High Voltage (Ramsey Security #3)

“I’m thinking things will go back to the way they were before Black. I don’t know really. People aren’t always square with me.”


Ruby nods and gestures for Chevelle to stand up. “We should get back. Like I said, you two make people nervous. My mom and sisters live at Lush Gardens too, and they’re ready to come charging to my rescue. We better return before they embarrass themselves.”

“Stay safe and call if you need anything.”

Nodding, Ruby begins walking away and then pauses. I see her struggling with whether to keep her mouth shut. Sighing, she turns around.

“Black has a cabin up in the hills. I hear that’s where he’s holed up waiting for you.”

“Thanks.

Ruby glances at Dino and back at me. “You two will make some pretty babies.”

Dino gives me a cocky smile while I grin awkwardly. “Nice to meet you, Chevelle.”

The girl smiles, but she’s as wary of us as her mother. I look forward to Black being nothing more than a bad memory for Ruby and the rest of the people he’s shit on the last few months.

Dino wraps an arm around my shoulders while we walk back to the SUV.

“I want to name our first boy Luciano after my dad.”

“Sure.”

“What was your father’s name?”

“Eddie.”

“Luciano and Eddie. I like that.”

“I’m not naming my kid Eddie.”

“How about as a middle name?” he suggests.

“No. I don’t like the name.”

“Fine. You can pick the girls’ names.”

We arrive at the SUV, and I pull away from him. “I don’t know if I want kids. I told you that.”

“Only because you’ve never had a kid. Once you do, I see a whole lot of little Bellomi kids.”

“Stop pressuring me,” I grumble, taking the keys so I can drive.

Dino walks around to the passenger door. “If you think that’s me pressuring you, then I don’t know how you’ll handle me going full-on nagging.”

Frowning, I start the car but don’t drive. “I do care about you.”

“I know.”

“I can maybe see us being together past this job.”

“Yeah, I know that too.”

“Will you shut up?”

Dino runs a hand through his thick hair. “No, because you’re planning on saying something stupid and reckless. I can’t let you do something you’ll regret.”

“You don’t need to protect me from myself.”

“Of course I do.”

“Why?”

“If you don’t know the answer to that, Apples, I don’t think I can explain it to you.”

Sighing, I stare out of the front windshield. “What hotel do you want to stay at tonight?”

“Let’s go to the mall first. I’m sick of hotels.”

“Fine. I wouldn’t mind some crappy mall Chinese food.”

Dino smiles slightly at my comment, but he’s plotting. I see the look in his eyes and wish I could trust it. He’s set on an idea that might never happen. He wants to protect me from my stubborn nature, and I feel the same way about protecting him from his impossible dreams.





23


Dino

Buying My Baby Bling

Minka remains in the SUV long after parking at the mall. I’m in no hurry either. She’s thinking too much, and I bet her thinking will lead to something reckless. Despite her years in the business, Minka is too emotional on this job.

“Whenever you’re ready to go shopping, let me know,” I say, leaning back in the seat.

“What are we shopping for?”

“I’m going to buy you an engagement ring.”

Minka gives me a side-eye. “What makes you think I want one?”

“You’re so fucking in love with me, Apples. You might even need an intervention.”

“So, you’re doing me a favor.”

“Oh, I’m in love with you too. I’ve chosen to embrace the love rather than act like a mule about it.”

Minka says nothing for a long time. Hell, five minutes easily pass while she sits silently in the driver’s seat. She doesn’t even look at me, instead staring at the Macy’s sign.

“I admit I’m probably in love with you.”

“That’s big of you.”

Minka frowns but refuses to look at me. “I’ve never been in love before. How can I even know if I love you?”

“You know.”

“I admit I feel more than I ever did for Troy.”

“There you go.”

“I can’t be sure it’s love.”

“You’re so damn stubborn,” I say, poking her in the ribs. “It’s not healthy.”

“You’re not healthy.”

“That’s true too.”

Minka turns to me. “I have this heat in my chest. Is that love, though?”

“If it were only lust, the heat would be lower.”

Fighting a smile, Minka continues, “I want you with me all the time even when you get on my nerves.”

“Which is a lot.”

“You are annoying.”

“And you’re a pain in the ass.”

Minka grips my hand. “I think I love you.”

Her words might seem silly if I didn’t hear the fear in her voice.

“You love me because I’m yours to love. Just accept it and move on. Being scared ain’t helping.”

“I am relieved you say you love me.”

“I say what I mean. You know I don’t mince words.”

“No, that’s why you’re so annoying.”