Page 41 of Havoc

“He’s shown her a level of loyalty that’s surprising. I’d like to see where that takes us.” My instincts told me that if given the opportunity their relationship could be cultivated into one where he would protect her at all costs.

Paolo had a sad story. Most of us did, but his was tragic on a different level. He’d lost his little girl many years ago. I had a feeling that it had something to do with his hesitation to hand Havoc over to me, when he knew I was looking for anyone attached to the car bombing. Parents shouldn’t outlive their children. Even a heartless fucker like me understood the kind of grief that would cause.

I was hoping that maybe he could help her with her pain and grief. He’d had years of coping with loss. I’d just need to remember to hide the liquor.

“I’ll put him on rotation with her. Pietro can take over when he’s not with her,” Luca said.

“After this evening she won’t need a guard at night.” Perhaps not at all after a few weeks, if she held up her end of the bargain and didn’t try to escape.

Luca didn’t bother to ask what was happening tonight. He knew I wouldn’t talk to him about it. It amazed me how this man knew my moods. He understood me better than my own brother.

Chapter 25

Havoc

Aknock on the door had me rolling over with a groan. The nightmares returned last night. My mind was punishing me. I wasn’t sure if it was because of the confusion Nico caused within me or if it was because I wasn’t free to go after my targets on my own timeline. Either way it was entirely Nico’s fault, but it meant a sleepless night for me. I’d just started dozing off when the knock came.

I rolled off the bed and went to the door. Opening it, I couldn’t stop my mouth from dropping open. “Paolo!”

He shot me his signature weasel smile. I couldn’t explain why I suddenly felt connected to this man. Maybe because he helped set me on my new path, or perhaps because it seemed like we were both caught in the same situation. Judging by the new suit, and the whole being alive thing, it seemed like Nico had acquired another person.

I motioned for Paolo to come in. “What are you doing here?”

“Uh…” His smile disappeared and he looked everywhere except at me. “I’m supposed to...”

“Ah, you’re here to guard me?” I interrupted, letting him off the hook.

He gave me a weak smile and a nod.

Well, if I had to have someone hanging around, I’d rather it be him. “Sorry you’re going to be stuck here and bored all day, too.”

“Would you like breakfast?” he asked with a bright smile.

“Sure.”

“Get dressed,” he said, eyeing the shorts and t-shirt I slept in last night.

Laughing, I went into the closet and dug around in my bag until I found a pair of jeans. I slipped them and shoes on, then came out. His face fell as he eyed the Avenged Sevenfold t-shirt I was still wearing.

Clearly, Nico wasn’t the only one around here that liked to dress up. Although, I’d seen Nico in his casual attire and I had to admit—if only to myself—that it did things to my insides. Nico in a suit was powerful and intimidating. In jeans, boots, and a sweatshirt? He looked downright dangerous. The fancy clothes lent this idea that he was too civilized to hurt you. I knew it wasn’t the truth, but it did a good job at masking his true nature.

I followed Paolo downstairs and into what was probably the largest kitchen I’d ever seen. “Boss gave us the run of the house… for the most part,” he told me. He motioned for me to sit at an island while he began pulling ingredients out of the fridge. “I’ll make you my famous French Toast.”

My stomach rumbled a ‘yes, please.’ “So, we can go anywhere we want?”

“There’s a few exceptions, but otherwise, yeah.” He cracked eggs into a bowl.

I looked around the kitchen while he cooked. We’d just sat down to eat when a man bustled in through the door. His eyes widened as he saw us sitting there. Then his gaze shot over to the stove where Paolo had left a pretty big mess. Fury washed over the man’s features and he started yelling at us in Italian. Paolo rolled his eyes and responded.

Since I didn’t understand what they were saying I ate my breakfast while they snarked at each other. I wasn’t sure what made Paolo’s French Toast famous, but it was delicious. The man finally gave up and stormed out of the kitchen.

“Who was that?”

“The chef. He didn’t like that I used his stove.”

I laughed and we chatted while we finished eating and then cleaned up. “Okay, where to first?” I rubbed my palms together. I was practically salivating to explore this place.

“Wherever you want, Signora.”