Revised Chapter 1 and New Chapter 2 Emma and Leo
Liz's Progressive NovelYeah, I don't like that name either so you need to help me think of another one.
Hey everyone!
Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions for Chapter 2. I hope you will be pleased. I was able to integrate many of your suggestions.
PLEASE keep the comments coming. Chapter 3 needs some of your marvelous input. Should the obvious happen, or do you want it to go in a totally different direction. You will know what I mean after you read Chapter 2.
I'm also thinking that Emma needs a tattoo. What do you think? What and where should it placed?
Any other suggestions?
It was necessary to do a little bit of re-writes on Chapter 1. That's why it's included below.
As always, let me put a disclaimer in here.
1. I have no idea if this is going to work.
2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy!
3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough.
4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.
Copyright 2015All rights reservedThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions except as may be expressly permitted in writing from lizabeth@LizabethScottBooks.com
Leo waited in his car across from the police station. His mark, Vito Ramone Vargas had been picked up for questioning, and had called his number one to pick him up. Leo had been working for the past week trying to find out who Vito’s supplier was and how his drug shipments were getting in. It had been a while since Leo had been in the field and felt the rush of adrenalin when working undercover. He missed that part of it. The part he didn’t miss was being shot at, living in roach infested motels, and being away from his family for months at a time. That was why he had started his own business. Now days, he ran operations from the comfort of his desk, or war room. This job had come up suddenly and everyone else was already on another case. The money was good but that wasn’t why he accepted. Eliminating a major trafficking ring was all the incentive Leo had needed. Leo and his five hand-picked friends from his SEAL days were now partners in a top secret security business. They were called in by governments and major corporations all over the world to handle situations before they became situations. Their mode of operation was to come in under the radar and leave just as invisibly. Leo had finally gotten inside Vargas’ inner circle. Soon now he would be able to supply his people with the name they needed, and Vitto, and his cronies would be history. His eyes drifted to the front door as he reached into his duffle bag, and pulled out a bottle of water. The waiting…he didn’t miss at all. Leo scratched his earlobe. The earrings were driving him crazy. How did women wear them all the time? It had been years since he had worn an earring but he needed to look the part. His wardrobe department had gone a bit overboard dressing him.His phone vibrated, he smiled when he saw the name on the display. His mother had no idea of the time zone he was in. By her time she was just settling in to watch her favorite shows on television. “Hi Mamma.” His eyes kept watch on the two large glass doors for Vito.“Lorenzo, what is this I hear, you no come to the family dinner on Sunday? Why do you wanna make your Mamma cry? Your father just said, Lorenzo is working this weekend. Working! Since when does my boy work on the Sunday. Your father, he must be wrong. This is right, yes Lorenzo?”Leo smiled, his mom had lived in the United States for over forty years but she still had a thick Italian accent, “I’m sorry but yes, I’m working this weekend.” Leo scrunched down in his seat as two uniformed officers exited the building.“But why? I wanted you to meet Mrs. De Santos’ daughter. She is a lovely girl I know you will be so happy to meet her. She would make a good wife Lorenzo and her hips they are wide, she will have many babies. This I know.”Leo scrubbed his hand down his scruffy face before answering, “I’m sorry Mamma, but I will be working.” He knew what that statement would mean to his mother, it would be like waving a red flag in front of an angry bull, but he would be lucky to wrap the assignment up within two weeks. “What will I tell Mrs. De Santos? I have already told her you will be here to meet her daughter. They have made plans already.” Leo frowned, his mother switched to Italian which was never a good sign. “I don’t need help finding a wife, Mamma.” His mother had been trying for years to set him up with any and every marriageable age women in town.“This I do not believe. You never bring anyone home. I worry Lorenzo. I worry that you will die and never know the happiness that your father and I have had, sharing our lives with each other and with our children. That is what I want for you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, his mother had turned on the tear works as well.“I know Mamma, and I want that too. But, I have to do this my way.” He said softer, hoping she would understand and back off. It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying to find a wife. Okay, so it was like he wasn’t trying to find a wife. But what was the rush? He was only thirty four.