Even his name is strong, sexy, and appealing. Everything about him is dangerous. I need to get the hell out of this vehicle before I do something I might regret.

  Get it together, Mia, I scold myself and slowly open my eyes.

  “Mr. Santoro,” I begin, fighting my trembling voice, “am I your hostage?”

  “Hostage?” he busts into laughter. I turn in my seat and stare at him in disbelief.

  “Sex slave?” My eyebrow raises and his laughter stops as though it was cut off by an ax. He abruptly pulls the car over. Panic fills me. Why did I have to ask him that question? Now, he’s probably royally pissed off at me and going to smack me around or–

  “Mia, I don’t know what kind of men you are used to but I would never hurt a woman or force her to do anything sexual with me. It isn’t how I was raised and I’d rather die than do either of those things. I had planned to bring you to the house, sit down with you, and offer you a job since I can’t just let you go; however, I don’t want you thinking that I’m so woman beater or sexual predator so if you’d like–”

  He hits the unlock button on the door.

  “You can leave and I’ll just have a few of my guys keep tabs on you for a while until I feel reassured that you aren’t going to rat us out to the fu– to the cops,” he finishes with his words between clenched teeth.

  I’ve offended him to a whole other level. A tough guy like him takes beating and harming women as an extreme insult. I always figured thugs didn’t have a code of honor. Hanna had told me that he had rules; however, I didn’t believe it until now.

  Nico can’t even look at me. He has a death grip on the steering wheel and his eyes are locked straight ahead as he takes deep breaths. I shouldn’t feel bad for him; after all, I did witness him stabbing someone, but why is my gut in knots knowing that he’s upset with me?

  “I’m sorry,” I whisper. “I am scared out of my mind. I’m new to Chicago and everything has gone wrong. I was just trying to do a good deed and check on the woman screaming in the room next door and now here I am, a witness to a crime. I’m from a small town in the middle of nowhere. I’m not used to any of this. I don’t know the rules of the city and damn sure don't know how I should be acting in this situation. I’m just… I’m just scared. And I’m sorry if I offended you,” I blurt at the speed of light.

  “You don’t need to apologize, Mia,” Nico sighs. “You didn’t ask for any of this.”

  His grip on the steering wheel loosens. He looks over at me.

  “I’m really sorry. I didn’t mean to lose my temper. It was supposed to be a simple night but it turned into a complicated mess. I’m a bit on edge and despite how things seem, I’m trying to do right by you,” he states.

  “Right by me?”

  “Yes,” he nods. “I sent Hanna back to her country so she can go about her life without worrying about me lurking over her shoulder. Your situation is a little more complicated. I can’t just let you go. I could, but I wouldn’t get a single minute’s sleep as long as you were out there and I know you could bring down my entire empire.”

  His sudden confession has me in awe. It shouldn’t but it does. I find myself hanging onto every single word he speaks.

  “Will you, please, come back to my place? We can talk while we eat, if you’re hungry and figure out the next move. You’re new in town so I can offer you a job.” His words have my ears perking up.

  “What kind of job?”

  “Any job. Name it and it’s yours.”

  “Why would you give me a job?”

  “Honestly?” he asks, sighing.

  “Yes. Honestly,” I say, bracing myself for impact.

  “You’re a loose end, Mia, and I need to keep you by my side,” he replies. “I can’t hurt you. I refuse to threaten you. Keeping you by my side will keep us both safe. If word gets out that I let a witness walk without repercussions, things could get ugly for both of us.”

  “For me?” I gasp.

  “I know you’re new here, but I’m not just some schmuck off the street. I have a reputation to uphold.”

  Why does that sound so sexy? I shake away the thought. Now isn’t the time to be drooling over him. This situation is dire. I should be scared out of my mind, screaming, crying, something; not thinking about how attractive he sounds.

  “You okay?” he chuckles, waving a hand in front of my face.

  “Yes. Yes. I’m fine. Just…” I let my words trail off.

  “I see,” he smirks, clearly amused by me being flustered. “Well, will you do me the honor of at least coming to my house to talk?”

