“I should go.” I stood and grabbed my shirt, shoving my arms into the sleeves. “I don’t think I should be here when Rachel arrives.”

Michael walked up behind me and pressed his lips to my shoulder.

“Stop running, Antonio. You came here last night for a reason. And just like I told you then, I don’t care that you slept with her. Hell, I wanted to bend her over my desk when she was in my office. She’s fucking gorgeous.”

“Right. Thanks for reminding me I was her second choice. You’re the reason she was wasted when she got home. She drove like that. Did I tell you?”

“Yeah,”—Michael made a soft growling noise in his throat— “and we’ll talk to her about being stupid when she gets here. For now, we need to figure out who is watching her because if they’re watching her, you bet your ass they’re watching Vincenzo and Riley.”

“Fine,” I sighed, knowing he was right. We needed answers and me running off every time things got hard had to end. My brother needed me—and I was getting tired of pretending. “She’s going to be pissed when she realizes I’m the one she took to bed last night. I should have told her who I was, but my cock drained all the blood from my brain.”

“And what a glorious cock it is.” Michael palmed my dick and grinned. “But relax. You’re assuming she’ll realize it was you. If she was as drunk as you say, she might not remember much about last night. Let’s just take it as it comes, okay?” He cupped my cheek. “Trust me, Antonio.”

I wanted to believe him, I did, but nothing ever went our way—ever. Not lately, anyway. I didn’t think it was too much to ask for things to settle down. Massimo and Madison deserved to have their wedding, and Riley deserved to give birth without worrying about jail time. I looked at Michael, who was tugging on a shirt while watching me. He made me feel things I never thought I’d feel, and the shame and guilt I held inside was ruining me—ruining our chance. As if he could sense my turmoil, he stepped in front of me and pulled me against his chest.

“Stop. You’re doing it again. You’re fighting this because of your false belief your family will flip out. I know them, Antonio, and they will love you no matter what.”

“I’m afraid, Michael.” Resting my forehead against his, I sighed. “I know you believe they’ll be okay with my sexual orientation, but what if they aren’t? And what about you? Aren’t you the least bit worried they’ll fire you as our legal team?” I stepped back and shook my head. “Let’s not forget the fact I came here and slept with you after sleeping with Rachel.”

“I told you I can handle it. I like women, too, so I understand the needs you have. Perhaps we just need to find one who can love us both.”

I laughed at his ridiculous suggestion. Finding a woman who would accept us both was like finding a unicorn in the desert—it didn’t exist. Even if we did find someone who wanted us both, she might not go for Michael and me having sex with each other. Then you add in the fact my family was the mafia. You could bet your ass any sane woman would hightail it far away from this twisted idea of a relationship.

“It doesn’t matter. For now, we need to worry about clearing Riley’s name and making sure Vin doesn’t do something stupid in the meantime.”

The sound of the doorbell interrupted our conversation.

“She’s here,” Michael smirked at me when my body stiffened. “Relax. We’ll tell her we’re friends, so it won’t seem unusual for you to be here.”

I followed him down the hallway to the door. Michael lived off the beaten path of the Vegas strip. His house was like Fort Knox, with a massive brick wall surrounding the property, set way off the main road. If someone had followed her here, he would know, since there was only one way in and one way out.

Michael opened the door and guided her inside. “Come on in, Rachel.”

“Wow, this is a beautiful place… kind of in the boonies, though.”

He shut the door behind her. “Makes it easy to know if someone follows me home.”

“Paranoid much?”

I smiled at her teasing tone.

Michael shrugged his shoulders. “I work for the Anastasi’s.” His gaze found mine, and he smirked. “The FBI aren’t the only ones who hate them, Rachel. You should know that.”

“Yes. I do.” She stepped around him and skidded to a stop when her eye locked on me. “Antonio Anastasi. I didn’t think I’d see you again.”

I forced my expression to remain neutral as I greeted her. “Good morning, Miss Hill.”

She rolled her eyes and stepped into the living room.

“Please… lose the formalities. Me being here breaks the rules and then some. I don’t think we need to keep up the professionalism act… don’t you agree?”