“When?” She pressed him for an answer the tears mysteriously dried up, “You are not even dating anyone. You need my help to find a nice young woman. Let me help you. I will call Mrs. Amaya. She knows all the eligible young women…”“No Mamma,” Leo cut in. He needed to put a stop to her meddling before she contacted Mrs. Amaya. Leo shivered at the thought. “I mean, that’s not necessary. I am already seeing someone.”“You are?” He knew his mamma would pounce on that information, “Who? Is it someone we know? When did this happen and you didn’t tell your Mamma? Lorenzo this is wonderful, you have made your Mamma very happy. When will we get to meet her?”“We aaa, haven’t been dating long.” Two more police officers came out and got into their squad card.“But you know she is the one?” His mom was probably already planning the wedding dinner menu and decorating the church.“Um, yeah. She could be the one. So you don’t have to worry anymore Mamma.” He looked to the heavens and held his breath. Luckily he didn’t see or hear any lightning bolts.“I must meet her Lorenzo. Next Sunday, bring her to Sunday dinner with the family.”“Mom, we just started dating. I can’t do that to her. She will never see me again.”“Lorenzo,” His mother scolded, “you do what your mother tells you to do. No argument. Next Sunday. I will not invite the cousins. They have no manners. They act like they were raised in a barn I always tell your father this.” “Mamma, I’ve got to go. I love you.”“I love you too my son. Next Sunday.”Leo disconnected the call and tossed his phone into the seat beside him and hit his head over and over again on the steering wheel. What had he gotten himself into now? How was he going to produce a girlfriend that didn’t exist in two weeks?He stopped pounding his head against the wheel, he could ask his secretary Shannon to pretend to be his girlfriend. After all her husband Mitch wasn’t only his business partner he was also his best friend. If he had a wife he would let Mitch borrow her for Sunday dinner.Leo sat up straighter as the door of the police station opened. It was about time our boy Vargas came out. Leo blinked his eyes and looked again. It wasn’t Vargas.“Hello beautiful.” Leo said to himself as he watched the tall leggy vision leave the building, cross the street, and walk down the sidewalk, directly towards him. The closer she came the better the view. He couldn’t decide. Was her hair brown or blonde? Some pieces were a darker blonde or was it a light brown? And then some looked like the sun had streaked parts almost white. All the different shades mixed together made her hair come alive and glow in the darkness of the night as it bounced around her shoulders.Leo gave up all pretense of watching for Vargas. He only had eyes for the bombshell coming his way. Her black dress looked conservative at first glance, but the closer she came the less he cared about Vargas slipping past him. The short, tight, black, number showed off her bare shoulders, and arms to perfection. Her tanned legs looked even longer in those ridiculously high heels. But oh what he wouldn’t give to see her in those heels…only those heels. The handcuffs in his back pocket practically burned a hole through his pants begging to be used. He could see her now, handcuffed to his bed with those lethal heels and nothing but her creamy smooth skin in between. Leo kept his eyes on the lovely lady. She paused on the sidewalk. Her arms wrapped around her waist as she shifted from foot to foot looking up and down the road anxiously. He thought he saw her brush away a tear. Women’s tears were his downfall. Before he could stop and talk himself out of it, Leo slammed the car door and walked slowly towards her.Hearing someone approach Emma glanced towards the noise, and her beautiful blue eyes widened in fear. Leo slowed his approach, he didn’t usually have that effect on the ladies but then again he didn’t usually look like a biker gone bad either. His own Mamma wouldn’t recognize him right now.Emma’s heart stopped when she saw the huge rough man walking towards her. All of the news articles she had never heard or read about abductions raced through her mind. She glanced across the street hoping to catch the attention of an officer going in or out of the station. It seemed her luck was still holding out on her tonight. There wasn’t a soul in sight. She nervously shifted her eyes back to him. He was close enough now for her to see some of the intricate tattoo’s decorating his arms. There wasn’t an inch of un-inked skin showing. She couldn’t help but wonder how long it took to cover such a massive area. His biceps must measure a foot in circumference easily. His dark gray t-shirt was pulled tightly across his chest, and she could see more ink coming from under the collar and up onto his neck. He even had ink on his right cheekbone. She couldn’t quite make it out, a star maybe or a tear?Each time his shaggy brown hair whipped in the breeze, Emma caught a flash of gold hoop earrings. A menacing black skull cap was pulled down low on his forehead, and his intense brown eyes were fixed directly on her. She knew where the saying ‘deer in the headlights’ came from, because there was no way she could break the trance his eyes had her under. She was incapable of turning around and running back across the street to safety.