Page 21 of She Belongs to Me

I pounded one fist on my desk before I shoved aside feeling sorry for myself. The feelings might be understandable given her beauty, but they held no place in my life or world. I quickly dialed Luca before they got out of hand.

“Good almost afternoon, boss,” Luca said. “You rested up?”

I exhaled, still feeling the exhaustion. “That’s not possible right now. I want to have a meeting later today, around three. We’ll do so at the office. I would prefer Alexandra have no chance of overhearing what is being said. Gather the men together. Find out anything new occurring in DC before the meeting. I want to ensure I stay abreast of the Greeks’ activities.”

“Already on it. I’ll make the calls.”

“Excellent.” I didn’t need to leave any warm and fuzzies. We were friends, but he was still my employee.

From there, I contacted my one really good friend and corporate plus personal attorney. Francesco Lombardi was someone I’d known for a long time, our meeting occurring right after I’d returned from the shitshow twenty-five years before. He had a shark-like reputation, which was what I’d needed at the time. I’d been distracted enough I’d had to ensure nothing was dropped from the dozen businesses I’d owned. He’d helped me refocus and keep on track.

For that I was grateful. And paid him damn well.

Since then, we’d developed a friendship that had built over time. “Francesco.”

“My good friend. I heard you were out of the country.”

I stared out the window at the hills in the distance. Alexandra would love the property. She should be very happy here. “I was unexpectedly. Do you have time to meet me at the office around three today?”

“You’re in luck. A court case was cancelled, little weasel. I’ll be there.”

“Good. Then I’ll tell you all about my adventure.” I had no other word for what had recently occurred. It could have ended badly. At least she’d listened to me once she’d gotten me on the phone. That had been helpful. And likely had kept her alive.

What I hadn’t told her was that the men Luca had hired had seen at least two suspicious cars cruising the area. Luca’s men knew how to stay out of sight, but had been prepared to attack if necessary. Fortunately, the bastards hadn’t turned into the parking lot of the motel. If they had, it would have led to a bloodbath.

And I certainly didn’t need that on foreign soil.

“It’ll be good to see you,” Francesco said before ending the call.

I held the phone in my hand for a few seconds. A week ago, I could never have thought my life would collide with hers. I’d kept watch, more so than she obviously had guessed. I’d shared every milestone from afar, reveling in how intelligent she was, even getting almost a full scholarship to college then medical school.

I’d even been a lurker on her social media. She’d been careful, never posting anything controversial. Early on I’d become very proud of the young woman she was becoming. And I felt the same now.

Which was why the lurid thoughts had to be locked away. I did my best, grabbing the keys to the Ferrari convertible. She would find the older vehicle cliché, as if I was attempting to be some eighties television star. It was a car I’d acquired from a man who hadn’t been able to pay me what he owed me. It had sat in my garage parked alongside my eight other vehicles for almost two years.

I stared at it almost every day, finally falling in love with its sleek design. I’d had it refurbished back to as original as possible and enjoyed using it for recreational activities. Not business. Nothing flashy for business.

At least I could chuckle. I headed into the kitchen, grabbing a couple of bottles of water before returning to the dining room. As with every room on the back of the house, a series of French doors led to either a stone patio or a deck on the bottom floor and on the second, a series of private balconies.

Even on the front, in true Mediterranean style, there were four smaller balconies. The doors were functioning, but I’d had them locked down and fully secured when the single attempt on my life had been made at my house. That had been years before.

Since then, there had been relative peace, other than a few offhanded incidents I’d been required to handle. I wanted it to stay that way.

I found her outside, staring at the view.

When I walked onto the patio, she bristled slightly. The wind was whipping through her long hair, her face completely turned away from me.

“I have some water and I think you’ll like a ride.”

She didn’t respond or even move an inch at first and I thought she was going to ignore me or worse. Finally, she turned, studying me as intently as I had a feeling I’d been studying her all during breakfast.

It had been a delight to see her eating. Most women ate demurely, especially around people they didn’t know. She’d had every right to power in food. I’d known she was starving.

Hell, I’d known that when I’d brought water and juice into her room earlier that morning.

Invading her privacy and space.

I hadn’t even given my actions a thought. That said too many not so nice things about me.