"He seems so…. cold," I carefully offer.
"He can be, but most of it is because he doesn't want anyone to see the hurt inside that he carries. I know it’s there because I’ve felt it myself. The way we grew up changes you. Niko grew up harder than most of us, but then his story is a little worse.” My mind balks at the possibly that Niko could have had it worse than the story that Callan glossed over. What would a life like that do to a man?
“I would have never guessed,” I reply, unsure of what else to say.
“Niko cares for Emilia, but I'm not sure he will ever let his guard completely down. Still, Emilia is safe with him. He will move heaven and earth to protect her."
"A woman needs more from a man than just the security, though," I reason.
"What do you need?"
"Love," I say, shocked the L word is so quick to fall out of my mouth.
"Do you truly believe it exists?"
"My dad loved my mom so much that he has never married again. I don't think he's even dated. He always said that he already had the best there is, and there's no substitute for that. That’s what I want. A once in a lifetime kind of love with lots of babies. I even want the white picket fence," I laugh, only slightly embarrassed.
"I've never seen anything close to that kind of love, Zoe. When I hear your belief in it, I want it too."
"You deserve that kind of love,” I respond, feeling heat creep into my face.
Callan stares at me, his face intent and then his lips crush mine.
It’s a searing, mind-blowing kiss, making me admit that every time he kisses me feels like the first time. It’s always so good that it erases anything and everything that has happened in the past. By the time he pulls back, my body is on fire, and I’m starving for more of him. If Callan pressed me now, I would deny him nothing. Yet, he surprises me by pulling back to kiss my forehead.
"I'm giving you time because you asked, not because I want to," he says, his voice hoarse and full of hunger. I smile as he pulls me closer. I know he's telling the truth because I can feel the hard outline of his cock pressing against me. I turn to look at him.
"You're nothing like I thought you would be," I tell him.
"Is that a good thing?" he asks.
I can't answer him at first because of the massive yawn that escapes me. "It's a very good thing." My eyes are heavy now that I'm not distracted by his lips. I don't fight to keep them open. I burrow in against his warm chest instead. I feel him kiss my forehead and smile.
"Get some sleep." I barely register his words as my body relaxes. "I'll watch over you and make sure you're safe."
With those words floating in my head, I let sleep claim me.
Chapter 15
Callan
I knew if I called Marco Dean that he might be able to help me. I assisted him awhile back with some tax issues with his corporations. Marco’s got his finger on the pulse of Miami and will know just where I need to go to find what I need.
I’ve already talked to Dave at the garage. Zoe’s car is a piece of junk. I’m actually surprised it hasn’t died on her already. The thing is a death trap. There’s a long list of things wrong with it. It’ll cost more than the car is worth to fix everything.
The wheel bearings are bad on two tires, the brakes were spongy and when Dave checked the master cylinder, he found it’s leaking and needs replaced. All four tires were worn past the indicators. The biggest issue is that the frame of the car is rusted, likely from the salt air, but there’s a crack in it. It could possibly be welded, but chances are the entire frame is too weak to hold a good weld. Plus, the engine has over two hundred thousand miles. There’s also signs of a severe oil leak. It’s just a matter of time before it dies. There’s no way I’m going to allow her to sit in rolling junk—let alone drive it around.
Zoe will give me hell. I’m already expecting it. I’ve ordered her a rental in the meantime. I had it delivered to her house on the promise that it would only be for a few days. I gave her the excuse that Dave needed time to fix the brakes. She told me she’d just hitch a ride to work with her dad instead and refused the rental. I didn’t like it, but I let her think she won. I’m learning when it comes to Zoe, I need to pick my battles.
“Callan Miller, long time no speak,” Marco says when he picks up the phone. His assistant transferred me to his line after a brief hold.
“That’s for sure. How have you been?”
“Things are good. Unless you’re calling to give me bad news. This isn’t about the tax issues, right? I’m hoping everything was fixed the first time.”
“No, that’s all good. I’m looking into purchasing a vehicle with certain safeguards that I know you could understand.”
We don’t discuss the fact that both of us have mob ties, but it’s an unspoken understanding. That’s why I know he will pick up on my word choice. He’ll understand that I’m not looking for the bells and whistles offered on a showroom floor. Zoe may not be connected to Niko’s world, and hell, I’m not either, to an extent. Still, I deal with people that are. That means my woman needs that extra protection.
I could’ve just gone to Niko for them but with Niko being dead set against me starting anything with Zoe, he wouldn’t have agreed. He doesn’t understand that I’m keeping Zoe. I don’t need to hear from him how he knows everything will end badly. That’s bullshit. Nothing is going to end. Ever. I’m going to keep her and be the man that gives her those babies she’s talked about.
Hell, I’ve even called realtors to start finding me a house with a picket fence and lots of bedrooms. It might be a little crazy and if I brought it up to her, it would scare Zoe. So, buying her an SUV that has bullet-proof glass and a hidden GPS system—one that’s made to locate her, even if the factory one is disabled—is my way of protecting her. Keeping Zoe in the dark is giving her time to get adjusted to me. I don’t need her to run away from me. That’s the last thing I want.
That’s why I plan on not telling her about the hidden options on the Mercedes GLS. Yes, she will think it costs close to one hundred grand when really, with what I’m having it equipped with, it’ll be a lot more. I don’t give a fuck if it keeps her safe.
“Is everything good there?” Marco asks.
“Damn good,” I murmur. “I just want to make sure my woman is protected when I can’t be there. She’s very headstrong, so it’s something I need done quickly.”
“It’s women with that vein of stubborn in them you must watch out for, my friend. I married one, so I would know,” Marco says, laughing.
“I’ve discovered that,” I joke.
“Well, if you’re protecting someone precious, I think I can help you. I have a nephew in Vegas. His name is Brendan Russo. He owns a luxury car dealership. He can get all the options you’re looking for and have the car delivered to you quickly.”
“Perfect. What am I looking at price wise?”
“You’re looking at starting…two fifty. It could be more.”