Chapter 11

Chapter Eleven

I 've never really been one to second-guess my actions. I live by the motto: What will be will be. Right now, sitting across from Kayleigh in this restaurant, surrounded by animals disguised as businessmen, all I can think is… what the fuck was I thinking bringing her here?

It's like I've just fed a lamb to the wolves. The thing that's really bothering me is the fact I don't know why I fucking care. I want the wolves to eat her alive, or at least I thought I did.

The moment my skin touched hers when she brushed by me, I felt a shift. My whole body came alive at the contact. I had to refrain from pushing her up against the wall right there in the hallway of her dorm building and fucking her like the raging lunatic my cock seems to have become around this girl.

It's as if I've never felt a pussy before. Just one touch has me on edge, itching to get inside her. To claim her. It's a possessiveness I don't recognize in myself and have no business feeling.

"You doing okay?" I ask when I notice Kayleigh fidgeting with the knife on the table. We've only just sat down and she's nervous. Not that I blame her. I would be too if I were the only cop in a room full of people who would kill me without a second thought.

"I… There're a lot of forks on the table," she says.

"Have you never fine dined?" I lift a questioning brow.

"I'm a college student. Fine dining isn't really in my budget." The lie passes through her lips so easily it's almost believable.

"Right, well, stick with me, babe, and you won't have to live on ramen." I wink at her.

Kayleigh rolls her eyes. "I happen to like ramen," she says, glancing down at the table before adding, "There are no menus."

"This place doesn't have menus. I've already ordered for us."

"How do you know what I want? Or if I have any food allergies?"

Shit, I didn't consider the allergy thing.

"Do you?" I ask. "Have allergies?"

"No, but that's not the point," she tells me.

"Don't worry. If you don't like what gets put in front of you, don't eat it. I can always take you home and make you some ramen if you'd prefer," I offer with a shrug.

"I'm sorry. I sound like an ungrateful asshole. I'm just… not used to being in places like this," she says, glancing around for the millionth time. I can see her eyeing up every person in the room. Calculating. Planning.

"Pretend it's just you and me." I reach over and grip the hand that's still fidgeting with the knife. "I would advise you not to stab me in here, though." I chuckle.

"Why would I need to stab you?"

"Because you look like you want to."

"I have no desire to see you bleed," she says.

No, she just wants to see me rot in a prison cell for the rest of my life.

"Good to know." I remove my hand from hers. Not because I want to, but because I spot company approaching and I don't need to give anyone the impression this woman is important to me.

"Valentino, haven't seen you around here for a while." Frank Esposito stops next to Kayleigh's chair.

I watch as color drains from her face and her body goes rigid. "I've been busy. How're the wife and kids?" I ask the old asshole. I personally can't stand the guy. But this is a place of peace, so I have to be cordial. Also, the quicker I make polite conversation, the quicker he'll leave.

"All good. It's good to be home," he says.

Frank just got released from prison a few months back. Again, I don't like the guy so I didn't care to learn what he got pinned with. I just know he's a creep without limits. At least that's what I heard.

"I bet." I nod in agreement. I have nothing I want to say to the old man.

"I'll leave you in peace. Give your father my regards." Frank nods and turns to leave before stopping to stare down at Kayleigh. "Do I know you from somewhere?"

Kayleigh looks at me, like a deer caught in the headlights. Then she clears her throat and peers up at Frank. "No, I can't imagine how you would," she says.

"This is Kayleigh, my wife," I say. No idea why I've just claimed her like that.

"Wife? I didn't know. Congratulations." Frank nods before walking off.

Shit. I've fucked up.

I knew it as soon as the words were out of my mouth. Kayleigh, though? She appears as though she's seen a ghost. "What's wrong?" I ask her.

She can't know what I've just done. She can't know what it means for both of us.

"I, um… I need to go," she says, pushing up from the table.

Without thinking, I flick my eyes in Frank's direction. He's sitting at a table, staring directly at Kayleigh. I don't like the way he's looking at her. Like he's trying to unravel some sort of puzzle.

"Let's go. I think I'd prefer ramen anyway." I stand while trying to make light of the situation.

Once I have her in the car, Kayleigh turns to look out the window. Back towards the restaurant. "Thank you. I'm really sorry. I just don't feel well all of a sudden," she says. "Can you drop me off at my dorm?"

"Sure," I tell her, even though I have no intention of doing that. Something I'm certain she'll figure out real quick.

"Why did you say I was your wife?" Kayleigh asks as I pull out into traffic.

"I don't know. I didn't like the way he was looking at you, and in my world, wives are untouchable," I tell her.

"No, they're not." Her words are barely a whisper, but I hear them.

"What was that?"

"Nothing." She looks away from me and sinks down into her seat.

What the fuck was I thinking, taking this girl to a place like that? And why the hell does Frank Esposito seem so damn interested in her?

Who are you, piccolo ladro?