“Right… Rachel.” My voice came out huskier than I meant, and I swear I saw a flash of recognition in her gaze.

Her eyes were the most unusual color, almost turquoise, and I couldn’t look away. I hadn’t noticed them last night when I had her pinned beneath me. Fuck, just thinking about her naked and splayed on the bed had my cock twitching in my pants. I blinked, coughing to cover the groan that almost slipped out, and turned around. Of course, it wasn’t before catching Michael’s knowing glance and his humorous smirk.

“Michael says you’re being followed. I can assure you it’s not my family.”

Her footsteps padded across the hardwood floor. “How can you be so sure?”

I knew she’d expect proof but telling her would risk her finding out it was my cock buried between her thighs last night.

“I would know.”

“I swear I know you from somewhere.” She squinted at me, her thoughts screaming in the pools of her eyes. I could swear recognition was tickling her memory, trying to rear its ugly head, ousting my secret.

“You fired me.” I held her gaze, daring her to remember, but praying she wouldn’t. “Remember?”

“Yeah… I do, but it’s not that. You seem familiar… in a different way.”

I ignored her statement and sighed.

“We need to figure out who is following you because I am certain they’re probably following my family.”

“Right.” Rachel shook her head and turned to face Michael. “I brought the file. I’m breaking every oath I’ve taken and could get disbarred for this, but I believe Riley is innocent. So much so, I’m willing to stake my career and reputation on that, but I’m going to need something from you.”

“What’s that?” Michael stepped toward her, crowding her body against the back of the couch.

I watched in utter fascination as her body seemed to shake with need the closer he got. Her throat bobbed when she swallowed.

“Why are they hard up for Vincenzo? The evidence points to Dmitri Ivanov as being the man in control of La Lama. What’s his connection?”

Michael glanced my way before speaking. “He wants control of everything. Pinning La Lama’s murders on Vincenzo would eliminate a problem for him. The Anastasis have fucked up his plans and taken something from him. He won’t stop until he’s sought revenge.”

“So, this is all about revenge?” Her voice hitched when Michael reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair from her face.

It was like watching two magnets being drawn toward each other, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the impending crash.

“Yes.” Just as he was moving in to claim her lips, his phone rang. “Fuck.” He shot me a look—one full of irritation coupled with need. He wanted her as much as I did, and that thought made my dick ramrod hard.

“What?” He barked into the phone. His entire body stiffened, and his voice faltered. “When? And is he alive?”

I furrowed my brow in confusion, stepping toward him. “Who is it, Michael?”

“Yes. He’s here with me now. No—” His mouth snapped shut, and he nodded his head. “We’ll meet you there.” Michael pocketed his phone. “We have to go. Rachel, call Agent Jackson.”

Her head swiveled between us, her confusion matching my own. “Why, what happened?”

Michael glanced at me. His eyes were filled with pain as he spoke.

“Vincenzo has been attacked. They are rushing him to the hospital as we speak.”

I didn’t think as I started toward the door.

“Slow down, Antonio.” Michael grabbed my arm and held me firmly. “I’ll drive.”

“Where was he attacked?” Rachel’s expression was muddled with concern.

“He was leaving the restaurant, and someone attacked him. The person shoved a knife into the back of his throat and left him for dead.” Michael held my arm, never breaking contact with me. “Do you believe me now, Rachel? That this is bigger than anyone realizes?”

“I’ll talk to the D.A.” She started toward the door, a look of determination on her face. “This changes everything. I’ll be in touch.” Rachel paused beside me and placed her hand on my chest. A strange look filled her eyes as she stared into my tear-laden gaze. “I’ll pray for your brother.”

I squeezed them close, nodding my head as I pleaded with her. “End this shit with Riley. She can’t deal with this, jail, and pregnancy.”

“I’ll do what I can.”

I watched as she walked out and turned to Michael.

“Let’s go. I can’t lose him.” He pulled me into his embrace and ran his hands through my hair.

