Unlike Luca, who despises Dante, I never got that same feeling from Nova regarding her parents.
“Mom is wonderful. My father, on the other hand, he can be a bit of an ass.” Nova is blunt and pulls her knees up to her chest. “I know I’m lucky. I have everything anyone could ever want—a house, clothing, food, my tuition paid for, but it’s all blood money.”
“Blood money?” I smile. “Dante isn’t the worst monster out there. He’s just a man.”
“A man who kills people for a living.” Nova is well aware of the chain of command; he may be the mafia boss, but he doesn’t typically get his hands dirty.
She wraps her arms around her legs, her chin resting on her knees.
“I just wish we could get away from all of it.” She turns her head, staring at me. “I’m worried about Harper and Zeke. Whoever that man was, threats like that, they don’t just disappear unless they’re meant to scare. Dante doesn’t just scare people.”
I purse my lips, and her gaze tightens.
“What is it?” Nova asks, her hand reaching out for mine. “You’re keeping a secret. I see it in that look on your face.”
I hate how easily she’s learned to read me.
“It’s nothing.”
She sighs and lies back down, stretching out beneath the covers, pulling the blankets up around herself. Nova rolls onto her side, facing away from me.
“You’re mad.” Her body language screams that she’s pissed at me, but her silence is what bothers me more.
Nova emits a heavy sigh and rolls around to face me. “I wish you’d trust me to tell me the truth. If Harper is in danger, I want to help.”
“I don’t want you getting hurt.” I pull her against me, wanting to touch her, caress her, prove to her that I do care about her, above all else.
“I can look after myself. I carry a stun gun and pepper spray with me, and I know how to use a gun.”
I roll Nova onto her back, guiding her legs apart with my knee, and she bites down on her bottom lip, smiling up at me.
“You don’t get to use sex to avoid the conversation.”
“So then, let’s talk,” I whisper against her neck. I drop featherlight kisses across her skin.
Her breathing becomes heavier and more pronounced as I trail a path down and across her breasts.
“I’m glad you know how to stay safe.” I run my tongue over her nipple, and her body arches into my touch.
“Ashton,” she moans, and her fingers tangle in my hair.
I love it when she touches me. Her fingers send tingles through my body. “I just want to protect you.” My kisses move down and across her stomach, and I feel her sharp intake of breath.
“Be honest with me.” Nova struggles to keep her eyes open.
“Always.” I wish it were that simple. I’m not lying to her, just keeping dangerous secrets from her.
I’m protecting her.
Protecting the family.
I descend farther on her body and tease her with my breath between her thighs.
“Ashton,” her voice comes out desperate, and the smile grows on my face. I love hearing that sound, listening to her both needy and eager for me.
I silence all further thoughts from her mind as I drag my tongue over her pussy and she’s moaning and quivering, her fingers tangling in the bedsheets.
I love the sounds she makes, the pleas and moans that spill from her lips.