by Cala Riley
You’re becoming a clingy girlfriend, and you aren’t even his girlfriend.
The thought crosses my mind, and I grit my teeth to stop from lashing out.
“I was busy, but my schedule has become clear. Let’s go.”
“You don’t have to. Really.”
He grabs my face and looks me straight in the eye before leaning in and giving me a chaste kiss before speaking again. “Go grab your purse and get your ass in my car. Now.”
There’s no denying the demanding tone he used. I can feel my panties become damp from his tone alone. If he was any other man, I would have punched him, but it’s Lo, and only he can cause this type of reaction from me. There’s something about him. It makes me want to please him. Makes me want to do what he says and see his eyes flare with desire.
I turn around and grab my purse and a jacket before stepping outside to lock the door. Lo grabs my coat and holds it out for me, and I give him a small smile as he helps me into it.
“Get in the car. I’ll lock the door.”
He pulls his keys out and turns the lock. I hurry toward his car on the street. I give Angelo a small smile and wave. He nods in response, as usual.
Once in the Escalade, I buckle myself in and watch as Lo walks up to the vehicle, his eyes taking in the street around us.
The way his shoulders fill out his suit reminds me of what he looks like without it. It’s obvious he works out. He’s buff, but not in a way that’s too much. He’s just perfect. I wonder how he keeps his body in such good shape with everything he has on his plate.
My mind flashes to him on another woman, and I growl.
He isn’t yours. Stop thinking that he is.
I watch as he slides in and turns on the car. He turns the heat up before looking at me. “Are you warm enough?”
I note a bit of concern in his eyes before he replaces it with the indifferent mask he often wears. It’s one I hate. When he wears it, I can never tell what he’s thinking, and he wears it all the damn time.
“Yep. Thank you.”
He nods as he takes off from the curb. “Girls’ night with Sofia tonight?”
I shake my head, but realize he can’t see me as he drives, so I clear my throat and respond. “No. Bash requested my presence. I don’t know what it’s about. Sofia wouldn’t tell me.” I was hoping Lo knew what this dinner is really about.
My hands start to shake as I remember some of the anger I’ve seen from Bash. He’s deadly when he’s angry. I can’t seem to think of anything I could’ve done to make him mad. I also can’t imagine Sofia letting him hurt me, but her hold over him only goes so far when it comes to business. I jump as I feel something grab my hand, and I look down to see Lo take my hand and bring it to his lips.
“I’m sure it’s nothing bad. Bash won’t hurt you.” He threads his fingers with mine as he places our hands on the center console.
“You can’t be sure of that, Lo. You know better than I do what Bash is capable of.”
He growls before he speaks. “I’ll keep you safe, mio piccolo angelo. Never doubt it.”
I roll my eyes. He’s a soldier as much as any of the others. Just because his rank is higher doesn’t mean he won’t follow orders once they’re given. Lo takes his job more seriously than anyone else in the organization. Sofia’s made the same comment herself. While I like the thought that Lo would save me, I know if Bash ordered it, he would put the bullet through my head himself.
“There is only so much you can do, Lo. It’s okay. I know my place in this twisted world.”
His grip on mine tightens as he stops at a red light. He looks over at me, and I meet his eyes. “I will protect you, Mia. It’s my job. I will protect you from any threat, even if the threat is Bash. Even if the threat is me. I will protect you. Don’t you ever doubt me.”
A chill runs down my spine as I feel the truth behind his words. He looks forward as the light turns green.
I can’t help the hope swelling in my chest. If he feels this strongly for me, maybe this is more than a hookup. Maybe I’m breaking down those walls of his and showing him I can be the girl by his side. I feel hope rise up, but the logical side of me reminds me of earlier. I debate saying something to him but can’t figure out what to say.
“What are you thinking about so hard over there?” His voice causes me to jump.
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Mia. We’re friends. Just tell me.”
I let out the deep breath. “You can’t keep playing hot and cold with me. We’re friends. That means I shouldn’t feel bad asking you for a ride.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry for the way I responded. I’ll be more mindful next time.”
