying long.” I wanted the words to come out strong, but even I could hear the faint disappointment in them. Despite barely knowing each other, the sexual tension between us was palpable, something I needed to explore before he left.

“I’m here on business. He’s right, but my stay may have just gotten longer.” He reached across the table and grabbed my hand, and an electric sizzle flowed through my body as his eyes darkened, storm clouds raging behind them. His thumb brushed my hand, and with each back and forth motion, the fire I thought was out earlier roared back to life.

My breathing hitched and food became the furthest thing from my mind. All I wanted was him on top of me, crushing me beneath him. I would never let him know that, though. That gave him too much power, and I wasn’t ready to relinquish any of that. After Antonio, I might never be again.

The clatter of plates hitting the table had our eyes momentarily leaving each other. He squeezed and then released my hand, and I gazed at the food, my mouth watering. From the hot man making me burn or the food, I wasn’t a hundred percent sure at that moment. When my stomach growled, I knew I needed to feed that beast first.