Shadow Warrior (Shadow Riders 4)

“I like watching over you, Grace,” he assured. He finished off the last of his coffee and stood. “I want to show you the rest of the house. You can call Katie and ask her to come out here for your meeting. I think she’d like to see for herself that you’re alive and well. She has made inquiries several times a day, every day since you were shot.”

She shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was. Katie had often asked her to go out with her, a dinner or dancing. Katie loved to go clubbing, but Grace had been afraid to spend too much time with her outside of work. After Haydon had made his threat, she was extremely grateful she hadn’t made the mistake. He would have really focused his attention and threats on Katie.

Now, he had a real target—Vittorio.

The thought made her heart pound and her hands clench in sudden fear. She couldn’t stand idly by and let Vittorio get hurt because of her. She wanted him with every breath she took. She wanted the lifestyle he was offering her. She wanted him—Vittorio Ferraro. But there was Haydon, and Haydon never lost.

Grace sucked in a breath. Forced her hands to unclench. “I appreciate all that you’ve done for me, Vittorio, and all that you’re offering. But I honestly think it best if we don’t keep up this engagement.”

“We already discussed this, gattina. You’re getting spooked all over again. The announcement was made official by the family and has already been in the news. There isn’t any taking it back. I know you’re thinking you can protect me, but it doesn’t work that way. In my world, I’m the one doing the protecting.” Vittorio put his hand under her good arm and helped her out of the chair. “Merry will get the dishes,” he added when he saw her looking at them as if she might clear the table.

Grace should have made her protest stick and she felt like a coward when she didn’t. She couldn’t help but feel cared for. It was his tone. His posture. Everything about him. She found him very hard to resist, and if she was truthful with herself, she wasn’t trying that much.CHAPTER SEVENThe house opened from one room directly into the next, each with spacious, high ceilings. The foyer opened up into a library, living room, and sitting room that was a little cozier than some of the other spaces for visiting and relaxing with family or guests. The house had several living and family rooms, and Vittorio took Grace past the library straight to his favorite.

The sitting room faced the pool and had a large, open entrance that could be closed off if desired by glass doors and blackout curtains. The furniture consisted of the most comfortable deep, warm chairs, while the room had cool tile flooring and seagrass-textured walls. A covered porch ran the length of the swimming pool, which could be seen from the open doors, adding to the peaceful feeling Vittorio always got around water.

In the shade provided by the covered porch, several chairs and tables sat near an outdoor kitchen and barbecue combination for alfresco cooking. Before she sat down, Grace went straight to the open glass doors to take in the view. He stood behind her looking as well. The pool stretched out in a long, blue invitation, and beyond it was a rolling grass hill, scattered ornamental trees and the lake. The sun shone down on the surface, turning it into a crystal-blue jewel nestled among the trees.

“This is beautiful. I can see why you love this place. I can’t help but feel relaxed and happy just looking at this view and hearing the sound of water.”

He liked that he had added the hot tub above the pool so that water spilled in a series of small falls into the pool. The sound was soothing, and when he was working on learning not to burn everything he grilled, that constant song kept him centered.

“This is one of my favorite spots. I spend quite a bit of time here.” He settled his fingers on the nape of her neck. Touching her and feeling her relax beneath his hand made him happy.

She tipped her head up, looking at him over her shoulder. “Can you barbecue?”

He leaned down to brush a kiss over the smirk on her face. “I have some skills with the grill, but I have to admit, cooking is not my forte. What about you?”

“I had plenty of time to get interested in various subjects when I was afraid to leave my home in case Haydon followed me and went after anyone I talked to. Cooking was one of them. Am I any good? Absolutely not, but I can bake.”

“So, you’re telling me we’ll have to live on cookies?” He’d never thought he would have this—teasing with a woman, stripping himself bare and being accepted for who he was. She hadn’t committed fully, but he could sense she wanted to.