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)
No, I can't let her go. I need her to stay, and I'll do whatever it takes to get her to. So without thinking it through, I make a split-second decision. "So, Ms. Linden, here is what is going to happen. You're going to stay with me. In my home. Starting tonight."
Her gasp and the way her lips part in surprise make me even harder. She looks nervous, like she doesn't quite believe me. "Stay...with you? But Mr. Falcone—"
"Dominic," I interrupt, my voice low. "You're a guest in my house. Call me by my name."
"Okay," she says, her voice shaking. "But Dominic, I don't think—"
"It's settled," I tell her, not leaving any room for argument. "You want me to keep you safe, you stay with me. No argument."
"What about my job?"
"What about it? You aren't going to be going anywhere while you're still in danger. So don't worry about it."
It's clear that she isn't going to take my advice, though. Daisy bites her plump bottom lip, eyebrows drawing together. God, I wonder if that lip-biting is a habit of hers because it sure as hell makes my control fray even more. "I left the backdoor unlocked when I ran from Carlo. I feel horrible! The owner has been so good to me..."
Inwardly, I sigh. Already I'm seeing that she is too good-hearted for her own good. "Give me the store keys. I'll have some of my men go and lock up for you and slip the keys under the door for whoever comes in tomorrow. Then it doesn't have to weigh on your conscience."
Daisy hesitates. "I don't know. What if Carlo and his men are still there? I wouldn't want your people to be in danger."
I'm not one to laugh often, but this makes a smile pull at my mouth. "Angel, listen. Carlo is an amateur, and I am a pro. My men are pros. They'd wipe the floor with him."
I hold out my hand, palm up, and after a second, Daisy lays the store keys in my hand. My skin tingles when it brushes hers, and I have to take a deep breath. I'm a 40-year-old man. I'm not going to come in my pants like a teenager because she touched me.
"There. No need to worry. I want you to write down a list of what you want from your residence, and I'll have a separate group go to retrieve it. As for you, Daisy, I've got a few loose ends to clear up here, so I'm going to have my head of security take you to my home. You'll be safe there, and I'll join you as soon as I can."
She doesn't look happy about that, but she doesn't argue. Smart girl. Instead, she nods, her hair brushing against her cheek. "Thank you, Dominic. I really appreciate all your help. I'll find a way to pay you back. I promise."
There are plenty of ideas in my mind about how she can repay me, but none of them are anywhere near appropriate. "Don't worry about it, angel. It's my pleasure."
She flushes a pretty shade of red, and I go to my desk to get her paper and a pen so she can make a list of what she's going to need while she's staying with me. As much as I want to keep her in the office and drive her home myself, I have a little bit of footwork to do tonight regarding my disappointment of a son.
"Mario will show you out," I tell her. "My head of security, Ashton, will be waiting for you in front of the restaurant. I'll let him know the deal, and I'll see you at the house in a few hours."
"I hate to be taking up space in your home..."
"I have more room than I know what to do with."
Daisy has perched on the corner of my desk while she writes her list, and I can't resist coming a little closer, pulling up a picture of the estate on my phone just for an excuse to be as near to her as possible. "It's about an hour's drive, but this piece of property has been in my family for two generations now. I had the house updated so I know you'll be comfortable."
Daisy's lips part, her perfect teeth nibbling on the edge of the pen. "Okay. I just...thank you, Dominic." She leans in to look at the picture and her eyes go wide.
I'm not a man who boasts, but looking at my property through her eyes, I can't help but puff up a little. It's a sprawling estate, with acres upon acres of land, the gardens, the pool, the stables. It's the epitome of luxury. And she'll be there, sleeping in one of the bedrooms, and I'll be within shouting distance.
The thought shouldn't make me as excited as it does, but it's the best fucking news I've heard all day.