“I want you to show me respect, Lo. I’m not a child. I want to be treated like the woman I am. We can have our benefits, but don’t treat me poorly the next day.”
He squeezes my knee before responding. “I promise. I will treat you with the respect you deserve from now on.”
My heart races as I stare at him. I can see that he means the words he’s speaking. The hope from before is back full force. I don’t respond to him. Instead, I look out the window as the scenery passes by.
We fall into a comfortable silence as I bask in the newfound sunshine within me. It isn’t long before we pull up to Bash’s house. I’ve been here more times than I can count now. Ever since Sofia moved in here, we’ve had girls’ night here. It’s the safest place for us; plus it’s a palace. There are so many rooms in the place. I could get lost trying to find my way to the bathroom. Actually, I think Izzy actually did once.
Lo stops and talks to the guards for a moment as they sweep the outside of the vehicle. I asked Sofia why they did this once, and she told me they are sweeping for bombs. It’s highly unlikely that Lo would knowingly bring a bomb here, but I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Once we’re parked, Lo comes to my side and helps me out of the SUV. I give him a smile as he helps me down, and his hand grips my ass briefly before grabbing my hand. I can’t help the smile spreading across my face as I watch his back as he leads me to the front door. He doesn’t bother knocking, walking right inside as he smiles to the guard standing inside the door.
“Hey, Carlo, how’re you doing?” I ask. I pull back on Lo as he attempts to continue walking while I wait for his response.
“Good, Miss Mia. You look as beautiful as ever. How are you doing?”
Lo growls, and I chuckle at his response. Carlo is around fifty and has always treated me with nothing but respect. He tells each of us how good we look. I asked him once why, and he said because a woman should always be told how pretty she is. It always makes me smile when he tells me now.
“I’m doing well, thank you.”
He winks at me as Lo begins to pull me again, and I roll my eyes. Lo’s acting like such a caveman, but instead of infuriating me, it just makes me smile as the hope keeps growing.
“Mia!” I look ahead and see Sofia coming down the stairs. She takes off in a run, and I pull my hand from Lo’s as I run to meet her. We crash into a hug.
“You girls act as if you never see each other.” Bash is walking down the stairs with an affectionate smile on his face. It calms the nerves I had coming over here.
“Shut up, Bash. I love my Mia Pia. It’s a girl thing. You wouldn’t understand.”
“Oh, I think I understand women just fine. Would you like another demonstration?”
Sofia blushes as she looks at me. “Maybe another time. Nonna is almost done with dinner. Come upstairs with me, Mia. I want to show you something.”
I chuckle at her enthusiasm as she pulls me back toward the stairs. I look back at Lo and find his eyes glued to my ass as I’m being drug up the stairs. My face heats at the look in his eyes. I watch him until I can no longer see him before looking forward as Sofia pulls me down the hall. She stops in front of a room I’ve never been in before.
“This is our bedroom. No one can listen into our conversation in her
e.”
A prick of worry fills me at her words, but her face is showing nothing but excitement as she pulls me through the door and shuts it behind me. She leads me over to two chairs as she pulls open the curtains covering what looks to be a balcony.
“Sit. Tell me everything.”
I feel relief fill me as I realize why she wanted to come in here.
“This is a beautiful view, Sof. I’m jealous you have never shared it before.”
“Stop changing the subject, Mia. Tell me. I’m dying here.”
I laugh at the comical look on her face. She looks like a kid waiting to open gifts on Christmas Day.
“What do you want to know about?” I look at my nails and pretend to pick at them.
“Stop stalling, damn it! You know damn well what I want to know about. Why were you at Lo’s this morning?”
I can’t help the smile on my face. “We might have spent the night together.”
“Did you sleep with him? You little hussy!” She smacks my arm as she laughs.
“Not like that. We didn’t have sex. He said sex’s a hard no for him.” I frown as I remember how he said he couldn’t do that. “We did other stuff though.”
“Like what? Tell me everything.”
“A girl has to have her secrets, Sof.”
“Stop playing coy. I tell you and Izzy everything about my sex life.”
