“Banged it my ass. There’s fucking finger marks on it,” he said, twisting her arm a little to get a better look.
“Aspen, did you meet up with Andrei at his restaurant LaFonte?” Winter asked her.
“That’s none of your business.”
“Fuck it isn’t!” Zen yelled out. They were all gathered around her now. Weston released her hand and cupped her neck and cheek. She felt his other hand go to her waist.
Weston Galloway was tall with dark brown hair and deep green eyes. He was very trim and muscular, dressed casually in his designer black T-shirt and blue jeans.
“Baby, you need to tell us what went down in that meeting. You can’t handle this alone.”
So many things went through her head. How badly she wanted to trust them to confide in them and tell them that she was doing this to save them, her brother, and India. But she couldn’t. They would place her in hiding or something and freak out and then Andrei would succeed in taking over all their companies and territory she just recently learned these men occupied. So they weren’t involved with the mafia in a minor way. They were knees deep.
“I am alone. I get that now. Storm and Zin proved to me where you all really stand and how alone I am in this life for however long it is.”
Weston reached back and cupped her head.
“You’re not alone. You have us, Porter, and India.”
“I don’t need to hear it. You all made it clear to me. I’m fine, and I’m working things out with Andrei. He hasn’t asked for much. Just my company,” she said and started to pull away.
Weston’s hands gripped her firmer, keeping her in pla
ce.
“That fucking bastard can’t have you,” he said as the others made similar statements.
“Don’t worry, I don’t need to spread my legs just yet.” She pulled from Weston’s hold. She knew she sounded bitchy, but what they did to her, how Storm and even Zin kissed her obviously to prove a point was still fresh on her mind.
She saw Weston look at Storm and Winter as if he wanted to say something and then Storm shook his head.
“That offer is still on the table with working for us. We’re still in charge of keeping you safe, and Porter said you’re not answering his calls. We all think you need to go back to Texas and work at Pro-Tech until this shit blows over with Andrei,” Storm told her.
“Oh really? Is that what you all decided?” She asked, knowing she couldn’t come off too easily about this even though it was her plan to return and weed out the shits infiltrating their company.
“Yes. Porter will be returning from Europe this week and expects you to be at the company. He’s worried, just like the rest of us are.”
“Oh, I’m sure he is, Storm. I’m certain you explained how weak I am and how much trouble I got myself into?”
“Aspen, just accept the protection. We know how to handle men like Andrei,” Zin told her.
She shot him a look. “I’m sure you do. I’ll think about it. Considering that I have work to do with Clarence as well in Texas, I’ll see if I have the time to retrain your employees.”
“You will have the time. I spoke with Dmitri today and your services will no longer be needed with the project except on a minor level leaving you plenty of time to work for us,” Winter informed her.
“What? How could you? Why would Dmitri agree to this?”
“He had no choice. We’ve claimed ownership of you for your protection. Andrei can’t touch you or contact you without our consent, and that isn’t going to happen,” Storm told her.
“And if I deny this ownership of protection I’m assuming is some sort of mafia rule,” she snapped at him with her arms crossed in front of her. She was planning on this and so was Andrei, the slimy bastard.
“We’ll make your life a living hell. All of your assets will be frozen leaving you no means of escape or available resources to plan an escape. Now that we know what you’re capable of, we’re ready to take the necessary precautions,” Weston said.
Zin and York smiled.
“Welcome to Pro-Tech Industries. Pack your bags, sweetheart, the plane leaves tonight,” York said. She gave them the best dirty look she could when really she was relieved the plan worked.
She would save these men, her brother, and India, and she would destroy Andrei once and for all. Even if it cost her the love of five men, and her life.