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  I snorted. “I’m sure he loved that.”

  “What?” Trace tilted her head. Was she really that clueless?

  “Do you really have no idea?” I tucked some of her dark hair behind her ear and sighed. “No idea at all?”

  “Idea? Help me out, Nixon. I don’t speak crazy.”

  Cursing, I pulled her into my lap and wrapped her legs around my waist so her body was pressed against mine. “You. Are. Gorgeous.” Her body shivered in response to my touch. A hiss of air escaped through her lips as her legs tightened around my body.

  I braced her hips with my hands and slowly moved them up. I looked at her perfect body as it fit like a missing piece to my puzzle. “Any guy would be an idiot not to have a problem keeping it in his pants around you, Trace. And that’s the truth.”

  “You don’t seem to have a problem with it?” She winked.

  I growled and jerked her head toward mine, crushing my lips against hers. I slipped my tongue past the barrier of her lips and promised myself she’d forget Chase had even touched her today. “Right,” I growled low in the back of my throat. “No problem whatsoever. I’m basically a saint.” I brought her hands down the front of my chest and lower, to my boxers. “You need to know one thing, sweetheart.”

  “What?” Her hands froze on my abs.

  “I would kill my own cousin.”

  “What?” Her expression turned horrified: Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

  “I would.” I shrugged. “He knows you aren’t his to touch, you aren’t his to want.”

  “And I’m yours?” Oh great, now I’ve pissed her off.

  I gripped her face between my hands and kissed her mouth softly. “Yes. Whether you like it or not, we belong to each other. I’m as much yours as you are mine—I don’t share. I want to freaking murder anyone who even so much as looks in your direction, or at your shoes, and damn if I don’t hate those boots that Chase got you. I want to consume you. I want to be the one that puts a smile on your face. I want to be the one that teaches you pleasure—me. Not anyone else. Sharing you—even by way of my cousin, who I trust more than anyone in the world—has to be one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”

  “Nixon,” she sighed against my mouth. “I love you. You have to know that.”

  “That’s the problem,” I said.

  “How is that a problem?”

  “It’s a problem because I’m consumed with you, Trace. Are you hungry? How are classes? Do you need your space? Are you scared? Can you shoot a gun? Shit. I can’t even sleep at night because I’m so terrified, and I’ve literally been sharing a bed with you for the past two weeks.”

  A pretty blush stained her cheeks.

  “Sharing a bed isn’t sex; stop blushing.” I winked when she smacked me on the shoulder. “Not that I’m opposed to the idea…”

  “You’re a guy. You’re never opposed to it.”

  “You’re not ready, therefore I have to be.” I pushed her away gently and cupped her face with my right hand. “I’m not telling you all of this to get all sappy and freak you out. I just want you to know what’s at stake.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Faust is here.”

  “WHAT?” Trace stumbled out of my embrace and stood. “The same Faust who accused me of asking for it when I told him Phoenix raped me? That Faust?”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, though he may be unrecognizable right about now.”

  “Nixon, you didn’t…”

  I shrugged. “He’s alive.”

  Trace pressed a shaking hand to her temple. “What does he want?”

  “What does anyone want in our world? Leverage? Money? Your guess is as good as mine. But he basically wants me to pick a side…”

  “By you not finishing that sentence, I’m guessing it’s not the Alfero side he’s wanting you to stand on.”

  “Smart and sexy. How did I get so lucky?”

  Trace sighed and closed her hands. “My grandfather—”

  “—is fine.” I knew we were alone, but… a person could never be too careful. “Drop it.”

  I hated that I had to be rough with her. I hated that it was necessary in order to protect her. If she knew where he was, she was making herself a target. I knew, and that was enough.

  “So what happens now?” Trace grabbed my hand and traced a small circle next to my newest scar.

  “We wait it out. The Sicilians are here. I know the family well. Business goes on as usual and you try to graduate.”

  “Without getting killed,” she murmured.

  “Nobody is going after you.” I released her hand and got up. “Besides, they’d have to kill me first and I don’t die very easily.”

