10. Vin

Thoughts of Hannah fill my head, teasing and tormenting me for hours after I dropped her off back home. I'm pissed at myself because I said I had to work, but I'm not working today. I don't officially start until Monday, but I needed some space from the bewitching beauty who is making me think all sorts of things I'm not used to thinking. She's making me want things. Impossible things.

So, I did the only thing I could—I went into self-preservation mode and got her out of here before I did something I would later regret.

Now I'm wishing I would've kept her here and that we were back in my bed. Because, goddamn it, Hannah Everson rocked my world last night. I woke up every hour and wanted to start kissing and touching her again. But, I didn't. I held myself back, fought my desire, knowing that she was probably sore and tired. Then I forced myself to let her go, slid out of bed and went out on the balcony to try and clear my head.

It didn't work. A shower didn't help either. Nor did getting dressed and drinking coffee. At some point last night, I not only fucked Hannah, I fucked myself. Because as much as I want to deny and ignore it, I care about her. My angel is sweet, innocent and kind. She's exactly what I've always wanted in a partner, but that's what scares the hell out of me. Hannah is all the things that my ex wasn't, but I refuse to open my heart again. It's not worth the inevitable pain that always happens because relationships never last. No matter how badly you want them to. I learned my lesson the hard way—but I did learn it and I refuse to be one of those fools who repeats a mistake.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Even though I'm keeping my walls up and heart guarded, maybe we can still be physical. Sure, my emotions will be kept in check and locked down tight, but maybe she'd want to have a physical relationship. I know she deserves more, but I simply can't give it to her. I can, however, give us both more pleasure and make sure she has a body and bed to keep her warm.

Dammit, I know I'm walking a slippery slope and I need to be careful or I could fall for her. It would be so easy to do, too. Spending the day with Hannah wasn't an option. Not when I'm trying to keep my distance from the tempting beauty.

So, like a stubborn fool, I spend the day all alone in my big apartment and torture myself with thoughts of Hannah and how amazing it felt when I was deep inside her sweet, wet heat. At some point, I growl in frustration and grab my phone. I'm really fucking confused and need some advice. Since Enzo already knows about the auction, I call him. Enzo suggests we meet at the bar for a drink and he wants to hear all about the auction and what happened.

It doesn't take me long to reach Maximilian's, an upscale place where businessmen like my brother Enzo hang out. I think Enzo will help me figure out the situation. He may be a little younger than me, but he's a level-headed businessman. He's also a charmer who never lacks women. Enzo understands the danger of being a billionaire mafia son and what it means when everyone looks at you with his or her hand out.

I spot Enzo at a corner table, nursing a whiskey, and I walk over and sit down across from him.

"Hey, big brother," he says in greeting. "What's got your panties in a bunch?"

Enzo can read me only too well. "How about that fucking sex auction you sent me to the other night?"

He instantly sobers. "I'm sorry, Vin. I had no idea it was like that. I just thought you might be able to go and pick up somebody. I didn't realize you had to pay for it."

"One-hundred fifty six thousand dollars, to be exact," I murmur under my breath and motion to the waiter to bring me a whiskey like my brother's.

Vin chokes. "What? Jesus. That pussy better be sparkling with diamonds and come with a 401K for that amount of money."

I hesitate. He doesn't realize yet that I actually bid on someone. But, again, Enzo can read people extremely well and his dark eyes go wide.

"Wait. Are you saying that you bought someone?" he asks incredulously, his dark eyes going comically wide.

"I bid on her and won, yeah."

"Holy fucking shit." A huge grin fills his face. "Never in a million years would I have pictured you paying for sex."

"We didn't have sex." I hesitate, thinking over what happened. "Well, not that night."

"Oh, my God, Vin, what the hell have I missed in the last two days?"

I nod my thanks as the waiter places a glass of whiskey in front of me. God knows, I need some alcohol before I launch into this clusterfuck of a story. After a long, satisfying sip, I focus on my brother. "I was about to leave the auction when a woman walked onto the stage and I knew something wasn't right. She looked terrified and a couple of creeps started bidding on her. So, I outbid them and got her out of there."

"Such a hero." My brother grins from ear to ear.

"Shut up, Enzo. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't even be in this mess."

"How's it a mess? Sounds like you got yourself a woman."

I suppose he's right, but falling for Hannah is a huge problem. "Her name is Hannah. Dexter Creed, the loan shark, was forcing her to auction her virginity off to pay her debt back to him."

My brother's face screws up in distaste. "Fucker," he grumbles.

"Yeah, big-time fucker."

"Sorry, bro. I swear I didn't know it was that kind of auction."

I shrug a shoulder. "I got her out of there and we spent the night together, but nothing happened. Not until last night, anyway."

"You slept with her?"

I nod, suddenly feeling like the world's biggest heel. Did I take advantage of her? No, she'd practically thrown herself at me and said she wanted to repay me. Of course, that wasn't necessary, but I still took her virginity.

"Regrets?" Enzo asks.

I think over his question for a long minute. Did I regret spending the night with that beautiful woman and taking her innocence? "No," I state. "But the problem is…fuck, I don't know. I'm so confused."