  It would be fair. The man could easily have me swimming with the fish or buried six feet underground in the middle of nowhere. I should consider myself lucky that he was the one in charge and not someone from one of the old mob movies I watched when I was younger.

  “I accept your offer, Mr. Santoro,” I hold out my hand. He looks at it and smiles before placing his much larger hand in mine.

  “Just Nico,” he replies huskily, shaking my hand and sending a shiver down my spine.

  I just made a deal with the devil and despite what I previously thought, I’m pretty sure I’m going to like it.

  Chapter Eight

  Nico

  The rest of the drive was in silence. It wasn’t quite awkward but it wasn’t anything to brag about either. More of a silent understanding between us.

  When the gates to the compound opened, Mia sat up straight in her seat and looked around with her eyes wide as I drove up the driveway towards the house. She reminded me of a little kid on Christmas. When I helped her out of the car and we walked towards the front door between two single-file rows of my guys, Mia’s mouth gaped open slightly. In the foyer, she gasped and looked around as though touring a museum. I felt proud to see her impressed by everything.

  Over dinner, we sat mostly in silence. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to talk but because I wanted to give her time to relax. I only hoped she wouldn’t take my gesture the wrong way.

  At the end of dinner, I had Tommy escort her to the bathroom to freshen up, while I thought about my next move.

  “You good, Boss?” Basque asks, walking into the dining room. He has a shit-eating grin on his face. I hold up my middle finger and he laughs. “That’s what I figured.”

  “Where is Felicity?” I drop my hand to my lap.

  “Probably out on a date,” he mutters, making me laugh.

  He’s had a crush on my sister since we were all kids. Any time Felicity is around, the poor bastard turns to mush. He can barely formulate a sentence. If it was anyone else with the hots for her, I’d probably threaten their life– like the guy she went out with tonight– however, I know Basque would give her the world and lay down his life for her if it came down to it. If he ever decides to grow a pair and ask me for permission to date her, I’d give him my blessing.

  “Chicken shit,” I laugh.

  “Yeah. Yeah. I know, Boss,” he groans. “What are you going to do with this chick?”

  “Mia,” I correct him. He smirks and bows his head slightly.

  “My apologies, Boss,” he says theatrically. “What are you going to do with Mia?”

  Hearing him call her by her first name annoys me. I shake my head.

  “Second thoughts, don’t call her by her first name. Call her Miss Caldwell,” I say, standing.

  “You should know me better than that. I won’t ever try to take something that is yours, Boss,” he assures me, laughing.

  “I know. Just don’t call her Mia. Call her Miss Caldwell. Inform the guys too.”

  “You got it, Boss.” He follows behind me as I walk towards the door.

  “Get someone to prepare the bedroom next to mine. She’ll stay there. Also, tell Tech I need him to bug her phone. It’s in her purse. I’ll give it to you in a minute.”

  “Women hate that shit, Boss.”

  “Hate what?” I stop walking and he nearly runs me over.

  “They don’t like when a man snoops through their stuff or tracks them without telling them.”

  “So? What should I do?”

  “Be upfront. Tell her you’re going to do those things. Women like to have control plus if you’re trying to win her over, honesty is the best way,” he tells me as though he’s a fucking relationship guru.

  “Why are you single again?” I laugh and start walking again.

  “Low blow, Boss. Low blow,” he chuckles.

  We walk into the hallway. Mia is walking towards us with Tommy a few steps behind her. When she’s finally in front of me, I smile.

  “Remember, how in the car I said I have to take precautions to protect myself and you?” I ask.

  “Yes,” she nods, staring up at me.

  I’m not sure why, but I suddenly feel nervous as hell. I feel like she’s staring through my soul with her beautiful hazel eyes. The thought of upsetting her has me scared shitless but as much as I hate to admit it, Basque is right. I need to be upfront with her.

  “With your permission, I’d like to bug your phone,” I finally manage to say.

