MelinaThat news about knocks me over. “You were a cop?”“Yeah and don’t hold it against me. The work I do now is more to my liking.”I can barely wrap my head around it. “Is escort work legal?” I ask. As far as I know it isn’t, but Mak and the surroundings don’t add up.“Escort work is legal, what the girls do as part of that work, no. Your job is answering phones and scheduling. The men for the most part keep their requests on the down-low. We keep records on all of them and they know it. Requesting an escort to accompany them to events is legal and that’s all you’ll be scheduling. Do you have a problem with it?”“Nope,” I say as I shake my head. “Will I work behind the front desk?” I look down at my jeans and tee. I like them, but they don’t fit this amazing place.“I have the fashion consultant the ladies use coming to measure you this afternoon.” She holds up her hand. “You can spend as little or as much as you choose and yes, you can make payments. The girls tip well when they h
AustinI’ve been unable to locate Fernandez and it’s driving me insane. Moon has Melina on lockdown or I would have her back at my home right now. The waiting is killing me, but first her brother needs to die so she’s safe.I’m sparring with Andreas and he’s taking a beating because of my irritability. He taps out again and I curse, “You’re getting fucking soft in your old age.”“Fuck you, age has nothing to do with it,” he says when I release him and he scrambles off the floor for the third time. “That woman is causing you problems, boss.”My right leg kicks out and sweeps his, sending him back to the mat. “What woman?” I challenge through heavy breaths.He only laughs and rolls into my legs, grabbing me at the knees and taking me down half on top of him. I outweigh him by thirty pounds, so it’s not his greatest move. We wrestle on the mat until I secure him in an arm bar and cut off his air. He taps out and I grab my towel and head out of the room following a long sigh of disgust.H
MelinaCelina throws a punch to my head, which I block. “Getting better there, sweetheart,” she says while trying again with a left hook. Even sweaty, Celina is a knockout. Her ponytail makes her look badass. Her designer workout gear is black with a turquoise stripe slashing across the front. I want to hate her just for being perfect, which is impossible because she’s so damn nice.I block the next punch too. “I’m a quick learner and besides, you hit like a girl.” Yeah I’m on my ass after that remark, but it feels good. I like knowing I will eventually be able to defend myself. It’s thirty minutes before dinner. If I’m not showered and looking respectable, Gabriella will kick me out of the dining room. Celina and I are in the same boat and conclude our workout to keep the wrath of Gabriella off our backs.Getting the shit beat out of me is a good way to keep Austin out of my mind. Too bad it doesn’t work for more than a few minutes after I leave the gym. I head to my room and grab a
AustinIt’s after midnight when I arrive at the Scottsdale Airport. I use an air service when traveling and Andreas managed to arrange a late flight. He’s included himself in the travel itinerary and he’s back on my needs-to-be-beat list.“I’m your protection. It looks bad for you to go into another territory without me. You should have more than just one bodyguard, but I didn’t figure you’d go for it,” he said before we boarded the small jet.He was right.I’ve thought about how to approach Moon’s home since we left. I still don’t have a set plan. There’s a rental vehicle waiting, and I ponder how to deal with Moon while Andreas navigates the streets. When Victor was alive, we visited Moon’s place about once a year. Cindy came along even though Victor rarely involved her in business. Cindy enjoyed Madison’s company, so Victor gave in.We hit the tight road leading up to the front gate and two vehicles pull out and block us, causing Andreas to abruptly stop the car. I step out unarmed
MelinaI’m having trouble registering what Mak is telling me. “He pissed on me after drugging me?”“Yes. Gabriella and I bathed you before putting you in bed. You smelled like piss, but I had no idea why and Moon didn’t volunteer the information.”So many things go through my mind. “Why would he do that?”“He marked his territory, or so Moon told me last night when he finally came to bed. Who knows why men do stupid shit. I’ll put a bullet in his dick if you say the word.”I like the sound of it. “Where is he now?”“He’s downstairs having breakfast. We’re leaving by the side door and you won’t be seeing him until this evening. The first round of clothing will be delivered today and we’ll have you popping so Austin knows what he’s missing when you kick his ass to the curb.”I look down for a moment and then meet Mak’s gaze. “I don’t want to see him at all. I have nothing to say to him.”Mak sits beside me on the bed and takes my hand. “I think you have feelings for him and it all start
AustinAndreas glares and I glare back. “Someday you’ll act like a boss, boss.”“And someday you’ll stay out of things that don’t concern you, fuck head.”“Name calling, I’m impressed.”“Fuck you!”He only laughs.“Why the hell do I make other men shake in their boots but you have no fear?” I ask.Andreas looks down at his feet for a moment and then meets my gaze again. “You’re loyal. You protected Victor with your life and earned my respect. You’re straight up and I respect that too. Victor thought of you as a son. He knew what he was doing when he left you his territory. The other men feel the same. I’m ready to take over your old job and serve you or help the person you choose to do it. You just need to step in and fill the right shoes. They’re not too big for you.”He’s pegged the entire problem in a few short sentences. I don’t feel I can fill Victor’s shoes because no one can. “You know I’d kill you if I had to.”He shakes his head and smiles. “That I’ve never doubted. What the
MelinaMak looks at me in frustration. “How the hell did he get into your room?”I’ve just told her most of the story about last night. “He said Moon knew.”Mak swears. “That man needs to stop with the matchmaking or at least let me in on it. I’m pissed off and he’ll get an earful at breakfast.”It’s Monday and my day off. I’m looking forward to some quality time in the gym sparring with Celina. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”She rolls her eyes. “Don’t thank me. I’m not happy to lose a good employee.”“I’m not that good.”“You don’t give yourself enough credit. You’ve only screwed up one appointment and I still think you did it to Lina on purpose.”I smile and look away, giving my silent answer. “I’ll miss you.”She pulls me in for a hug and I squeeze back. “I’ll miss you more, believe me. You’ll need to visit more often than Cindy and you’re always welcome here permanently if things don’t work out with asshole.” Mak and Celina both refer to Austin as asshole now.“He’s my asshole.”
AustinIt’s been two weeks and whatever hole Fernandez is living in is keeping him alive. Moon has the same opinion. He’s underground and we need to bide our time. Usually I’m patient when it comes to killing. That’s not holding true right now.The only positive is my team. Andreas is my official enforcer and I’ve moved others around and increased security at the house. Melina will be living here and what happened to Cindy will not happen to her. The house needs to be a fortress and that’s exactly what I’m going for. The repairs are finished from where Fernandez’s men blasted through the wall, and I’ve added a little extra to the mix in case anyone tries again. I’ve been in contact with a dog handler and he’s purchasing top K9s for me. I’ve also talked to Moon in depth about his security measures for Mak. Andreas is in charge of finding Melina a team of bodyguards. If she wants to leave the house, they’ll accompany her everywhere. If she doesn’t agree, there’s always the basement. I w