Say Daddy A Mafia Billionaire Romance - Shanna Handel Page 0,33
Jet the time of day?” She takes a much larger sip of wine.
“No. What I’m telling you is the truth. I’ve been a member of the family a little over a year. My brother, Matteo Monroe, now Matteo Bachman, is a member. He recruited me.”
Her brow furrows. “But why did you lie to me? Why not tell me? You can trust me.”
“I was under strict orders. It was only when I told Rockland how serious I am about you that he gave me permission to tell you. Aren’t you happy? Even a little? It’s what you always dreamed of—being with a Bachman man.” I reach out to grab her hand.
She pulls it away. “You still... lied.”
I knew it would take some time for her to come around, but I had no idea she’d be this hurt by the news. “I had to. Don’t you understand? Even the Beauties don’t know.”
Her gaze narrows accusingly. “What else have you lied about?”
Racking my brain, I try to think of anything else I may have covered up, wanting to earn back her trust. There’s only one thing I can think of—Jet. She’s not going to like what I have to say, but I press forward. “There’s only one other thing. The man you went out with that night, Jet—he’s not a Bachman, he’s a federal agent. He was trying to use you to get a message to me.”
“Oh.” A blush of embarrassment rises in her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
I reach for her hand again, and she lets me take it. The small gesture makes hope rise in my heart. I wrap both my hands around her small one, enveloping it with warmth.
Gazing into her eyes, I tell her the truth. “I didn’t want to hurt you. And I didn’t think it mattered since you weren’t going to see him again.”
She slides her hand from mine. “It hurts my pride more, knowing you knew and hid it from me.”
I say, “I’m sorry—it’s just, the less you know, the safer you are in this world. Which brings me to my next point—”
She snaps, cutting me off. “What world? You didn’t even tell me you were a Bachman.” She rises from her chair.
“Sit yourself down, now.”
“No. I don’t want to sit down. And I don’t want to hear your next point.”
“Temper, temper, temper. Calm your ass down and take a seat.” I hold my hand out toward her empty chair, staring her down, daring her to defy me. “Now.”
My words only serve to fuel her fire. “I won’t. I’m mad that you lied to me and I have a right to be—”
Now it’s me cutting her off. I stand from my seat, circling the table to her. Grabbing her shoulders, I say, “Listen to me. When you met with Jet, you opened yourself up to becoming a target for Theo. I have no idea how he might entangle you, but I’m not willing to risk your safety. You’re moving in with me until I can take care of Theo. And that’s final.”
“There is no way in hell I’m moving in with you! I decide who I live with, not you.” She pushes me away.
I reach for her. “You’re not safe.”
She steps back. “Theo is a federal agent, what could he possibly do to me?”
“You’d be surprised. But that doesn’t matter—you’re in danger. I want you here where I can keep an eye on you.”
“No. I get to choose, and I say no.”
“You don’t have a choice.” I grab her, pulling her into me.
She struggles, beating at my chest with her fists. “Get off me, you ass!”
“Not till you accept that you’re not safe.” Sliding one hand down her back, I give her ass a sharp slap. “But if you need some convincing, I’ll be happy to help.”
“So help me God, if you don’t let go of me right now—”
I bring her closer until her face is only inches from mine. “You’ll what, little girl?”
She’s seething, her livid eyes narrowing at me as she stares. “I’ll kick your ass, that’s what!”
“There’s a line. And you’ve just crossed it.”
A flash of fear breaks out from behind the mask of anger. “Don’t you touch me!”
Throwing myself down onto the chair, I tug her over my lap. Her legs kick, her arms flail to protect her ass. I pin her legs to mine. Grab her wrists and pin her hands to her lower back. “You’re going to learn to listen.”
“That’s the problem. You think you control me but you