  Tommy’s eyes widen and he turns his head slightly. Most likely because he knows if I catch him smiling or laughing, there will be hell to pay. He isn’t Mia so he doesn’t get a get-out-of-jail-free card.

  Mia is looking at me in disbelief.

  “You’re really asking me and not just going to do it behind my back?” she asks with an eyebrow raised.

  I can feel Basque’s I told you so look, burning through the back of my head. I want to turn and glare at him, but Mia has my attention captivated.

  “Yes,” I reply. “We got off on the wrong foot and I want to avoid any more misunderstandings.”

  To my surprise, Mia smiles and digs her phone out of her purse. She hands it to me.

  “That simple?” I ask, stunned.

  “Yep. That simple,” she smiles.

  “Thank you, Mia.” I turn and face Basque, who as I thought, has a smug grin on his face. “Wipe it off your face,” I mutter under my breath to him.

  “As you wish, Boss,” he chuckles and then his face goes unreadable.

  “Get this to Tech for me and then return it to Mi– Miss Caldwell.”

  “Sure thing, Boss,” he bows his head, turns, and walks away.

  I gather my composure and then face Mia once more.

  “Care to join me in my study? Or want to go to the theater room?” I ask.

  “You have a theater room?” She once again seems shocked.

  Her reactions make me curious about how she was raised. What was her house like? Did they even own a T.V.? What did she do for fun?

  “Why don’t I give you a tour of the compound?” I offer my arm to her and wait for her answer. To my surprise, she walks over to me without hesitation and loops her arm through mine. “Tommy, you’re dismissed. I’ll escort Miss Caldwell from here.”

  Tommy faces us.

  “I’ll return to my post, Boss,” he says, lowering his head briefly and then walking in the same direction Basque left in.

  “They always call you Boss?” Mia asks, looking up at me.

  “Only until my father is back,” I reply.

  “Is he on vacation?”

  The thought of my father in the hospital pains me. If only he was on vacation. That would make life much simpler.

  “No,” I smile and pat her hand. “Where should we begin the tour? The theater room? Library? Pool?”

  I hope my words will distract her from prying any further. It isn’t a conversation I want to have with her. Honestly, it isn’t something I want to talk to anyone about.

  “Wow. You really do have it all,” she giggles.

  I can tell by the look in her eyes that she still has lots of questions but she’s appeasing me by ignoring her curiosity. For that, I’ll find a way to reward her.

  Chapter Nine

  Mia

  We were supposed to discuss what he planned on doing with me since I was a witness; however, we spent quite some time walking around his gigantic house and talking. It was really nice just spending time with him. Even if he was a mob boss.

  The guy, Basque, brought me my phone. Then Nico showed me the room where I would be staying and then told me to call my parents and let them know I was okay so they wouldn’t worry. He was right. I hadn’t checked in since the bus pulled into the station and my mother had already texted me twenty-six times.

  Reluctantly, I said goodnight to Nico and closed the door to the bedroom. It was one of the hardest things I’ve done. Something inside me desired to be next to him. It was like a gravitational pull like nothing I had ever felt.

  You just need some sleep, I assured myself. I wasn’t one to fall for a guy, especially not a bad boy. A very hot, rich, smart, funny, powerful bad boy. Ugh! It’s going to be a long night.

  I reply to my mother’s text and place my bag on the bed. I remove my hygiene bag, night clothes, and slippers. I put the bag on the fancy lounge chair by the balcony window and then grab the other stuff off the bed before heading into the bathroom.

  I take a quick shower but thoughts of Nico haunt me. I can’t help but wonder what he wears to bed. Does he sleep naked or in silk boxers? How long will he be up? Would he enjoy my company if I decided to throw caution into the wind?

  You need sleep, Mia Caldwell. It’s all I can tell myself as I get out of the shower, wrap in a towel and brush my teeth.

  I hear a faint knock at the bedroom door and quickly make my way to the door. Without thought, I unlock it and swing it open. Nico is standing there. His eyes roam over me from head to toe and then back up to my eyes.

