Page 47 of Relentless Pursuit
“It’s one of my favorites.” I popped the snack in my mouth and ate it in one bite.
“Damn,” she said, watching me. “You have such a big appetite.”
“You would know.” She blushed, and I winked at her, then swept the area with a perusing gaze. Around us, capos flanked us on opposite ends of the crowds, constantly observing to make sure our enemies could do no harm.
“Are they going to follow us everywhere?”
I turned my attention to Penelope. “Yes.”
She nodded. “This is a part of our new normal, I guess.”
“Yes.”
“How do you feel about that?” she asked me.
“Why would this bother me?”
“Because you’re a loner. I’ve never seen you with security until recently.”
“I was always supposed to have security, but they could never keep up with me. I preferred to be alone, but things have changed, and Dameon insists I keep them now.”
“I noticed you address your father as “Father” around him and others, but not around me. Is there any reason for that?”
I stared at her momentarily. “Truth is, I’ve completely let my guard down around you, Penelope. And I’ll find out soon enough if that is a mistake I’ll live to regret.”
She drew back, annoyed. “Why do you say that? That’s insinuating I would do something to harm you or tell your secrets. Is that what you believe?”
We had a stare-down that lasted longer than she liked because she lifted another arancini, leaned into a hip, folded her arms, and glared at me.
I smirked. “You’re cute when you’re annoyed.”
“But you’re not cute when you're annoying.”
“Yes, I am.”
She twisted her lips, and I drew her closer, kissing her pouty mouth.
“I’m always aware of my weaknesses, and as much as I adore you, I can’t deny that you are my weakness, Penelope.”
“But I want to be your strength. Someone who fulfills you and keeps you going. Not someone who weakens you.”
“You misunderstand me.” I sucked my teeth and glanced around, then back to her. “Because of my adoration, my enemies can use you to get to me. And even though I trust you, I can admit that that puts you in a position to kill me if you saw fit.”
“I want you to stop thinking this way.”
“My way of thinking has kept me alive.”
“How can you marry someone you think might kill you?”
“I never said I think you might. I said you possess the ability to do so if you see fit. That is the truth, whether you care to hear it or not.”
“Okay, well, the same can be said about you. I mean, look where I am. I’m literally at your mercy.”
I tightened my arms around her waist. “Don’t you enjoy being at my mercy, Penelope?”
Her body warmed, and she blushed, then squirmed. “Don’t try and change the subject,” she said, almost on a moan.
Music surrounded us suddenly, and her gaze moved around. The locals were getting ready to start dancing, and Penelope began moving her hips, catching on to the vibrant festivities around us. She turned around, but I held on to her, and she lifted her arms and mimicked their moves.