Page 39 of Jake

“Holyfuckingshit!” I suddenly understood some of why Natalie was in hiding.

“After ‘Eleanor’ was buried and the estate sold, I organised for her to have a change of identity. Coming here will ensure it is much easier for me to protect her.” Bonello gathered Natalie’s hand. “I will do everything in my power to keep her safe.”

“The red hair and green eyes, don’t you think that’s a dead giveaway to anyone looking for her?” Connor made a good point. Add her unusually tall height to the mix, and it wouldn’t be too hard for someone to figure out who she was.

“We have a couple of problems, but the hair and eyes aren’t one of them. Hume was aware his daughter would always be at risk, so from the age of five, she had unremarkable straight brown hair and dirty blue contacts to hide the green. What you see now is her natural colouring. Her height was something we couldn’t do anything about."

"What are the problems you have?”

“Oriole would be well aware his step-daughter is with me; he wouldn’t believe she’s dead. Other crime syndicates may have bought the ruse; he would not.”

“The other problem?” I asked.

“You.” Bonello pierced me with his gaze.

“Me? I have no intention of endangering Nat.”

“Are you sure? I saw how angry you were when we entered this office. Now you know her true identity, how do I know you won’t inform Oriole? There would be a hefty payment for information if he wants to know her whereabouts.”

I erupted from the chair, skirted around the desk, and grabbed Bonello by the shirt front, pulling him onto his feet.

“How dare you! How dare you accuse me of being a rat! I don’t care who you are, I will not stand here and listen to you accusing me of being bought off in exchange for the woman I love. You, sir, are so far out of line, the line has ceased to exist.”

I was livid and threw him back down in the chair. He grinned. I was ready to use my fists to wipe that grin from his lips permanently, but Connor growled at me to knock it off and sit down.

“You were right, Don Masterton; your brother is in love with Natalie and poses no threat to her safety.”

My head swivelled between Connor and Bonello like watching a ping pong game. Natalie had a stunned expression on her face.

“What the fuck is going on here?” I rested my arse on the corner of the desk.

“I’m sorry, Jake.” Connor apologised; I had no idea why. “When I saw you were getting serious with Nat, I met with Alex, told him you were in love with her and asked him about her past. I wanted to ensure she was no threat to any of us, although being a part of Don Bonello’s business, I suspected there was no need for concern. He explained about the danger Nat was in and I offered our protection in addition to what Alex was providing to help her stay safe. I gave you enough information in the file to ensure you would want a meeting of your own.” Connor smiled at Bonello. “Alex wanted you to know the full story and to hear it from him and Nat.”

Natalie stood and moved tentatively towards me. “You love me?”

I nodded and gathered her into my arms. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but yeah, I love you.”

I crushed Natalie to me, lowered my head, and claimed the kiss I’d wanted since shortly after she’d entered the office.

“I think our job is done, Alex. We’ll leave these two love birds alone.”

I heard the door close with a soft click. Our kiss continued until we drew back breathless.

Natalie gazed up at me, her green eyes sparkling. “I love you so much, Jake, but I’m terrified of putting you in danger.”

“Trust us, Nat. We’ll keep you safe, sweetheart. It seems there isn’t anything to indicate Pierre wants to exact revenge on you. To be brutally frank, if the man is as powerful as Alex and Connor say he is, you would have been dead long before now, regardless of any protection. So, how about we head home?”

“Home?”

“I’d like you to move in with me if you’re ready.”

“Sounds like a perfect plan. Since Tania is living with Connor, we can head to work from your compound together. Take me home, Jake. I want you so badly.”

It hadn’t been two weeks as Barry had demanded, it was ten days since he’d given me the go-ahead for blow jobs, but it was damn near long enough. I couldn’t wait any longer and I suspected neither could Natalie.

CHAPTER TWELVE

QUINN