  “I didn’t–” he clears his throat and looks up at the ceiling. “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

  “You didn’t. I was just thinking about you,” I thoughtlessly blurt. Nico looks at me. There’s lust in his eyes and I find myself squirming to dull the sudden throb between my legs.

  “I see,” he says coolie. He looks around the hallway and back at me.

  “You can come in if you’d like.”

  The only way to describe my behavior would be that I’m possessed by lack of sleep. Never in a million years would I have the audacity to approach an attractive man like Nico. He can have any woman in the world with his good looks. I should be ashamed of myself for thinking I could hit on a man like him.

  “If I come in there, I’m afraid I won’t be very gentleman-like,” he grins.

  I grip the doorjamb to keep myself upright. His words have me melting like butter. All thought of reasoning is slowly leaving me and being replaced by wanton thoughts.

  “I just came to say if you needed anything to come knock on my door. Doesn’t matter how late it is,” he says. “And, if you’d like, you can join me for breakfast at eight.”

  Who the hell can think about food right now? That’s the last thing on my mind.

  “Stop looking at me like that, Mia, or I’m going to really welcome you to Chicago,” he warns in a deep, enticing voice.

  I grin and take a step back into the room out of view from anyone coming up the hall. I undo my towel and let it fall to the ground. Nico rushes into the room and closes the door behind him.

  “You, Beautiful, are dangerous,” he states, looking me over.

  I should feel ashamed. I’m completely naked in front of him. He’s the first guy to see me naked. I always made my ex turn the lights off. I was too embarrassed of my body; however, Nico makes me feel sexy with the way his eyes travel across my entire body.

  “Do I look okay?” I whisper, hoping that he isn’t turned off by how I look.

  “Okay?” Nico grins and walks over to me. He leans down to my ear. His warm breath grazes my ear as he whispers, “You look good enough to eat.”

  “Oh, my,” I suck in a sharp breath.

  I’m playing with fire. I’m playing with fire. I’m playing with fire. But damn, fire never looked so good. The way his black suit fits him perfectly, making his olive skin color pop out against it. His chiseled jawline is practically teasing me to trace it slowly with the tips of my fingers.

  “Are you even listening to me, Mia?” Nico chuckles.

  “No,” I reply, not even trying to deny it. The man makes my head swirl when he’s near. I don’t think any sane, straight woman could focus with him around.

  “I asked if you knew what you were getting yourself into.” His eyebrow raises and he crosses his arms in front of his chest.

  “Fun,” I state.

  “Fun?” he laughs. “Just as simple as that.”

  “Of course,” I say but my cheeks are telling on me. They are burning up. They feel like they’ve been set on fire. Probably from my bold face lie because there’s no way I could simply dip no toes in the pool and not want to stay in there, sort of speak.

  “Beautiful,” Nico whispers, taking a step closer and grabbing my hand. He lifts it to his lips and kisses it softly; instantly, melting me. “Don’t try to be someone you’re not.”

  He releases my hand and then bends down, retrieving my towel. He hands it to me and I feel both disappointment and relief wash over me. I never knew the two feelings could coexist at the same time but, at this very moment, they do.

  “Thank you,” I blush and wrap the towel around me.

  I want Nico like there’s no tomorrow but he’s right. If we were to sleep together, I’d want more. And with his position and lifestyle, more is something he probably wouldn’t want to give to a woman like me. Nico needs a woman who comes from money, has the Barbie looks, and has a strong family background. Everything I’m not.

  “I’ll set my alarm and eat breakfast with you… if you’d like,” I say softly.

  “I’d like that,” he smiles and then groans loudly.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I’m so going to kick myself in the ass, later,” he mutters and turns towards the door. I can’t help but laugh. He looks back at me over his shoulder.

  “Like torturing me, Miss Caldwell?” he smirks.

  “I would never dare to torture you, Mister Santoro,” I reply sultry-like.

  “Fuck. I’m heading to my room while I still have the strength,” he mumbles and I find myself biting my bottom lip to keep from laughing. “Sweet dreams, Mia.”

 

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