I feel the rope begin to tug on my waist, but it’s not pulling me up. I try to push with my hands relentlessly.
Finally, my head slips back through the angle and rough hands tug on my ankles pulling me back up until I’m in Gio’s arms on the ladder.
“It’s okay,” he whispers to me. “I got you.”
My breath comes out fast and shaky and I’m fighting the urge to cry in his arms. I don’t want to do that again.
“Breath, Annie. You’re safe.”
I take a deep breath, this time smoother and more controlled.
Gio sets me back on my feet easily. “We’re done for the night,” he tells the men.
Frank looks annoyed, but Charlie nods amicably. “Of course, boss.” He says, turning away and taking Frank with him.
“I’m sorry,” I tell Gio when it’s just us and my breathing has finally returned to normal.
“It’s okay.” he gives me an easy, reassuring smile for the first time since I’ve arrived at the warehouse. “I didn’t expect you to be perfect tonight, but you’ll get there.” He shrugs, glancing over at the metal box.
“I have to do that again?”
He chuckles softly, “Yeah sweetheart. But I promise you’ll be fine, okay?”
I nod, even though I do not feel okay about it, but I don’t feel like I can tell him that.
“What is it supposed to be?”
He considers the question for a moment, deciding how much information he’s willing to tell me.
“I’ll tell you, eventually. That’s all you need to know, now let’s get you home.” He gestures to the door.
Of all the places for my old Camry to be finicky, outside of Gio’s club was among the worst.
“Come on,” I tell the old beater that is still, on the fifth try, not starting.
“What’s wrong with it?” The sound of Gio’s smooth as silk voice makes me jump. He stands next to the driver’s side window with Charlie close behind him.
“Won’t start,” I answer.
“Charlie, can you get it to the shop for her?” He asks Charlie, though I doubt Charlie is allowed to say no. “I’ll take you home.” He tells me.
“But, I have work tomorrow.”
“Charlie will have it dropped off before you leave in the morning.” He waves a hand dismissively.
“Okay.”
Gio drives the nicest car I’ve ever seen. It’s a black sleek looking Porsche with dark-tinted windows. The smooth tanned leather interior feels like butter against my skin. Instinctively I rub my hand against it to feel the softness.
Gio navigates the Providence streets seamlessly, maintaining the speed limit, and signaling perfectly. I can’t help but laugh.
“What’s funny?” His gaze lands on me in the passenger seat.
“Nothing,” I muse.“You just drive so polite for a tough guy.”
His mouth curls upwards into a smile. “Yeah? How should I drive?”
I take a moment to burn his profile into my memory. With his sharp features, dark hair, and muscles he looks devastatingly handsome at the wheel of this ungodly expensive car.
“You should be racing.” I say finally. “Like weaving in and out of lanes, just totally taking over the road.”
He laughs, glancing my way again.
“Don’t want to get pulled over.”
“Oh, you would never get pulled over.” I continue. “You probably have the cops on your payroll anyway, right?”
Whatever moment we were having fizzles at that stupid question.
“Watch it.” He mumbles.
“I didn’t mean it like that.” I tense next to him. “I just..”
“It’s fine Annie.”
I have a feeling it’s not really fine though.
He pulls the Porsche into my apartment complex and escorts me to the door silently.
“Uh, thank you, for taking me home,” I mumble sheepishly while fumbling with my keys.
He leans his shoulder against the brick wall next to my apartment door. His eyes locked on my every movement.
“Annie,” he whispers and my eyes lift to meet his instantly.
There was that spark again.
Electric.
It felt like hot fire burning through my veins.
His warm hand sneaks up to gently touch my cheek. Then just as quick, he snatches it back and ice replaces the fire.
“Sorry,” he mutters. “See you tomorrow for more training.”
I watch him walk away. As quickly as he came into my life, he’s gone.
There’s a manilla folder sitting on my desk, taunting me.
Inside it contains every piece of information there is to know about Annie Grace Byrne.
It’s not unusual for me to have my guy pull info on someone I’m working with, really it would be unusual if I didn’t. I have to be safe and protect my family and my crew.
But Annie?
Something about her felt different.
I can’t get the damn girl out of my head. She’s been plaguing my thoughts for the past week. Even though I want to devour every detail of this file, I want to know every single part of Annie's life - for work of course - there’s a part of me that would rather hear her tell me all of her secrets.
Even if her file is sparkly clean, she’s not meant for me. I know this. My line of work is not made for women and civilians.
There’s been so much death lately, so many wives crying over the coffins of their husbands. Not to mention, my father losing his wife. This life is dangerous, that’s something I’ve known since I was a kid.
I have no intention of bringing a woman into it, never have. I’ve avoided relationships forever, yet here I am tethering myself to Annie.
La Famiglia. That is what, who, I should be tethering myself to. Not Annie Byrne.
La Famiglia has been a part of my life since I was born. My great grandfather immigrated from Palermo, Sicily long before I was even thought of.