“I’m sorry ma’am,” Leo said as he held his hands up, in what he hoped, was a non-threating gesture. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. You just looked like you needed help. Is everything alright?” Leo didn’t know how to assure her he meant her no harm. Looking the way he did, and as late as it was, he really couldn’t blame her for being suspicious. Her eyes kept darting from him to the police station and then back to him.“Back up mister, I know karate and I’m not afraid to take you down.” Emma forced her five foot four inch body, into at least, five foot eight and one quarter inches of pure female terror in heels. She planted her heels shoulder width apart like her karate instructor had taught her and balled her hands into tiny fists of fury. Her only thought…why didn’t she go back for lesson number two.Oh please, he would love to be horizontal with her Leo thought, as he tried to hide his smile at her weak attempt to intimidate him. She was a small thing and even the thought of her taking him down was ridiculous and…exciting. “It’s late. Someone like you shouldn’t be out this late in this area.”“Someone like me?” Emma repeated. Her chin went up and her entire posture changed from one of combat to one of irritation and outrage. Leo could almost see the hairs on the back of her neck stand up she was so irate. Once again he fought the smile that threatened. “Yes. Someone beautiful, like you.” “Are you flirting with me?” Emma didn’t understand it. She should be terrified of the monster man in front of her. But there was just something about…his eyes. That was it. She saw no threat or danger in his eyes. Leo gave her what he hoped was his best smile before answering, “Well if you have to ask I must not be doing it correctly. My name’s Leo.” He held out his hand to shake but all she did was stare at his hand. Emma had never seen a hand as big as the one in front of her. She worked with some huge guys, but the hand being held out to her was massive. He could probably crush her throat with very little effort. The span of his hand would probably reach all the way around her neck. She tilted her head to get a better look at his fingers. They were long and lithe with neatly trimmed nails, which didn’t really match the rest of him.She jumped when he cleared his throat. She felt her face heat and couldn’t believe how rudely she had been staring. Finally, she he reached out to shake his hand and marveled at how tiny her hand looked in contrast to his. When he enclosed her hand into the warmth and strength of his, his heat spread through her body, all the way to her most infrequently used girl parts.“Emmma.” She squeaked out, cleared her own throat and tried again. “I mean, my name is Emma.” She said as she smiled into the most amused and gorgeous brown eyes she had ever seen. They reminded her of the baby seals she had catalogued a few years back. Mesmerizing. They really shouldn’t make her shiver inside, at least not in a good way. “It’s nice to meet you Emma. Can I help you get somewhere?” Leo chanced taking a few steps closer. “No, I mean, I do need to get somewhere but I can find my own way.” Emma watched him warily. If she sprinted she could probably make it off the sidewalk before he caught her.“Are you sure? I would be happy to see you home safely.” Leo saw her hesitancy and once again he didn’t blame her. If any of his sisters or female cousins got into a car late at night with a strange man, especially one as rough looking as he was, they wouldn’t be able to sit for a week, because he would tan their hides.He took his phone out and handed it to her. “Here, do you need to call someone to come get you.”Emma looked at his cellphone. She had already called her friends from the police station. They were still out celebrating their catch. She had left messages on their phones. That only left…she grimaced at the thought, her parents. No way would she call them to rescue her from the police station.“No thank you, I don’t have anyone to call that I haven’t already left messages with.”“Can I call a taxi for you?”That would be nice, but she didn’t have her bag which meant she had no money to pay for the cab. If she ever saw Pawsy again, she just may feed him to a shark! No, she wouldn’t do that to a shark, Pawsy would probably give the shark indigestion. “No thank you, I’ll just wait here until my friends come.”Leo knew he was going to regret what he was about to do, but there was no way he could leave her, “Here, take my phone, and call anyone in the contact list. Ask them if it’s safe for me to take you home.” Emma glanced at his phone. She had one just like it, but in his hand it looked like a toy phone. What choice did she have? The guys probably wouldn’t check their phone till in the morning and she didn’t relish the idea of sitting outside for the remainder of the evening. Was she crazy to think about doing as he asked? She stretched her neck and looked up and down the road for a taxi but nobody was out at this time of the night.