“Joel, you didn’t sign up for this,” Faith whispered, her eyes giving away how very much she wanted this to be real.
I reached out and cupped her cheek, gratified when she leaned into the gesture instinctually.
“No, I didn’t. I also didn’t expect to find you at that auction tonight, Faith. And you did not expect me.” I slid my thumb across her reddened cheek, wanting to kiss away her worries. “And I certainly did not expect for you to have a niece who seems to need you as much as I…” I let my words fall away. I wanted to tell her that I believed I needed Faith ju st as much. That my daughter Penny did as well. Except it was a lot for one day. Too much.
Turning to her father, I clasped my hands in front of me, ready to make a deal. Business had always been my wheelhouse, and negotiating an exhilarating challenge I never shied away from.
“Mr. Marino, I’m offering to take your granddaughter and daughter into my care. I will give them all they need, and all they desire. In a month’s time, when we are to be wed, if you feel that this situation is not acceptable to you, we will reconvene and discuss further options.”
Faith’s father shoved his fingers through his thick hair and rested his hand at the back of his neck. “Eden really misses you, cara mia. She needs a woman in her life. And having her locked away in the office at the restaurant or with the babysitter while I work is getting very trying.”
I held my breath and watched the two look at one another, both seeming uncertain.
“You want Eden to go with us? To live with you and your daughter in Greece? Truly?” Faith inquired.
I smiled, knowing I’d just received exactly what I wanted. Victory, pure and sweet, lifted my chest.
“My Penelope would love having Eden to play with every day,” I said, reminding her that I already had a child. “Another child in my home won’t be a problem. I adore children.”
She bit into her lip and started to pace as the little girl on her hip had already fallen asleep against her aunt’s chest.
“Can we think about it?” Faith asked.
I nodded. “You have until after the meeting with Madam Alana tomorrow. Then we fly to Greece. I cannot be away from my own child any longer.”
Faith nodded. “Okay. Um, let me put her to bed. Then I’ll come back with you.” She left the room and headed down a hallway as if she knew the home well. Probably had grown up here .
“I’m going to make a phone call, outside.” I pointed to the front door to excuse myself.
Her father stopped me with a hand to the center of my chest. “Don’t hurt her,” he implored, his gaze beseeching in its intensity. “She’s been hurt enough.”
I nodded curtly and waited until Mr. Marino shuffled down the same hallway Faith had, then I brought out my phone.
“Joel, cousin, what can I do for you?” Bruno, the head of security for my company, answered on the first ring. It didn’t matter what time of day or night, he was paid handsomely to answer at my whim. And he took his job seriously.
“Find out everything there is to know about Las Vegas hotelier Aiden Bradford, my future wife Faith Marino, her father Robert Marino, her sister Grace Marino, and her niece Eden Marino. Have what you can emailed to me by noon tomorrow. That is all.”
“It will be done,” he said and hung up.
I took a deep breath of the dry desert air, and exhaled victory.
Next up, dealing with Aiden Bradford.
Episode 26
A Tale of Two Brothers
NOAH
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The alarm went off at the crack of dawn. Golden light speared through the windows, bringing the room to life. I rubbed my face and glanced out the window. The sun shone over the desert landscape, slowly waking the city below.
Even without the gaudy flashing lights, Las Vegas was stunning from up here. But I didn’t have the time to ponder the view. I had a meeting to attend with my brother and the lovely Ruby Dawson.
I jumped out of bed naked and went straight to the open-concept shower and turned the tap to scalding. Then I hit the toilet, and by the time I was back the water had heated.
Flashes of last night came to me as I let the water work out the tight muscles and tension in my neck and back.
Ruby laughing at a joke I made.
Her perfect red lips wrapping around a morsel of cheesecake she allowed me to feed her.
My dick stirred at the memories, and I wrapped my hand around my hardening length, giving it a healthy stroke .
Pleasure rolled like sizzling pinpricks through my spine and settled heavily at my balls. I hissed against the aching need.