  “Right.”

  “I’m going to go put on some clothes so you stop staring at my ass.”

  “I’m not—” Trace closed her eyes as her face flamed bright red.

  “You are.” I walked over to the spare room, where we kept clothing and took naps in between classes. “But I forgive you because I have a really nice ass. It would be kind of cruel to hold that against you.”

  “Wow, cocky and a killer. How did I get so lucky?” she said dryly.

  I laughed and went into the room to find something without blood on it. Not that I would ever be free from the stain. After all, it was like my marker—blood.

  * * *

  Once I was dressed, I went back to find Trace laying facedown on the couch, her breathing deep.

  I checked my watch. She had class in exactly ten minutes. I sent a quick text to Chase that I was going to steal Trace away for the rest of the afternoon. He responded quickly, saying he didn’t mind and that he was going to go find a hot chick to make out with. As long as it wasn’t my hot chick, I was fine with that.

  “Trace?” I nudged her awake. She groaned aloud and mumbled something that sounded nothing like English. “Trace.” I kissed the back of her head. She moved her arm toward me, hitting me directly in the stomach. Hard.

  I smacked her ass just as hard and laughed as she fell off the couch and glared. “What’s wrong with you! You can’t just go waking people up like that! I could have…”

  “What? You could have what?” I crossed my arms and smirked. “What could you possibly do that would bring me to my knees?”

  Trace licked her lips and eyed me up and down. “Oh, I have a few ideas.”

  “Well played,” I grumbled. “We’re skipping class.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I want to.”

  “Why?”

  “Say thank you, Trace, and so help me God if you say why one more time I’m taking you into that back bedroom and having my way with you until you can’t ask why anymore.”

  She seemed to actually think about it. Shit. I was kidding, I wasn’t ready for that, not with her. It seemed too precious. And here I was joking about it.

  “Fine.” She yawned and stretched her arms high above her head. “Do I need to text Chase?”

  “Nah, I just did. He said he’s gonna go make out with some chick. Clearly you’re messing with his mojo.”

  Trace’s face fell a bit. “I guess I never thought about that.”

  “Don’t feel sorry for him. The man could charm anything with a pulse and could probably use this time as a way to do some sort of cleansing ritual.”

  She nodded and reached for my hand. “So, where are we going?”

  “Somewhere safe.” I winked.

  * * *

  I pulled the Range Rover up to the large metal gate. After I pushed the intercom button, a voice came on the speaker. “Who is visiting?”

  “Nixon Abandonato.”

  Lots of yelling and hushing and then, “Pleasure to have you, sir.” The gates opened in front of us and I drove through.

  “Doesn’t that bother you?” Trace asked, pulling off her sunglasses.

  “What?”

  “ ‘Sir’?” Her eyebrow arched. “It makes you sound so old and… just old.”

&nbs
p; “It’s a respect thing.” I shrugged.

  “No,” she argued. “It’s an old person thing.”

  “What?” I pulled to the front of the mansion and turned off the car. “You’d rather they call me Dude? Or Homie?”

  “I vote Homie. It sounds—”

  “I’m an American-born Sicilian,” I interrupted. “It sounds like an easy way to get shot; that’s what it sounds like.”

  Trace rolled her eyes and unbuckled her seat belt. As she reached for the door, I grasped her wrist and pulled her toward me. “What would you call me?”

  “You mean other than your name?” Her eyes narrowed.

  “Yeah.” I licked my lips. My tongue touched the metal of my lip ring. I could almost taste her hot mouth on mine.

  “Perfect.” She sighed. “I’d call you perfect.” Her hands reached out to cup my face as her tongue touched my lip ring and then slipped into my mouth.

  I groaned in frustration when our lips met in a frenzy. It really wasn’t the time or place to be kissing her, or nearly exploding with frustration that I couldn’t just jump across the console and maul her. Reluctantly, I pulled back.