“Thank you,” she took his phone and pulled up the contact list. Scrolling through she found the one name she knew she could trust and swiped the arrow to place the call.Her blue eyes met curious brown ones as she waited for the phone to ring. “Hello.” A voice with a heavy accent said. If she hadn’t been watching Leo closely, she would have missed the tiny flicker of fear that entered his eyes and then just as quickly left. “Umm, yes ma’am my name is Emma Shelbrook and I’m calling for Leo.” She still couldn’t make out the ink on his cheekbone. “I can see that, you are calling from his phone. Oh, is this his fidanzata? Emma, ahh what a bellino name. His papa and I are so happy we will meet you on Sunday. We have waited so long for our Lorenzo to bring a ragazza speciale home to meet us. I must call his brothers and sisters, they will be so happy you are coming to our home.”“No, ma’am. I mean…” Emma had to hold the phone away from her ear as the one sided conversation continued at a higher octave. All Emma really knew was she was excited about something special and she sounded like a proud mother. So her son, whom she was looking at now, could be trusted to see her home safely. However, he was looking a little green around the edges at the moment.Emma shrugged and handed the phone back to Leo, his mother still talking a mile a minute. “Mamma,” Leo tried to interrupt again, he listened to his mother go on and on about Sunday. He swallowed and closed his eyes. How was he ever going to get out of it now? She thought she had actual proof his girlfriend existed. Now he not only had to find a girlfriend, but her name had to be Emma.Emma’s eyes sparkled in humor as she watched the big bad man get taken down by his Mamma. How cute was that? The fierce looking man in front of her called his mother, Mamma? If she had any reservations left, the last of them just dissolved.“Mamma, I must go now. I love you too. I will try Mamma.” Leo hung up the home and waited for Emma’s reaction. He didn’t have long to wait.“Lorenzo?” Emma asked looking up at him through her lashes. “Italian.” Leo shrugged with his hands, and offered in response.“Ahhh, that explains it. I had no idea what your mother was saying half the time.”“You’re invited for Sunday dinner.” Leo said in defeat.“Why would your mother invite me?” “Because, you’re my girlfriend.” He explained.“What?” Emma couldn’t have heard him correctly. “Listen, can I explain in the car. Let me take you home.” Leo held out his hand again.Emma hesitated only a moment. The ridiculously buff and rough looking man in front of her would see her home safely. Of that she had no doubt. How she knew that…she had no idea. She placed her hand in his once more and felt a hum move through her. “Okay, let’s go.”
Hey everyone!
Thank you so much for your wonderful suggestions for Chapter 2. I hope you will be pleased. I was able to integrate many of your suggestions.
PLEASE keep the comments coming. Chapter 3 needs some of your marvelous input. Should the obvious happen, or do you want it to go in a totally different direction. You will know what I mean after you read Chapter 2.
I'm also thinking that Emma needs a tattoo. What do you think? What and where should it placed?
Any other suggestions?
It was necessary to do a little bit of re-writes on Chapter 1. That's why it's included below.
As always, let me put a disclaimer in here.
1. I have no idea if this is going to work.
2. This will be raw and unedited. You will see all my ticks and flaws that drive my editors crazy!
3. See #2. This can't be stressed enough.
4. I reserve the right to re-write any previous parts if needed.
Copyright 2015All rights reservedThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, places, events and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, currently known or future inventions except as may be expressly permitted in writing from lizabeth@LizabethScottBooks.com
Leo waited in his car across from the police station. His mark, Vito Ramone Vargas had been picked up for questioning, and had called his number one to pick him up. Leo had been working for the past week trying to find out who Vito’s supplier was and how his drug shipments were getting in. It had been a while since Leo had been in the field and felt the rush of adrenalin when working undercover. He missed that part of it. The part he didn’t miss was being shot at, living in roach infested motels, and being away from his family for months at a time. That was why he had started his own business. Now days, he ran operations from the comfort of his desk, or war room. This job had come up suddenly and everyone else was already on another case. The money was good but that wasn’t why he accepted. Eliminating a major trafficking ring was all the incentive Leo had needed. Leo and his five hand-picked friends from his SEAL days were now partners in a top secret security business. They were called in by governments and major corporations all over the world to handle situations before they became situations. Their mode of operation was to come in under the radar and leave just as invisibly. Leo had finally gotten inside Vargas’ inner circle. Soon now he would be able to supply his people with the name they needed, and Vitto, and his cronies would be history. His eyes drifted to the front door as he reached into his duffle bag, and pulled out a bottle of water. The waiting…he didn’t miss at all. Leo scratched his earlobe. The earrings were driving him crazy. How did women wear them all the time? It had been years since he had worn an earring but he needed to look the part. His wardrobe department had gone a bit overboard dressing him.His phone vibrated, he smiled when he saw the name on the display. His mother had no idea of the time zone he was in. By her time she was just settling in to watch her favorite shows on television. “Hi Mamma.” His eyes kept watch on the two large glass doors for Vito.