Dark Protector

From the moment I saw her through the window of her flower shop, something other than darkness took root inside me. Charlie shone like a beacon in a world that had long since lost any light. But she was never meant for me, a man that killed without remorse and collected bounties drenched in blood. I thought staying away would keep her safe, would shield her from me. I was wrong. Danger followed in my wake like death at a slaughter house. I protected her from the threats that circled like black buzzards, kept her safe with kill after kill.

I rescued Sabrina from a mafia bloodbath when she was 13. As the new head of the Philly syndicate, I sent her to the best schools to keep her as far away from the life - and me - as possible. It worked perfectly. Until she turned 18. Until she came home. Until I realized that the timid girl was gone and in her place lived a smart mouth and a body that demanded my attention. I promised myself I'd resist her, for her own good.... I lied.

She’ll never be mine. But I can’t stop thinking about her, dreaming about her, picturing what our lives could have been. The mafia got in the way for both of us. Some things, though, are destined. No matter how much we change, we’re still the same stupid kids who fell for each other before reality tore us apart. Now I’ve been hired to be her bodyguard until she’s wed to a mafia prince. If I don’t get her to the altar, they’ll kill me. But the moment I see her, I realize if she marries another, I’ll be dead in all the ways that matter.