Rocco's Atonement

“Wait, this was a set up?” I ask, trying to wrap my head around the fact that Noah and Linc knew Rocco would see me. “How did you know I was here?” I turn to look at Rocco. He pulls my hand he’s barely let go of up to his lips and kisses the back of it.

“I’ve been sitting outside your condo every night since I walked away from you. I watch you go out in the mornings and then I head to the precinct to work.”

“I saw you that first day and a couple of others, but I didn’t know you were there all night.”

“Yep.” He pops the P, and I realize he would only be sitting out there if he cared. Now I kind of wish I had said yes to takeout so we could go back to his place and talk.

I enjoy dinner as I visit and get to know everyone. The girls ask me what I’m wearing to the ball, and I look at them confused.

“I haven’t asked her to go yet, but she will be going with me.” Rocco stops his conversation with Linc and Noah to clarify.

“A ball?”

“That’s what they call it, it’s really just a nice dinner and some dancing.”

“It’s to honor police officers. I heard Rocco and Zeke are getting awards.” Kenzie looks at me in shock. “I can’t believe he only gave you a week to get a dress. I’ll come over tomorrow and we can get started on finding you one.”

I think of all the dresses in my closet already. “I’m fairly certain I have a nice gown I could wear if he asks me.”

“I just told you I was going to take you, Ever. I wouldn’t go with any woman but my woman.” I look at him in shock. I’m his woman.

“You’ll get used to their Neanderthal ways soon enough.” Rylee giggles. “Linc usually just says, ‘Me man, you my woman.’” She tries to sound like a caveman.

“I’ll show you when we get home, woman.” Linc’s gravelly voice goes lower. I blush from their conversation.

I’ve had a fun evening and hate that it has to end. I met Noah’s mom and uncle too, who own and run the restaurant. Everyone has been really nice to me.

When Noah got a call from Geoffrey freaking out that I wasn’t in my condo, he assured him I was safe and that I would be back soon enough. I like that he didn’t tell him where I was, but I know I’ll have to face that when I get back.

It's not that Geoffrey has been controlling, it’s that he’s very protective. He’s scared that Milton is still after me. When I had met with the board of directors, George had to be removed from the premises by security. He tried to claim I was incompetent to run the company. I have a meeting with a psychologist on Monday to talk about competency and to get a referral to a counselor to help me with my nightmares and dealing with everything I’ve gone through.

* * *

Rocco

We walk out of Romano’s with her hand in mine and our fingers laced together. When we get to my Camaro, I open her door and help her down into the seat before I lean over her body to buckle her in. My hand brushes across her breast and I hear her intake of breath. I pull back and kiss her quickly before I close the door and make my way around to the driver’s side.

“Rocco, I—” She stops and bites her lip.

I pull down on her chin to make her release it. “Sweetheart, we’ll talk when we get back to your place.” The urge to lean over and kiss her more is so great, but I want to have her safe, and being out in the open isn’t safe.

Noah had told me when she wasn’t paying attention that he had guards on her the whole way to the restaurant and they would follow us back. I also know that she has a couple of trackers on her so they can’t lose her. That’s why Geoffrey called Noah. He wanted him to find out where she was, and when Noah told him he knew exactly where she was and that she was safe, Geoffrey dropped it. We make our way back uptown, and when I pull into her condo entrance, she turns to look at me in confusion.

“I thought we were going back to your place?”

“You’re safer here. I’m going to give my keys to the valet to park my car in the garage and I’ll go up with you. We’ll talk and get everything cleared up. Okay, Ever?” She nods. “Now let me help you out. I don’t want anyone to think you’re available in that dress.” She nods again, but I see the confusion in her eyes and will explain that I’ve never felt jealousy until I met her.

She waits for me to help her out of the car, and we make our way into the lobby. She retrieves a keycard from her clutch when we reach the elevator. Linc had told me all about the security in the building, as well as S.I. having a direct feed into her security cameras. The elevator arrives, and I guide her inside with my hand against the small of her back. My body is hyperaware of hers, as always. I love that she drives me crazy with just a slight touch.

As soon as the doors close, I turn and push her toward the wall and lift her chin to look up at me. She doesn’t cringe away in fear of me. She sighs and I watch has her lids slowly close, then I descend on her mouth. We kiss, me trying to keep it PG because I know Noah can see me, as well as anyone sitting at the lobby desk. I don’t want anyone to see my girl when she is full of desire for me. The ping of the elevator barely registers, but the clearing of a throat has me spinning, gun in hand, and pushing Guinevere into the corner with my body protecting hers.

“Well, at least I know you’ll kill for her.” Geoffrey’s voice is like a bucket of ice to my libido. I holster my gun and pull Guinevere into my arms. “Guin, you had me scared when I came up to see if you wanted to watch a movie together. I felt bad that you were in on a Friday evening.”

“Geof, I’m so sorry. I wanted to have dinner with Noah and his wife. Rocco surprised me.” She tips her head up and smiles.

“I’m sure he did. Well, I’ll let you two be.” Geoffrey moves past us into the elevator as we step out. “I’d like a word with you for a moment, Rocco,” he says.

I kiss Ever on the forehead to reassure her I’m not going anywhere. “I’ll be right here. You go take off those heels.”

She moves away, turning back several times to watch me as she steps into what must be the living room. I wait until she’s out of sight before turning back to Geoffrey, who is holding the elevator from closing.

“Yes.”

I know he’s wondering if I’m staying.