“Lorenzo, what is this I hear, you no come to the family dinner on Sunday? Why do you wanna make your Mamma cry? Your father just said, Lorenzo is working this weekend. Working! Since when does my boy work on the Sunday. Your father, he must be wrong. This is right, yes Lorenzo?”Leo smiled, his mom had lived in the United States for over forty years but she still had a thick Italian accent, “I’m sorry but yes, I’m working this weekend.” Leo scrunched down in his seat as two uniformed officers exited the building.“But why? I wanted you to meet Mrs. De Santos’ daughter. She is a lovely girl I know you will be so happy to meet her. She would make a good wife Lorenzo and her hips they are wide, she will have many babies. This I know.”Leo scrubbed his hand down his scruffy face before answering, “I’m sorry Mamma, but I will be working.” He knew what that statement would mean to his mother, it would be like waving a red flag in front of an angry bull, but he would be lucky to wrap the assignment up within two weeks. “What will I tell Mrs. De Santos? I have already told her you will be here to meet her daughter. They have made plans already.” Leo frowned, his mother switched to Italian which was never a good sign. “I don’t need help finding a wife, Mamma.” His mother had been trying for years to set him up with any and every marriageable age women in town.“This I do not believe. You never bring anyone home. I worry Lorenzo. I worry that you will die and never know the happiness that your father and I have had, sharing our lives with each other and with our children. That is what I want for you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, his mother had turned on the tear works as well.“I know Mamma, and I want that too. But, I have to do this my way.” He said softer, hoping she would understand and back off. It wasn’t like he wasn’t trying to find a wife. Okay, so it was like he wasn’t trying to find a wife. But what was the rush? He was only thirty four.“When?” She pressed him for an answer the tears mysteriously dried up, “You are not even dating anyone. You need my help to find a nice young woman. Let me help you. I will call Mrs. Amaya. She knows all the eligible young women…”“No Mamma,” Leo cut in. He needed to put a stop to her meddling before she contacted Mrs. Amaya. Leo shivered at the thought. “I mean, that’s not necessary. I am already seeing someone.”“You are?” He knew his mamma would pounce on that information, “Who? Is it someone we know? When did this happen and you didn’t tell your Mamma? Lorenzo this is wonderful, you have made your Mamma very happy. When will we get to meet her?”“We aaa, haven’t been dating long.” Two more police officers came out and got into their squad card.“But you know she is the one?” His mom was probably already planning the wedding dinner menu and decorating the church.“Um, yeah. She could be the one. So you don’t have to worry anymore Mamma.” He looked to the heavens and held his breath. Luckily he didn’t see or hear any lightning bolts.“I must meet her Lorenzo. Next Sunday, bring her to Sunday dinner with the family.”“Mom, we just started dating. I can’t do that to her. She will never see me again.”“Lorenzo,” His mother scolded, “you do what your mother tells you to do. No argument. Next Sunday. I will not invite the cousins. They have no manners. They act like they were raised in a barn I always tell your father this.” “Mamma, I’ve got to go. I love you.”“I love you too my son. Next Sunday.”Leo disconnected the call and tossed his phone into the seat beside him and hit his head over and over again on the steering wheel. What had he gotten himself into now? How was he going to produce a girlfriend that didn’t exist in two weeks?He stopped pounding his head against the wheel, he could ask his secretary Shannon to pretend to be his girlfriend. After all her husband Mitch wasn’t only his business partner he was also his best friend. If he had a wife he would let Mitch borrow her for Sunday dinner.Leo sat up straighter as the door of the police station opened. It was about time our boy Vargas came out. Leo blinked his eyes and looked again. It wasn’t Vargas.