  “As much as I’d love to finish that… conversation…” I chewed hard on my lower lip and literally had to look away from her so I wouldn’t say what the hell and drive her back to my house and lock her in my bedroom. “We’re here for a reason.”

  “Oh yeah?” Her eyes were dilated as they looked me up and down. “What’s that?”

  I smirked. “You’ll see.”

  Thankfully, the air was crisp, so when I stepped out of the SUV I wasn’t still so aroused that I was ready to shoot something.

  “What is this place?” Trace put her hand up as a shade over her eyes and looked up at the mansion. It was an impressive four stories, with over three hundred rooms. I’d loved this place, loved visiting. It had been my safe haven when my dad beat me. “My cousin Sergio takes care of the place while his father serves out the rest of his sentence.” I led her toward the back of the house.

  “Sentence?” Trace repeated. “As in prison sentence?”

  “We like to think of it as an opportunity for a family reunion,” a voice interrupted. I laughed when Sergio winked at Trace and held out his hand. “It’s been a long time, Nixon.” His dark wavy hair was tied at the nape of his neck. He was clean-cut, one of the rare sons who didn’t rebel against the formality of being in the mafia. His blue t-shirt fit tightly across his chest as he stood in front of Trace.

  “He doesn’t call you ‘sir,’ ” Trace interjected, then clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry; it slipped.”

  “It slips often,” I added.

  Sergio laughed. “So I hear.” He held out his hand. When she gave him her fingers, he kissed her knuckles and smiled. “Guess the rumors are true.”

  “Rumors.” Trace pulled back her hand and rubbed it.

  “Of your beauty…” Sergio stepped closer to her and sighed. “Too bad I did not discover you first.”

  “Yeah, that lament is already taken by another cousin.” I slapped him on the back. “Don’t make me threaten you, too.”

  Trace rolled her eyes and fell into step beside us.

  “Sergio.” My cousin cleared his throat. “My name is Sergio.”

  Trace examined his face. “Of course it is.”

  “Pardon?” He stopped walking.

  She looked between us and shrugged. “The way I see it, every Sicilian name either sounds like something out of a mafia movie or a—”

  “A…?” we said in unison.

  “Never mind. So, nice house.” Trace tried to change the subject.

  “Oh no, sweetheart.” I tugged her arm and made her stop. “Let’s have it. Or what?”

  “Promise not to shoot me?” she whined.

  “He’s threatened to do that before?” Sergio yelled.

  “No.” I rolled my eyes. “She’s being dramatic.”

  Trace turned back toward Sergio. “I’m a girl.”

  “I noticed.” His eyes darkened as he licked his lips and looked about one minute away from devouring her where she stood.

  “Trace…” I nudged. “What do Sicilian names sound like?”

  “I need to learn when to stop talking.” She put her hands over her face. “A porn star name. Okay?”

  Sergio and I burst out laughing. Damn, I loved that girl. The tips of her ears burned bright red as she covered her face in her hands.

  “You know,” Sergio said in a serious voice, “not to brag but you aren’t too far off with your assumptions I—”

  “No.” I shook my head. “You’re not going to finish that sentence. You. I will shoot.”

  Sergio chuckled and held up his hands. “So, everything has been set up. Just be sure not to kill any cows.”

  “Cows?” Trace’s head jolted up. “Where?”

  “In fields.” Sergio cleared his throat. “Where they live.” He looked at me and shook his head. “Where did you say she was from again?”

  I opened my mouth to answer but Trace was running toward the field to the cows.

  “She likes cows.”

  “I see.” Sergio chuckled as we both watched Trace run up to the fence and stand on it.

  “How are things?” I asked. “Any more news?”

  “They want to meet.” Sergio stuffed his hands in his pockets. “That is all I’ve heard. It’s your call, Nixon. If you want to meet with them, test out your peacekeeping abilities, I won’t keep you from it.”

  “But?” I crossed my arms and continued to watch Trace laugh like she didn’t have a care in the world.

