never would have done that to you, especially after the moment we shared, if I didn’t absolutely care about you.”
When his hand rests on my thigh, I look down at it with a sharp inhale. I want to push his hand away, but I want it right where it is even more. A passenger in the row in front of us on the other side of the aisle notices us. Jesse curves his body, so he’s angled toward me, blocking her view of our conversation.
His head bows into the side of my face, and his mouth rests beside my jaw. “I’m sorry the night ended the way it did. I want you to know that what happened between us—”
“Who was that man?” I cut him off because I can’t relive the intimacy. I need answers, yet by the way he’s closing his eyes with a curse, I know I won’t be getting any. “Let me guess. You can’t tell me. This is exactly why I am so confused. Everything has exploded, and everyone is lying to me. Even you.”
His gaze grows dark in a sad way. “Amelia, I am trying to protect you.”
I want to believe him, yet after seeing that man with him and knowing there are secrets between us, it makes me hesitant.
His hand inches higher, sending a flicker of desire to my chest. I don’t know if it’s intentional, but it certainly is enough to bring back the memories of those hands on me, in me. I quiver at the memory, forcing Jesse’s fingers to tighten on my skin.
The bus is now driving on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway. The Manhattan skyline is faintly in view as he leans his forehead against mine. “This is so fucked up.”
“That’s an understatement. I’ve been a mess all weekend. If I had known you were outside, I would have gone to you.”
He sits up. “I wasn’t lying when I said no one can see us together.”
“Then, why the hell are we together on this bus?”
His jaw tightens, and his mouth pinches. “It’s the only way I could think of to see you without being seen with you.”
“Charming.”
“What did you say to your mother when you got back?”
I pull away from him, lifting his hand and dropping it off of me. “That’s why you’re here? My mouth is shut. Don’t worry.”
“Please don’t be like that.”
“What do you want?” I ask. It obviously isn’t just so he can see me.
“I need to find your father.”
“And I want answers.”
He grits his teeth and swears to himself before relenting. “The Lugazzi family is the one who put out the hit. That’s common knowledge. He’s been verbally upset for a while, and his men were quickly identified as the ones who had ambushed Villa Russo. Everyone knows, including your mother. And I think”—the hesitation in his voice is palpable—“it has something to do with you.”
“Me?” My voice is loud, too loud. “No. My mother even said women and children are off limits. It’s some sort of code whatever that means.”
He holds me close and hushes me as he looks over his shoulder.
When it appears safe that no one is listening, he continues, “It was code until one of those bastards walked into the Oak Bar and aimed his gun at you. Once that happened, all bets are off and I’m trying to find out why. There’s been some chatter on the wires. Your name and your job at DeLuca & Associates come up a lot. Do you know why?”
I strain my neck as I slowly lower it, taking in this information while wondering what the hell he’s talking about.
“Is that why my parents want me to stay with them?”
He shakes his head. “They don’t know any of this. Keeping you at their house is their way of keeping their daughter safe. A measure I support one hundred percent, by the way.”
I ignore his comment. “That doesn’t make any sense. I’m an auditor. That’s the least exciting job on the planet.”
“What about your father’s connection to the office?”
I look up at the gray ceiling, as if searching for the answer. “He knows my boss. They did business of some sort years ago.” Jesse is nodding like this is the link, and my eyes widen with surprise. “Wait. Do you think my father got me my job for his benefit? Jesse, I’ve worked hard for this position. I interviewed three times. My résumé is impeccable. My work ethic is insurmountable.”
“I’m sure it is. We’re just trying to piece the