“Hello beautiful.” Leo said to himself as he watched the tall leggy vision leave the building, cross the street, and walk down the sidewalk, directly towards him. The closer she came the better the view. He couldn’t decide. Was her hair brown or blonde? Some pieces were a darker blonde or was it a light brown? And then some looked like the sun had streaked parts almost white. All the different shades mixed together made her hair come alive and glow in the darkness of the night as it bounced around her shoulders.Leo gave up all pretense of watching for Vargas. He only had eyes for the bombshell coming his way. Her black dress looked conservative at first glance, but the closer she came the less he cared about Vargas slipping past him. The short, tight, black, number showed off her bare shoulders, and arms to perfection. Her tanned legs looked even longer in those ridiculously high heels. But oh what he wouldn’t give to see her in those heels…only those heels. The handcuffs in his back pocket practically burned a hole through his pants begging to be used. He could see her now, handcuffed to his bed with those lethal heels and nothing but her creamy smooth skin in between. Leo kept his eyes on the lovely lady. She paused on the sidewalk. Her arms wrapped around her waist as she shifted from foot to foot looking up and down the road anxiously. He thought he saw her brush away a tear. Women’s tears were his downfall. Before he could stop and talk himself out of it, Leo slammed the car door and walked slowly towards her.Hearing someone approach Emma glanced towards the noise, and her beautiful blue eyes widened in fear. Leo slowed his approach, he didn’t usually have that effect on the ladies but then again he didn’t usually look like a biker gone bad either. His own Mamma wouldn’t recognize him right now.Emma’s heart stopped when she saw the huge rough man walking towards her. All of the news articles she had never heard or read about abductions raced through her mind. She glanced across the street hoping to catch the attention of an officer going in or out of the station. It seemed her luck was still holding out on her tonight. There wasn’t a soul in sight. She nervously shifted her eyes back to him. He was close enough now for her to see some of the intricate tattoo’s decorating his arms. There wasn’t an inch of un-inked skin showing. She couldn’t help but wonder how long it took to cover such a massive area. His biceps must measure a foot in circumference easily. His dark gray t-shirt was pulled tightly across his chest, and she could see more ink coming from under the collar and up onto his neck. He even had ink on his right cheekbone. She couldn’t quite make it out, a star maybe or a tear?Each time his shaggy brown hair whipped in the breeze, Emma caught a flash of gold hoop earrings. A menacing black skull cap was pulled down low on his forehead, and his intense brown eyes were fixed directly on her. She knew where the saying ‘deer in the headlights’ came from, because there was no way she could break the trance his eyes had her under. She was incapable of turning around and running back across the street to safety.“I’m sorry ma’am,” Leo said as he held his hands up, in what he hoped, was a non-threating gesture. “I didn’t mean to frighten you. You just looked like you needed help. Is everything alright?” Leo didn’t know how to assure her he meant her no harm. Looking the way he did, and as late as it was, he really couldn’t blame her for being suspicious. Her eyes kept darting from him to the police station and then back to him.“Back up mister, I know karate and I’m not afraid to take you down.” Emma forced her five foot four inch body, into at least, five foot eight and one quarter inches of pure female terror in heels. She planted her heels shoulder width apart like her karate instructor had taught her and balled her hands into tiny fists of fury. Her only thought…why didn’t she go back for lesson number two.Oh please, he would love to be horizontal with her Leo thought, as he tried to hide his smile at her weak attempt to intimidate him. She was a small thing and even the thought of her taking him down was ridiculous and…exciting. “It’s late. Someone like you shouldn’t be out this late in this area.”“Someone like me?” Emma repeated. Her chin went up and her entire posture changed from one of combat to one of irritation and outrage. Leo could almost see the hairs on the back of her neck stand up she was so irate. Once again he fought the smile that threatened. “Yes. Someone beautiful, like you.” “Are you flirting with me?” Emma didn’t understand it. She should be terrified of the monster man in front of her. But there was just something about…his eyes. That was it. She saw no threat or danger in his eyes. Leo gave her what he hoped was his best smile before answering, “Well if you have to ask I must not be doing it correctly. My name’s Leo.” He held out his hand to shake but all she did was stare at his hand. Emma had never seen a hand as big as the one in front of her. She worked with some huge guys, but the hand being held out to her was massive. He could probably crush her throat with very little effort. The span of his hand would probably reach all the way around her neck. She tilted her head to get a better look at his fingers. They were long and lithe with neatly trimmed nails, which didn’t really match the rest of him.She jumped when he cleared his throat. She felt her face heat and couldn’t believe how rudely she had been staring. Finally, she he reached out to shake his hand and marveled at how tiny her hand looked in contrast to his. When he enclosed her hand into the warmth and strength of his, his heat spread through her body, all the way to her most infrequently used girl parts.