  “But.” Sergio cleared his throat. “I don’t see this ending well. For any of us. You must be prepared to go into hiding. You must be prepared for the worst.”

  I swallowed the dryness in my throat. “I’m not afraid to die.”

  “I know.” Sergio patted my back. “Your problem stems from the very fact that you’ve finally found someone to live for. It is not our death that we fear, but leaving those behind that we love.”

  “You sure you don’t want to be the peacekeeper, oh spouter of wisdom?” I joked.

  “No.” Sergio kicked the grass at his feet and pulled a gun from the back of his jeans. “I’m here to counsel you in secret. I like my life. Being a made man? Jumping back into the limelight with you and Chase? No. I’m of more use doing what I do.”

  “A ghost.”

  “A damn good one.” Sergio thumped my back with his hand. “Here, let her use this pistol. It was my mom’s.”

  I took the gun from his hands. It was sleeker and smaller than mine; it would be a perfect weapon for Trace to learn on. “Thanks for this.”

  “I do what I can. Now, try to stay alive.” His blue t-shirt fanned in the wind as he stuffed his arms into his jeans pockets and walked off.

  “Nixon!” Trace yelled from the fence. “Come on!”

  I walked over to her and sighed. The cows weren’t used to people. Meaning she was most likely scaring the shit out of them.

  “Nice.” I pointed to the brown creatures and lifted her off the fence, “Now, we only have an hour or so, then we have to head back into town. Let’s make good use of it, shall we?”

  Chapter Five

  Nixon

  “I suck at this,” Trace said for the tenth time. “I don’t understand how you can shoot something without falling down.”

  I braced her body against mine and wrapped my arms around her in order to help her position the gun. “That’s why it takes practice.”

  “Why does it look so easy on TV?”

  “Because it’s TV,” I whispered in her ear. “Now, focus on the target. Remember pistols always have a slight kick. Do you want the earplugs?”

  “No.” She breathed. “Because then I can’t hear you and for some reason having you behind me, helping me, it’s easier to concentrate.”

  Funny. I was just thinking the exact opposite. It was damned difficult to concentrat
e on breathing, let alone shooting an actual target with her body squirming in front of mine.

  “Remember,” I whispered. “You want to relax but also take a stance that allows you to breathe and take the hit.”

  “Hit?” Her voice dripped with dread.

  “From the kick, not a bullet. I wouldn’t let you get shot.”

  She straightened her shoulders and pulled the trigger, hitting a good foot away from the actual target.

  “Not too bad,” I lied.

  Trace handed me the gun. “I can’t be awful at this, not when we’re still in danger.”

  “Hey.” I took the gun and placed it on the wood stump next to us. “You’re not terrible and it’s not like you’re supposed to know how to do this well. You’re just a little rusty and used to shooting rifles on a farm. Not a smaller gun that doesn’t have great aim.”

  “I know.” She looked back toward the mansion. “I take it Sergio isn’t going to join us at all?”

  I cringed, thinking it best to keep most of the truth from her. The more she knew, the more in danger she would be. “He doesn’t like to involve himself in the business.”

  Trace grabbed my hand and pulled me down to sit on the wooden table with all the ammo. “I don’t understand. Why help you, then?”

  “Sergio’s what I like to call a ghost. He doesn’t exist. He likes it that way. After his father was put in prison, well, it was easy for him to get out. The feds were sniffing around too much and the family basically let him go off on his own. Of course, he’s still watched, but he’s basically free to live his life as he sees fit. He helps me when he can; he’s brilliant when it comes to computer hacking and research.”

  Trace squinted. She had that look on her face, the one that meant she was thinking really hard about something. “So if Sergio decided he wanted to just up and marry some normal girl and live a normal life out with the cows… he could?” Her eyes looked hopeful. Damn, but I hated being the one snuffing out that hope.

  “In theory,” I answered slowly. “But Trace, you’re never really free from this. You’re always going to be watching your back. You’ll always carry a gun with you just in case, and you’ll still never trust the other families or sometimes, even your own.”