Otherwise Occupied (Evan Arden 2)
“You know what you need, Evan?” Rinaldo questioned.
I shook my head.
“A good woman, that’s what. A woman who is actually capable of getting through that thick head of yours.”
I half smiled and blew a sharp breath out of my nose. I blinked away thoughts of the flowing dark hair of the woman in the cabin.
“You got any suggestions, boss?”
He looked me in the face, and his expression changed as his smile faltered. His face became a mask of worry as he motioned for me to sit in the chair opposite his desk and told Mario to wait outside.
I sat down somewhat hesitantly. As soon as I sat, the heavy feeling of near unconsciousness shoved inside my brain and made me feel like I was going to fall over. I was pretty sure if I closed my eyes even for a second, I’d fall over onto the floor. The problem was I’d be awake ten minutes later – sweating and maybe even screaming.
I had to get some sleep.
“I’ll tell you something, Evan,” Rinaldo said as he leaned back in his chair and folded his hands together. “There is something I was considering.”
“Considering, sir?”
“My daughter, Luisa.”
My muscles wanted to stiffen significantly, but I forced myself to remain still and calm. Something wasn’t right – he wasn’t smiling or anything like he might have been if he was going to suggest I date her, but he didn’t seem angry at all like he might have thought I touched her without permission. I couldn’t read him – not at all.
I definitely needed some sleep. I was totally off my game.
“Your daughter, sir?”
“You know her.”
It was a statement, not a question, but I nodded anyway.
“You are only three years apart in age,” he remarked. “She is a beautiful girl.”
Again, I nodded as I watched him closely, but he wasn’t giving me any signs to indicate where this conversation was going. My hands went clammy, and I could feel my heart pounding in my wrists.
“I considered you for her,” he finally said. He leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk as his hands folded beneath his chin. “I considered you for a long time.”
Considered – past tense. Considered only – not offering. I had done something wrong, but I had no idea what he was getting at. Was it because of my fuckup last year? I thought all had been forgiven at this point. Did finding Ashton’s body somehow cause concerns? Every indication in the news said the authorities were stumped.
Because I killed the fucking pimp?
It wasn’t that I wanted Luisa. She was beautiful and obviously from a very powe
rful family, and that came with a whole lot of perks I found interesting, no doubt. However, I didn’t want her any more than I wanted any other woman in my life.
Well, except maybe one.
I couldn’t think of anything to say, so I just kept the eye contact and waited. I had to be pretty damn patient, too.
“In many ways, you are the perfect choice,” he said quietly when he finally decided I had sweated it out enough. “I have no son – so this is all hers.”
Rinaldo waved his hand around the room, but of course he didn’t mean the office or the building – he meant all of the businesses. I raised a brow but wasn’t stupid enough to ask about Nick at that point. Biology aside, he wasn’t going to let the illegitimate child that far inside. He was lenient enough with the guy as it was.
“Luisa is a strong woman like her mother, and she could take care of it, but having a man such as yourself looking after her would be a substantial bonus. It would keep those who might believe her to be an easier target at bay. There are also some who might feel a woman is not to be taken seriously, and I would trust you to take care of anyone who insulted her.”
“Thank you, sir.”
He went quiet for a moment.