Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 163(@200wpm)___ 131(@250wpm)___ 109(@300wpm)
After rattling off a number for the Cirilos to contact, I tell the goon to turn off the recording. I step forward, reaching out and grabbing the man by the front of his shirt. He squeaks, shaking as I haul him up off the chair.
"Tell your bosses that this is my final warning," I hiss. "There is a ceasefire here. If you violate it, you are at fault."
The man nods furiously. "O-of course, Mr. Falcone! I understand, sir! Thank you, sir!"
"Good." I lower him back down to the floor. "Now get the fuck out."
The Cirilo man stumbles over himself trying to get out, and as soon as the basement door shuts behind him, I leave, heading home.
I hope that my message will be taken seriously, but even if it isn't, at least I tried.
When I get back to the house, Ashton is waiting for me. He seems a little flustered, which is unusual for him, and when he sees me, he holds up a small, long black velvet box.
"This just arrived for Miss Daisy," he says, his expression confused.
I chuckle, glad for the break in tension Ashton's puzzlement brings. "It's not an engagement ring. Calm down."
Ashton looks equally relieved and disappointed. "Oh. Yeah. I guess that makes sense. Getting engaged while there's still a hit out would be weird, right? And you two just met, and—"
"Don't worry about it, man." Taking the box, I go to pass him, clapping him on the shoulder as I go. "Plus, when I do propose, I'll be using my grandmother's ring."
Ashton's eyes bulge, and for once, he actually looks speechless. Chuckling, I head upstairs to where Daisy is resting. I open the door to her room and find her sleeping, probably emotionally exhausted from the horrible fucking day she's had. Part of me wants to wake her up and claim her like I've been meaning to for two days now, but seeing her resting peacefully makes me think twice. I've waited this long, I guess another damned night won't hurt me.
Within an hour, I've showered and poured myself a glass of scotch and I'm sitting on my personal balcony watching the stars and trying to force myself to unwind. I hear her before I see her, and while the initial noise makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up, the sound of her bare feet on the floor tells me immediately that it's not a threat. It's my angel.
I turn as she reaches the open balcony door to find her illuminated by the soft bedroom light. She glows, dressed only in a nightgown that barely reaches the tops of her thighs. Her hair falls down her back, her lips are parted slightly, and she's looking at me with a mix of uncertainty and desire.
"What's wrong?" I ask, and she shakes her head.
"Nothing. Just... couldn't sleep."
Standing, I set aside my scotch and walk towards her, crossing the balcony. It's late and we're both tired, but the second my hands touch Daisy's skin, I feel electricity jolt through me. She looks up, and our eyes meet.
"I lied," she breathes while I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. "Something is wrong."
"What, angel? Anything that is in my power to give you, I will."
"You." The single word hits me like a fireball, lighting every one of my nerves up. "I want you, and I can't stop thinking about you. Dominic, will you take me to bed?"
6
DAISY
When Dominic doesn't reply, my heart sinks.
Oh, God. I've overstepped. I thought this was what he wanted, he said so many times, and the way he kissed me.
But, then, he reaches out, touching my cheek, and when I look up, he's smoldering. All his desire and lust are plain in his eyes, and he draws a shuddering breath.
"Are you sure, Daisy? We can wait until all this has blown over—"
I shake my head. "I don't want to wait anymore."
"Fuck." He pulls me against him, kissing me so hard I gasp. His tongue dips into the cavern of my mouth, and I can feel my body melting. Dominic's hard chest is firm against mine, and then, with an arm under my knees and another wrapped around my back, he scoops me up. He carries me back into the bedroom and lays me gently on the bed.
Dominic stares down at me, hunger in his eyes. He reaches out and tugs down one strap of my nightgown, and then the other.
"I've fantasized about you like this," he growls. "You're like a dream, Daisy. My sweet, innocent angel."
I bite my lip, and as he pulls the top of the nightgown down, he makes a rumbling sound deep in his chest when he sees that I'm not wearing anything underneath. My breasts jiggle with the movement, nipples puckering in the open air.
"God, Daisy, you're so beautiful."