“Why couldn’t I just wear my jeans?” Ellie asked, coming out of the bathroom, wearing the red dress he’d purchased for her.
She stood before him, her long locks pinned up with a few cascading around her face. No makeup, as he preferred her without, and the red, figure-hugging dress he’d seen today as he was dealing with some of Giavanni’s clients who hadn’t paid their bills. All in all, he’d broken seven fingers, two legs, and six arms, and had shot someone in the forehead.
“Because I want you to wear that.”
She rolled her eyes, and he couldn’t resist pulling her against him. “You’re telling me you don’t like it?”
“It’s pretty, but if we’re going to a nightclub, jeans are more my style.”
“You’re going to the nightclub with me. You’re the one who wanted a date night. This is exactly the kind of date I’d like.”
“You’re the one who’s always in charge. I get it. I didn’t agree to this, though. With jeans, I can, you know, get away easier.”
“You’re not going to need to get away.” He held out the shoes he’d also purchased with the dress. “I’ll be by your side and I’ll protect you.”
“My knight?”
“That’s what I am.” Everyone else saw him as a monster, someone to be feared, but he rather liked being Ellie’s knight.
She took the heels from him. “Do you remember me talking to you about Casey?”
He paused. She’d finally opened up to him over the course of the last couple of nights about her best friend.
Casey hadn’t been in touch. Ellie had been texting her, wanting to meet up, but Casey was avoiding her.
He knew why and now he was pissed. No one ignored his woman.
“Yes, I remember her.”
“She’s acting weird and believe me, I get her being a bit strange. I’m kind of worried about her. I hate to say this, but she went home with a guy the night I met you. I’m trying not to freak out. I don’t want to phone her parents because they’ll be upset that she’s not playing the proper role they expect of her. They don’t like our friendship. I’m the hired help and their daughter can do better.”
“You want me to make sure she’s alive?”
“Yes, please, yes. She always said her parents wouldn’t care if she was alive or dead, and seeing as I haven’t heard from her, I’m worried. I’m trying not to freak out. I know I shouldn’t worry. She’s a grown woman.”
“You’re her best friend. You’ve got a right to worry.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you. I will pay you whatever fee you require.”
“Kiss me,” he said.
“What?”
“Kiss me.”
She went on her toes, and he was careful not to mess up her hair as he took possession of her mouth. As he slid his tongue inside, she moaned, meeting his with hers, and he tasted her.
Exquisite.
Pulling away, he smiled down at her. “Debt is repaid. I’ll look into it.”
“Thank you.”
She kissed him again.
“Now, let’s go and have some fun before I decide this date night is supposed to be me and you in bed while I fuck every single part of you, mouth, pussy, and ass.”
Her cheeks went red. “You know, you have a way with words.”
Taking her hand, he led the way out of their apartment. They’d been together over a week, which was strange because he felt like they’d been together longer.
She hugged against his side and he watched her in the doors of the elevator.
Ellie was a breath of fresh air against all the madness of his life. She wouldn’t be able to accept him. They’d watched a couple of gruesome movies over the past few days and she hadn’t been able to look at the television. He did similar actions on a daily basis. His life was the complete opposite of hers, and she couldn’t even stand to watch it.
After helping her into the car, he moved to the driver’s side and slid in. He turned over the ignition, pulled out of the private parking, and drove toward the club.
Ellie looked out of the car, and he’d come to see she’d have moments of complete silence. He never knew what was going through her head, but she was the kind of woman to share her thoughts with him, so he was never worried about it.
Arriving at the club, he parked the car, once again in private parking, and paused when he caught sight of Raphael’s vehicle. He’d kept Ellie away from his world.
She climbed out of the car and moved to his side. “What is it?”
“Nothing.”
Taking her hand, he knew he was going to have to deal with this someway. He’d hoped to be better prepared.
“Wait, don’t we have to queue?” she asked.
“I know the managers. I help them from time to time. I’m always first in.”
A couple of men in the line started to protest, but all it took was one look from him to silence them.