Page 39 of Sweet Temptation

Soon enough it will be time to bring Ace in on our lifestyle. My mother wants more soldiers, even though he didn’t grow up in the mafia world. He did grow up near an MC club, where his best friend still currently rides with them.

With that, we pull out of the parking lot and head back to Princeton. It's about ten p.m., but we all have classes tomorrow, so we can't afford to spend the night, even though that would be the best bet.

Wrapping my arm around Hanna, I pull her close as her eyes flutter closed. "Sleep, Cinderella," I whisper into her hair. Her eyes lock with Sam's and he nods. Lifting her legs, she drapes herself across Sam's lap while her head rests on mine.

Within seconds, I hear Hanna's soft breathing fill the car and my eyes meet with the boys as they all watch me. "Don't worry about it, Damon, we got your back and we have hers," Sam replies, typing a message into his phone quickly. I can see the murder clouding his version, too.

I guess it comes with the territory when you're a mafia prince. "Who are you telling?" I snap.

Sam shakes his head and passes me the phone. "My football buddy goes to school with him in Jersey. I didn't tell him Hanna's name; I just told him to make sure the hockey team knows to keep him away from girls."

I stare down at the screen, reading the messages between Sam and his friend Dean. The messages are simple: keep Jared from putting his hands on women, and invite him to Ricky's. I turn off Sam's phone and pass it back to him with a smile. "Thank you," I reply to all my friends.

"That's what friends are for. We have each other's back, and when they get a girl, we have hers, too," Ace replies, watching me from the rearview mirror. I don't voice the fact that I shouldn't keep Hanna.

But I can see it in Damien's eyes; he knows I won’t let her go. I think Sam knows it, too. I nod before pressing a kiss on the beautiful girl's head in my lap.

I wish I knew her back then. No way in bloody hell would anyone ever lay a hand on her body without permission if I was around. Damien knows all too well how I react to sexual assault.

Soren was born because our mother raped our father. I mean, we got Soren, but that's not the point. It's wrong, and I'll kill anyone I see ever attempt it or try to hurt the people I love. Rape is wrong, and everyone in the mafia crime world dies if they commit it.

A mundane should have no exceptions. Death should come to them, too—and it will. Resting my head against Hanna's neck, I close my eyes. Nobody will ever hurt her like that again.

They'll have to go through me, and they won't make it before they're dead. My eyes flutter as I fall asleep, my arms wrapped around Hanna.

TWENTY-THREE

I realised this yesterday when Damon was throwing down on one of the men who ruined my life. I haven't hung out with my mates in what seems like months, though it's only been a few days.

Smiling at Damon's sleeping form, I press a kiss to his cheek before I make my way downstairs to the kitchen. Writing a note to tell him where I went off to, I sent a text to Bailey and Scarlet before heading out of the house.

Me: You two up to go shopping? Maybe do something crazy?

Sunshine: Count me in! I can't wait.

Book Nerd: Lip gloss is required, right?

I giggle softly as I shove my boots on before typing a response to them.

Me: What about your red lipstick? Isn't that always required?

Book Nerd: You're right. You know me so well ;)

Better than she thinks. I know more than I should about her, that's for sure.

Sunshine: STFU Scar, get your ass out of your bed. I'm already in the kitchen.

I sigh once again, registering how much I have missed my friends. Ever since Damon got shot, it's been different. My life's been different. I've been spending so much time at this house with Damon.

Sliding into the driver's seat of Damon's car since he said I could take it whenever I needed it, I reverse out of the driveway and head down the street toward Scarlet's.

I needed this. Really needed this. I pull the car into the driveway and turn off the engine. Pushing open the door, I take the steps two at a time and head inside. A smile lights up my face when I see my two best friends sitting at the table sipping coffee.

"We missed you." Scarlet pouts, her red lipstick glistening.

Everything I know about her comes crashing into my brain the longer I stare. I frown, the same look coming from Bailey. "I got distracted…" I mumble.

Bailey smirks, taking a sip from her coffee mug. "Distracted?" She wiggles her eyebrows. "That's her way of saying I'm too busy with my legs around Damon's hips."