Plain Jane and the Mafia Beast

When one kid threw several girls into the pool, she smiled and stood up.

Stepping back into the apartment, she took a deep breath. This was her home.

Running her fingers against the wall, she stepped into the corridor that led to two bedrooms. Opening one, she went straight to the window, seeing the view overlooking the city.

This space was amazing.

She was walking into the kitchen when Vincenzo came back into the room.

“Where’s the woman gone?”

“Signed and sealed. This place is now yours.”

“Right now?”

“Yep. We need to go and pack up your apartment.”

“We’re going to need a big truck to bring my furniture.”

“I’ve already called a place I know. They’re going to deliver your furniture here.”

“You’ve given someone else keys to my apartment?” she asked.

He chuckled. “No. You’re having new.”

“Vincenzo?”

“Nope. I’m not going to hear it. This apartment is a lot bigger than yours. You can be pissed at me, but I promised to take care of you. This is me doing my job the best way I know how.” He gripped her hips, pulling her close.

“It’s a job?”

“No. Taking care of you is not a job. Not even close. It’s a pleasure.” He pressed a kiss to her lips. “This was a new first for me today.”

“It was? How?”

“I’ve never been shopping for an apartment for my woman before.”

“You’ve never been in a relationship?”

“Not once. You’re a first.”

“That woman at the restaurant?”

“You don’t even need to worry about her. She doesn’t matter.”

“What about other women? I mean, is this going to be exclusive?” She should have probably asked all of this before agreeing to move into an apartment for him to pay for. Arika hadn’t wanted to change her apartment, but Vincenzo had convinced her that it would be safer for her protection and if he was worried about her, he wouldn’t be able to focus on his job. She didn’t want to think of him getting hurt because of her, and she’d realized how unreasonable she’d been with him over sharing an apartment or at least living together. It didn’t make this any easier for her though. He didn’t want her at his apartment because it wasn’t as safe as he wanted it. She didn’t want to move in with him yet because of what it made her feel like with him helping her financially. She didn’t think she brought much to their relationship as it was. She was so torn over this. She bit her lip, waiting for an answer.

“There’s not going to be anyone else but you.” He stroked her cheek. “How can you even for a second think that there’s someone else in this world that I’d want more than you?”

With that, he dropped his lips against hers and her troubles melted away as if they were nothing.

She could do this.

Have her life and be part of his.

She couldn’t give him up. That wasn’t an option.

Chapter Twelve

“This is a gun range?” Arika asked.

“Yes. This is where I used to come to practice.” Vincenzo climbed out of his car and rounded the vehicle to help her. Heading toward the trunk, he grabbed his case of weapons and locked up his car.

“Do you think it’s a good idea for me to be here?”

“Yes. Plenty of women learn to shoot. I won’t put you in danger.” He took her hand as they made their way inside.

“I wasn’t really worrying about that.”

“You’re just trying to find an excuse to not do this.”

“I don’t like the thought of handling a gun. They’re dangerous, you know. Deadly.”

“I know. That’s the point. You can still shoot to disarm, not to kill.”

“I’d rather not shoot at all.” She wrinkled her nose, and he found her utterly charming. Pinching her nose, he pressed a kiss to her lips, playing with her.

“You’re cute.”

He did the necessary checks before heading toward the back of the shooting range. This place had several different ways of being able to shoot. Rather than take her outside to shoot long range, he’d brought her inside where she could stand in a lane, and he’d be able to show her.

The next best place would be to shoot beer cans in the woods, but he didn’t think she’d go for that.

He put the case on the counter, opening it up and taking out a pistol.

“This seems like a waste of bullets.”

“Come on, Arika. I need to know you can do this.”

Grabbing some ear protection, he placed them on her head and smiled at her. “See, all ready.”

She rolled her eyes.

Stepping behind her, he placed her hand on the gun, covering hers with his. There was already a target pinned up waiting.

“Now, I want you to aim for his chest.”

“Can’t I aim for a shoulder?”

“If something was to ever happen you’re going to need to cause maximum damage to give you a chance to get away. A shoulder bullet will hurt, but if the man or men who are coming at you are used to being hit, they could get angry and hurt you even more.”