Possessive Daddy Next Door

She laughs and leans toward me. I kiss her softly on the plump, delicious lips. “It’s okay. You’re just a big, strong man, that’s all.”

“I was an undercover agent,” I grumble. “But I’ve lost a lot of that. Now I’m just a single dad.”

“And you need to protect Tab. I get it.”

“That’s right. If your mom can solve this problem without more bloodshed, I can guarantee Tab won’t get hurt. That’s my highest priority.” I hesitate for a long moment. “That, and making sure you’re safe, too.”

“You don’t have to say that.”

“I know. But it’s the truth. You’re the other good thing in my life now, Del. You know that, don’t you?”

She looks away. “I think I do.”

“You better learn it.” I lean toward her, a growl on my lips. I take her hair and pull her toward me, kissing her hard. I need her to feel my desire for her, need her to understand how much I want her. The kiss lingers a long moment before I break it off and press my forehead against hers.

“I hear you,” she whispers. “I really do.”

“Good.”

I release her and stand. She looks up at me. “You want to go talk to her… now?”

I shake my head. “You should shower and get changed. I need to get Tab up and have someone watch over her. This might not be an easy conversation.”

“Okay,” she says then pouts. “You’re saying I don’t look great right now.”

I laugh and lean down to kiss her again. “If I had it my way, we’d stay right here and I’d taste every inch of your gorgeous body. But we have work to do, and your mom is a stickler for appearance.”

“Well, I hate what you’re right.”

I grin, grab the monitor, and walk across the room. I pause at the door. “And Delia. When this is over, I promise… I’ll take care of you.”

She stares at me, her eyes wide. “How?”

“You’ll see.”

I open the door and walk out. I head back to my own room, my mind already whirling through a list of possible plans.21DeliaI come out of the shower feeling fresh and clean. I get dressed and stand in front of the mirror for a long time. My ears ring from the gunshots still and I don’t know how to get them to stop. I work my jaw then sigh, leaning my head against the glass mirror. The cool, smooth surface feels good against my warm skin.

This is insane. I don’t know how else to put it.

Mobsters want to kill the man I’m falling for. They broke into my house. They shot guns, hurt one of our staff.

And now we’re going to my mother to ask for her help, to see if she can use her mob connections to make a difference.

It’s insane. I don’t know how else to put it. This is all so insane.

I stand up and straighten my spine. I can’t fall apart now. I have to stay strong. Even if I want to lie down and sleep for another ten hours, even if this ringing in my ears is driving me nuts, I still need to go forward. I need to do it for Max and for Tab.

And for myself.

To prove that I’m strong. That I’m more than just a failure. I can pick up and keep going. I can pick up my head and march.

So I get dressed. I put on a conservative outfit, just a simple sweater and tight, dark jeans. I put on nice shoes, do my makeup and my hair, and head over to Max’s room. He answers on the second knock and his eyes go wide.

“Wow,” he says.

I smile a little. “What?”

“You look amazing.”

“I just got dressed, like you said.”

“You got more than dressed. You look fucking sexy.”

I get up on my tiptoes and kiss him. He lets out a little growl and pulls me into the room. I stumble into his arms and he pulls me tight against him.

“Tab is with the staff down in the kitchen,” he whispers. “Think we have some time?”

I laugh and hit his chest with my palms. “Come on. Get it together.”

“Can’t help myself with you.”

“Try. We’ll have time for that later.”

He purrs and kisses my neck. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

I laugh and push him away. He grins and takes a deep breath.

“Ready?” I ask.

“Let’s get this over with. My pride is officially stowed away.”

“Come on, it’s not that bad.”

He frowns as he opens the door and we step into the hall. “I know it might seem like a big deal to you, but…” He trails off. “I never ask for help. I’ve always been that way. Even when I went on the run from the mob, I did it on my own, without the department’s help. I’ve always handled my own problems.”