Enzo takes a sip of his whiskey and studies me over the rim of his glass. "What are you confused about? It sounds like you met someone that you actually like. Spend some time with her and get to know her better."

But, I shake my head. "I can't."

"Why not?"

I huff out a frustrated breath and shove a hand through my hair. "Because! Wanting to be with her involves opening myself up to be hurt again. I can't do that," I grit out. "I won't."

Getting over Cynda was the hardest thing I'd ever done and her betrayal had scorched me and left a deep scar.

"You can't compare every woman you meet to Cynda," Enzo says in a quiet, careful voice. He knows he best tread lightly when it comes to this subject. My whole family knows and I never discuss what happened. Not fucking ever.

"Easier said than done."

"It sounds to me like you want to spend time with Hannah, but you're fighting yourself on it."

"Oh, I'll be spending a helluva lot of time with her. If she accepts my job offer."

"You offered her a job?"

"As my new assistant," I explain. "Miceli said I needed someone, and Hannah needs a better job. It makes sense."

"And she hasn't accepted?" Enzo's mouth quirks up in a smirk. "Why not?"

"I don't know. Maybe because I took her virginity last night and then turned into a first-class bastard this morning."

"Aww, fuck, Vin. What did you do?"

"Woke up, questioned everything, panicked and then took her straight home." I scrub a hand over my face. "Not my best moment."

"No, it doesn't sound like it." He turns his glass in a circle. "Most women don't appreciate being kicked out immediately after sex."

"I didn't kick her out!" He arches a brow. "I sort of scooted her out."

"Same thing, man."

I let out a weary sigh. "I'm a damn idiot. But I don't know what to do now."

"Stop focusing on the potential negatives. Be happy and enjoy life for once. Indulge. If it goes somewhere then great and if not, then oh well. Don't let yourself be so hung up on Cynda still. That's all in the past. Time to move on to greener pastures."

It's easy for Enzo to give advice, I realize, because he's never had his heart broken before. But I do want to be happy. And Hannah makes me laugh and smile. The urge to get to know her better fills me. But am I brave enough to do it? To take a chance?

I just don't know if I can.

"Stop debating over every little thing that can go wrong and go call your girl," Enzo encourages me. He swallows back the rest of his whiskey. "Now I gotta go stop by the office."

"On Sunday?"

"Every day is a work day, Vin," he says, slapping a palm down on the table and standing up. "There's no such thing as relaxing on the weekend when it comes to making money."

"You know what they say—all work and no play…"

"You find me someone to play with and maybe I'll consider taking Sundays off." He tosses me a salute, throws a wad of cash on the table and says, "Drinks are on me. Now go fix this situation with Hannah by at least getting her to agree to be your assistant. Okay?"

I nod then watch my brother walk out. Every single pair of female eyes follows him and I roll my own eyes. He could have every woman in this city eating out of his hand if he wanted. Maybe one day he'll look around and take his pick. But, probably not anytime soon. He's too wrapped up in increasing the family fortune.

Plucking my phone out of my jacket, I can't resist the temptation to call Hannah any longer. Of course, I'm calling her because, goddammit, I want to hear her voice. But I'm going to pretend it's more about the job offer than the simple fact I'm jonesing to hear my angel's voice.

"Vin?"

The moment she answers, I know something isn't right. She sounds out of breath and even a little scared.

"Hannah, what's wrong?" I immediately ask, straightening up to my full height and instantly in tune with her fear. "Are you okay?"

"Um, I don't know. I mean, yes, I think so."

"Where are you? What's going on?"

"That guy from the auction just showed up out of nowhere."

The blood in my body freezes. "What?" I hiss.

"Caleb Durant. He wanted me to get in his car, but I said no. I'm hurrying back to my apartment right now?—"

"I'm coming. Listen carefully. I want you to stay on the line with me, okay? I'm coming to you. How far are you from your place?"

"Maybe ten minutes? I took a walk, trying to clear my head."

"I'm on my way, Angel. Just keep walking and I'll find you, okay?"

"Okay," she whispers, and I have the impression she's clutching onto the phone, holding it to her ear like a lifeline.

Heart in my throat, I hit the gas and fly over to Brooklyn in record time. Luckily, it doesn't take me too long because I was already fairly close and I find Hannah almost to her apartment. Pulling the car over, I throw the door open. "Hannah!"

The moment she hears my voice, she stops and jumps in, pulling the door shut and locking it. "I'm so glad to see you," she gushes and my chest tightens. "For a minute, I thought he was following me, but I don't know."

The fear in her voice makes me tighten my grip on the steering wheel and want to beat the living shit out of Caleb Durant. "You're sure you're okay?" I ask, prying my hand loose from its steel grip around the wheel and snagging hers.

"I am now," she reassures me.

"No one is going to hurt you," I tell her. The feel of her small hand in mind settles my mind. I have her. She's safe. No one is taking her from me. "I promise."

And I mean it. From this point forward, I'm taking Hannah Everson under my protection. Whether she likes it or not.