I cringe as I remember some of those conversations. Some of the things they do is extremely hot, but it feels weird hearing about them because my body wants to be turned on, but my mind reminds me it’s my best friend and her boyfriend I’m thinking about.
“Not because we want to know, Sof. You divulge that all on your own.”
I mean honestly, she used to be so secretive. Ever since she got with Bash, she doesn’t hold anything back. Well, that’s not necessarily true. I know Bash tells her things she can’t tell us, but we don’t want to know anyway.
“You’re no fun.” Sofia pouts.
“Yeah, yeah. Let’s just say the man knows what he’s doing.” I blush at the little bit I’ve said.
“You’re so cute, Mia. Look at you all embarrassed. I love your innocence.”
“It isn’t innocence. It’s more like my blood heats when I think about it.”
She winks at me. “We have plenty of rooms for you to use if you feel the itch.”
I shake my head at her. She and Bash do it everywhere, I swear. She admitted once that she gets turned on by the thought of getting caught. Now they have a bucket list of places they want to have sex.
“I’ll keep it in mind.”
“So, are you guys together?”
My humor fades at her question.
“Oh no. What did I say?” She reaches out to grab my hand.
“Nothing’s changed. We’re still friends with benefits.”
“I’m going kick his ass!” She jumps up, but I pull her back down.
“It’s okay. Like I told Izzy this morning, I’m just living in the moment. I would never forgive myself if I let this opportunity pass me by. I understand what he wants, and I’m willing to give it to him.”
“Oh, Mia.” Sofia squeezes in next to me in my chair as she wraps me in a hug. “You really care about him. Are you sure this is a good idea?”
Izzy asked the same thing, but I’m in too deep now.
“I do care about him more than he cares about me. I’m well aware of that. I’m not going into this blind. I’m fully aware my heart might be broken at the end of all of this, but if there is even a sliver of a chance this could be more, I won’t give up until I know for sure. It’s worth a try.”
“I’m really going to hate having to murder Bash’s best friend, but for you, babe, I will do it no questions asked.”
I laugh, but the serious look on her face never changes. She means it.
“I don’t want him dead, Sof. Even if we don’t work out, I’ll always care for him. We were friends first. If this sexual thing fizzles out, I’ll make an effort to stay friends with him. I wouldn’t want him hurt.”
“You say that now,” she mutters. “Let me know if it changes. Bash bought me a new gun I’ve been itching to try out.”
Just like that, she changes the subject and lifts my spirit.
“I will. Should we check on dinner? I won’t lie. I’m dying of hunger.”
“Oh, that’s your stomach I hear? I thought a beast was sitting outside the window.”
I smack her as she jumps up to run away. I follow her as we race to the kitchen. It’s what I love most about Sofia. She can be serious, but she’s also a big kid at heart. I can get her to act silly with me at any time. Izzy does sometimes too, but she’s the most serious of all of us. She’s the mother of our band of misfits.
I pass Sofia and a chuckling Carlo as we round the corner into the kitchen. I slide inside and slam into Lo in front of Sofia, who in turn slams into me. Lo steadies us as Sofia straightens away, but I stand in his embrace a moment longer.
“Beat you!” I stick out my tongue as she scowls.
“You cheated!”
I roll my eyes. “How? By running faster than you? It’s not cheating. It’s just being superior,” I deadpan.
She walks to Bash, and he wraps her in his arms and consoles her wounded pride. I smirk. She isn’t really upset, but I know she isn’t going to turn down a cuddle from her man.
“You okay, Mia?”
I look up and realize Lo still has his hands on my shoulders and I haven’t moved. I smile up at him, and for a moment I think he’s going to kiss me, until Bash ruins it by opening his mouth.
“Let’s go to the dining room. Nonna is almost done here.”
I look over my shoulder at Nonna, giving a warm smile as she plates the food. Bash and Sofia walk past Lo and me, and I don’t miss the look Bash gives Lo. It makes me wonder if Bash has something to do with the fact the Lo doesn’t want more with me.
