Chapter 8

O ver the course of the next few days, we packed up our things and moved inside the pool house of Catalina's estate. Rocco, Kai and I spent some time getting unpacked and getting things set up for the business. Since we all will be here, we appointedKrystal to take responsibility for the office. She will be in charge of sending our team to whatever assignments we provide for them until the mission is complete and they start a new one. Ry and his team still help them with all the blueprints and other information they may look for having to do with their assignment so we're not too worried when it comes to our men. They can handle themselves, and if anything were to happen, we have safe houses in place for them and their clients.

We brought a team with us that will alternate shifts - a group in the morning, midday and night - to surround the house or drive us wherever we need to go. Since I already know all their blind spots and weaknesses within their system, I go in and adjust them to make sure no one can sneak in and out. There's no need for the blind spots anymore now that I'm inside, unless I need to hide my visits to her of course.

I've placed new cameras inside every room of the house in all different angles, even her bedroom. I had to do it while she laid out at the pool one morning, but with the new motion detection, I'll be sure to know when she's in there. Those ones are hooked up to my personal computer and phone. I even secretly placed a tracker on her phone. Can never be too careful. I had planned on duplicating her phone but decided against it. The least I could do is let her have a small semblance of privacy since I've already taken most of it away, not that she knows.

I've barely seen any of the Dominguez brothers or Lina in the past couple days other than from my phone. Lina has remained in her bedroom the majority of the time, and each time I catch glimpses of her in person, she hides behind the hair flowing down her perfect neck as the pink on her face spreads. She knows I'm watching her, devouring her every second I catch sight of her.

She's just that fucking innocent. It's gotten to the point where all I do is watch her from my screen when she's in her room; either smoking on her patio or working out on the floor by her bed. We have yet to have an encounter like when we met, and I'm itching to push her. To start that fire that's waiting for me.

Which is why I'm currently standing outside her bedroom door.

Tapping on it lightly, I slowly turn the knob and as soon as I do, her scent engulfs me. She's laying on her bed, her dark hair in waves framing her head on the pillow and her phone in her hand with a bright smile on her face. She has no make-up on which allows me to see the freckles on her beautiful golden-brown skin. It takes her a moment to register that she is no longer alone and the moment she notices me, her eyes widen and her smile fades.

Well, I hate that reaction.

"Get. Out." She grits, sitting up on her headboard and pointing at the door like she was scolding her dog for being a "bad boy."

I'll be your good boy, baby.

I internally scowl at myself at my lack of restraint, just two seconds in and I'm already picturing all the ways I can make her come, all the ways I can have her screaming out my name.

"We need to talk about how this is going to work. You can't just stay locked up in your room," I reason. Walking towards where she's sitting, I hover over her for a moment before I sit down on her bed far enough away where she can't try to hit me again. Her brow creases with confusion at my comment .

"What is there to talk about? I'll be in here just like I have been every day since you moved in without an escape like a prisoner on house arrest," she remarked, not a vestige of humor showing on her face.

"Actually, I've managed to continue your scheduled boxing classes, and I was able to set aside some time where you can visit that dive bar you like to go to. That way you can visit your friend. It obviously won't be at night or during a time that they are jammed, but at least you'll be able to see her." I pause, letting her take in the news hoping that it will please her in some way.

She just stares at me, her eyes going from dark like she wishes she could stab me to soft as she takes in my words. Her face starts glowing with happiness and that smile, fuck. The fact that it's directed at me like I hung the moon and gave it to her, like she couldn't contain how pleased she is to have some semblance of a life while she's under surveillance goes straight to my heart.

I want all her fucking smiles.

Her small dimples appear by the corner of her mouth, like she can't help but giggle and squeal. And then she does the one thing I don't expect her to do, she flings herself up from where she sat comfortably, wrapping her arms around my neck. Her breasts squeeze against my chest, and I can feel the way her nipples harden from the impact.

Fuck. Don't get a hard on. Don't get a hard on.

My cock doesn't seem to get the message as my cock begins to harden from the sensation of her skin on mine. I'm sure she can tell too since she's practically laying on top of me now, and as much as I want her to feel what she does to me, I can't. She's not ready. Not yet.

Sighing, I slowly inhale her scent and reluctantly pull myself out of her embrace. Standing up, hoping that she can't see the outline of my cock through my pants, and I turn towards the door.

I curse at myself under my breath, for being a goddamn imbecile, and just to solidify that I am, in fact, a dumbass.

"Let me know if you need me," I mumble without turning around.

Yup, a goddamn imbecile.