I hesitate and rub my forehead. Of course, he wants to see her on the anniversary of her mother’s death. I exhale slowly.
“Do you have a problem with that?”
“Of course not. I just know how ... raw I would be if someone wanted to see me on the anniversary and-”
“We are a family. We should be together, mourn together.”
“What if we haven’t closed in on the hitman by then?”
“Hiding her away on that date isn’t going to do anymore. She’ll be protected. Unless you don’t feel up to the task.”
“Of course we are.”
“Then it’s not an issue and we will proceed as expected. With a few moments in private for myself and Juliana.”
“Of course.
“I assume Konstantin is involved again,” He says darkly.
“Yes. He is the liaison to the Volkov ... clan.” I watch my mouth, remembering that some things can be known, but shouldn’t be said – like the mafia business.
“And I’m hoping that they aren’t left alone.”
“She’s a grown woman, Uncle Tony. Konstantin is a good man. You know that or you wouldn’t have hired him.”
“She forgets who she is. She is an heiress. If anyone saw or knew that she was with abodyguardwith no background .... the embarrassment. It’s not like if she was caught with you.”
“And Max.”
“Very funny. He’s nearly my age. He flirts, but Juliana has more than two brain cells. He could try every line in the book and she wouldn’t fall for him.”
I smirk to myself. At least I’m not the only one who sees through Max.
“We’re off topic,” He says. “keep Juliana under control. The rules should be the same as in her penthouse. No one goes into her room or the bathroom unless she’s dying. No touching. No flirting. All three of you, just do your job and rotate before she can sink her claws into you.”
I don’t bother to comment. I agree simply, then move on. Because what else is there to do? Nothing. If he’s going to keep his backward thinking, that’s fine for him. It just means that he’s going to lose his daughter a little more each day until she’s completely free of him.
After double-checking the monitor, I lie down in bed with Juliana. I’ll have to deliver the news tomorrow, but she deserves one full night where she doesn’t have to deal with the weight of the world on her shoulders.
She already has someone out to kill her, she doesn’t need to worry about her mother’s death too.
Juliana rolls over and snuggles closer. “You left me.”
“I am on the job.”
“Rude.” She sighs. “Stay right here.”
“Is that a demand or a request?”
“Please, Gio. Stay.”
The please and the soft tone gets to me. I wrap her up in my arms and kiss the top of her head. “I’ll stay right here, babe.”
Of course, I spend half the night fighting my eyelids until I just can’t anymore. I wake up when Juliana wiggles against me. My cock stands at attention, all ready to go. Juliana hums in her throat and rolls to face me.
“Good morning, handsome.”
“Mmm.”