“Come on, mio piccolo Angelo. Let’s go eat.”
He trails a hand down my arm and laces his fingers in mine before pulling me out of the kitchen and toward the dining room. Once there, he drops my hand as he leads the way over to the table. I try not to let disappointment set in at the fact that he let my hand go, but I know I failed with Sofia gives me a look of pity.
Lo stops behind a chair and pulls it out. “Have a seat.”
Someone rings the doorbell then. Bash waves Sofia back into her seat as he stands up to answer it. Lo takes a seat beside me as Bash walks back in the room with Dr. Fields, the family doctor.
“Have a seat, Dr. Fields.” He walks her over to Sofia and holds out the chair next to hers before taking his place at the head of the table again. Just then, Nonna and a couple of guys come in with the food, placing it on the table. Nonna goes around and fills all of our glasses with the wine that had already been set out to breathe then bows slightly before leaving the room again.
“Let us say grace,” Bash commands.
“When did we start saying grace?”
I flinch at Lo’s words. No one contradicts Bash. Instead of being angry, Bash smiles.
“Since the Lord blessed me with my tesoro. I have renewed my faith in the big man.”
Lo chuckles and reaches over to grab my hand as he also leans across the table to grab Dr. Fields. Bash holds out his hand to me, and I hesitate for only a moment before placing my hand in his. Then I bow my head as he prays.
“Lord, I thank you each day for the blessings in my life. Thank you for Nonna and this wonderful food she prepared for us. Thank you for my tesoro. Thank you for Lorenzo and Mia and Dr. Fields. These are the little blessings in our lives that we will forever be grateful for. In your name we pray, amen.”
I mumble my amen, but notice Lo stays silent. I wonder if he’s the religious type. My heart says no, and it saddens me. I’m not overly religious, but I do believe there is a God and he watches over us. Knowing Lo’s soul isn’t saved hurts my heart.
“Let’s eat.”
Food’s being passed around the table, and it doesn’t escape my notice that Lo has already started piling food on my plate. Each dish passed our way, he places a spoonful on mine before placing two on his own. Once we all have our food, we start to eat.
Conversation flows easily as Dr. Fields shares stories from her work. Ever since I was a child, I’ve always been interested in the medical field. I wanted to go to college for it and was all set to until my father died—or at least I think he died. Truth is, he left one day on a job and never came back. We had to move and change our names in order to stay safe. Our contingency plan was put into motion ages ago. I can’t deny the warmth I feel listening to Dr. Fields’s stories. If life were kinder, I would be in her place right now and not at dinner with the mafia.
I look over to Sofia then to Lo.
I wouldn’t change this for the world though. Mom’s been gone two years now. Without Izzy, I would have never made it. She was the last family I had, until Sofia came into our lives. Now with Lo, I feel like I’m finally myself again. Well, as much of myself as I can be. I still haven’t told any of them about my past.
After dinner and dessert, Bash stands and tells us we’re going to the meeting room. Here it is, whatever he wants me here for. I look over to Lo, but he looks like he’s in the dark too, or at least I think he does. He still has his dumb mask in place, but the tension in his jaw tells me he’s on edge. If I hadn’t spent so much time staring at him, I wouldn’t have noticed the slight change, but I’m in tune with him. I might not always be able to read his emotions, but I do notice some of his tells.
Once we’re all inside, he shuts the door. “Do you need me to sweep?” Lo asks as he holds out a chair for me, then Dr. Fields.
“No, it’s not that serious. Sit, Lo. Honestly, you weren’t meant to be here for this, but it’s not a secret.”
Lo takes a seat next to me. As Bash brings his gaze to mine, I reach out and grab Lo’s thigh. He brings his hand down and grabs mine, but he doesn’t move it off his leg. I don’t know why I reached for him, but Bash is making me nervous. I guess I need his strength.
“Mia, we have a unique opportunity for you. Dr. Fields here wants out of the game. We can’t allow it without having a suitable replacement. She suggested you. I told her she would need to convince you, as I will not force this upon you. Dr. Fields, the floor is yours.”