“Emmma.” She squeaked out, cleared her own throat and tried again. “I mean, my name is Emma.” She said as she smiled into the most amused and gorgeous brown eyes she had ever seen. They reminded her of the baby seals she had catalogued a few years back. Mesmerizing. They really shouldn’t make her shiver inside, at least not in a good way. “It’s nice to meet you Emma. Can I help you get somewhere?” Leo chanced taking a few steps closer. “No, I mean, I do need to get somewhere but I can find my own way.” Emma watched him warily. If she sprinted she could probably make it off the sidewalk before he caught her.“Are you sure? I would be happy to see you home safely.” Leo saw her hesitancy and once again he didn’t blame her. If any of his sisters or female cousins got into a car late at night with a strange man, especially one as rough looking as he was, they wouldn’t be able to sit for a week, because he would tan their hides.He took his phone out and handed it to her. “Here, do you need to call someone to come get you.”Emma looked at his cellphone. She had already called her friends from the police station. They were still out celebrating their catch. She had left messages on their phones. That only left…she grimaced at the thought, her parents. No way would she call them to rescue her from the police station.“No thank you, I don’t have anyone to call that I haven’t already left messages with.”“Can I call a taxi for you?”That would be nice, but she didn’t have her bag which meant she had no money to pay for the cab. If she ever saw Pawsy again, she just may feed him to a shark! No, she wouldn’t do that to a shark, Pawsy would probably give the shark indigestion. “No thank you, I’ll just wait here until my friends come.”Leo knew he was going to regret what he was about to do, but there was no way he could leave her, “Here, take my phone, and call anyone in the contact list. Ask them if it’s safe for me to take you home.” Emma glanced at his phone. She had one just like it, but in his hand it looked like a toy phone. What choice did she have? The guys probably wouldn’t check their phone till in the morning and she didn’t relish the idea of sitting outside for the remainder of the evening. Was she crazy to think about doing as he asked? She stretched her neck and looked up and down the road for a taxi but nobody was out at this time of the night.“Thank you,” she took his phone and pulled up the contact list. Scrolling through she found the one name she knew she could trust and swiped the arrow to place the call.Her blue eyes met curious brown ones as she waited for the phone to ring. “Hello.” A voice with a heavy accent said. If she hadn’t been watching Leo closely, she would have missed the tiny flicker of fear that entered his eyes and then just as quickly left. “Umm, yes ma’am my name is Emma Shelbrook and I’m calling for Leo.” She still couldn’t make out the ink on his cheekbone. “I can see that, you are calling from his phone. Oh, is this his fidanzata? Emma, ahh what a bellino name. His papa and I are so happy we will meet you on Sunday. We have waited so long for our Lorenzo to bring a ragazza speciale home to meet us. I must call his brothers and sisters, they will be so happy you are coming to our home.”“No, ma’am. I mean…” Emma had to hold the phone away from her ear as the one sided conversation continued at a higher octave. All Emma really knew was she was excited about something special and she sounded like a proud mother. So her son, whom she was looking at now, could be trusted to see her home safely. However, he was looking a little green around the edges at the moment.Emma shrugged and handed the phone back to Leo, his mother still talking a mile a minute. “Mamma,” Leo tried to interrupt again, he listened to his mother go on and on about Sunday. He swallowed and closed his eyes. How was he ever going to get out of it now? She thought she had actual proof his girlfriend existed. Now he not only had to find a girlfriend, but her name had to be Emma.Emma’s eyes sparkled in humor as she watched the big bad man get taken down by his Mamma. How cute was that? The fierce looking man in front of her called his mother, Mamma? If she had any reservations left, the last of them just dissolved.“Mamma, I must go now. I love you too. I will try Mamma.” Leo hung up the home and waited for Emma’s reaction. He didn’t have long to wait.“Lorenzo?” Emma asked looking up at him through her lashes. “Italian.” Leo shrugged with his hands, and offered in response.“Ahhh, that explains it. I had no idea what your mother was saying half the time.”“You’re invited for Sunday dinner.” Leo said in defeat.“Why would your mother invite me?” “Because, you’re my girlfriend.” He explained.“What?” Emma couldn’t have heard him correctly. “Listen, can I explain in the car. Let me take you home.” Leo held out his hand again.Emma hesitated only a moment. The ridiculously buff and rough looking man in front of her would see her home safely. Of that she had no doubt. How she knew that…she had no idea. She placed her hand in his once more and felt a hum move through her. “Okay, let’s go.”
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