“You won’t.” Michael pressed his lips to mine, the comfort of his touch warming me from the inside out. I couldn’t keep hiding the way I felt about him. Not from myself or from my brothers. Once this was over, I’d come clean with everyone. Michael deserved that much from me.

“Oh….” Rachel’s shocked voice drew us apart. “I…” She shifted nervously at the door. “Forgot my bag.”

“It’s on the table.” Michael pointed toward the coffee table and then watched as she moved into the living room. “Rachel.”

She held her hand up. “No. It’s not my business.”

Michael stepped in front of the door, blocking her path. “I owe you some kind of explanation.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

“Stop.” He grabbed her wrist. “We kissed, Rachel, and seeing me kissing a man has to leave you with questions.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She tried to tug free. “The kiss was a mistake… obviously.”

“I’m bisexual.” Michael blurted out, shocking both of us. “I’m attracted to men and women.”

She blushed as she glanced at me. “And he’s okay with that?”

“Yes, he’s fine with it.”

My brows knitted together in confusion that he didn’t ‘out’ me as being bisexual as well.

“I’m attracted to you, Rachel. I know it’s more than you want to hear, but I needed you to know the kiss meant something to me.”

“What about him? That’s kind of awful to him, isn’t it?”

“Rachel.” My voice cracked. “I need to tell you something.”

She turned toward me. “I don’t need to know what your relationship with him is, Antonio. Again, it’s not my business.”

Michael nodded, silently begging me to tell her the truth.

“I know you’re not being followed by my family because I’ve been watching you, and I didn’t tell your boss about your meeting with Michael.”

“What do you mean, you’ve been watching me? Is that why you were at my house, acting like a contractor?”

I held my breath. Everything was unraveling in front of my eyes at record speed, and I didn’t know how to stop it or if I even wanted to.

“Well?”

Her voice jerked me to the present.

“Look, I want to tell you everything, but I need to get to the hospital. Fuck.” I ran my hands through my hair, frustrated with the timing of all this.

“Tell her, Antonio.” Michael pressed his palm to my shoulder.

“Tell me what? For Christ’s sake, you two are looney. I have to go.” She shoved the bag up over her shoulder and pushed past Michael.

“It was me last night.” My words halted her steps. “I’m bisexual, too, Rachel.”

“It was you last night, what?” She searched my face, a moment of confusion, but as she searched her memory, the realization struck hard. “You were the man in my house last night. The man I…” Her voice trailed off. “Oh, fuck.”

“I tried to leave, but you were adamant. I’ve wanted you from the moment I saw your picture. I think a part of me agreed to go undercover and watch you because I needed to get close to you… and not entirely for the reasons you think.”

“You fucked me.” She pointed her finger at me, then at Michael. “And you kissed me. Do you see how messed up this is?”

“It wasn’t planned. You know that.” Michael stepped behind her, his chest pressing against her back. “Deep down, you can’t deny our attraction.”

Rachel’s eyes closed as she took a deep breath.

“It’s wrong, Michael. I slept with an Anastasi. A man who’s related to the woman I’m trying for manslaughter. Not to mention a man I fired from the job… a job he was doing to get dirt on me for.”

I stepped in front of her, hoping she’d felt the connection between us last night—the connection that was burning in the room now.

“But how do you feel?”

“I…” She glanced up, licking her lips at my nearness. Her eyes flashed with confusion, and I watched as she stepped out from between us. Clutching her bag to her chest. “I have to go.”

Michael and I watched as she ran down the steps and jumped into her car, her vehicle disappearing down the drive before either of us spoke.

I exhaled. “I fucked everything up.”

“No, you didn’t. I know you feel it, so does she, but this is a lot right now. Hell, her career is about to implode, and she doesn’t know how to handle that.”

“What if she never talks to us again?” I turned to look at Michael.

“She will. Give her time.” He leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to my lips. “Let’s go. We need to see about Vincenzo and Riley. This whole situation reeks of Dmitri Ivanov.”

Purchase Direct or Order from your favorite retailer:

Amazon

Apple

Nook

Kobo

Google

Smashwords

Scribd