He tapped on Stella’s contact information and brought the phone to his ear.

“It’s about time,” she answered after the first ring, not even bothering to say hello. “What about my hairy details?”

“I know, I know.” It had been less than a week since his good friend Stella had given him the final encouragement he’d needed to agree to Eva’s unconventional arrangement, but it seemed like a lifetime ago. He vaguely recalled telling her that he would keep her posted on the outcome, but things had changed. Suddenly it felt wrong to talk about sleeping with Eva Fiorini.

“But I can’t really get into details right now.” Or ever, he added silently. “I need to ask you a favor.”

A pause. “Okay. You all right, Jack?”

A few inquisitive neighbors in pajamas were peeking their heads out of nearby apartments. Jack strode past them, stopping at the end of the hall at the elevator bank, where there was a picture window overlooking the city. He took a deep breath and leaned his forehead against the cool glass. “Remember when you were having trouble with those vandals targeting your food trucks a couple of years back? You had to hire private security, right?”

“Right…” she began cautiously, as if wary where this was leading. “What about it?”

“What was the name of the outfit you used? You were pleased with them?”

“Max Coby and Associates? Oh, yes, they were great. Former NYPD. They caught the vandals, and we’ve never had any trouble since then.”

Jack made a mental note of the name. “Great. Thanks. I’ll call you later.”

“Jack, wait,” she said before he could end the call. “What gives?”

He pulled away from the window and spied his reflection in the glass. No wonder Valentine had told him to move along at first glance. With his five o’clock shadow and wrinkled shirt, he looked like he’d just woken up on the street. “Nothing. I’ll explain later.”

“It sure sounds like something,” Stella pressed. “I didn’t hear from you all week. I figured you were having the time of your life educating Eva, and were too busy to come up for air. Now you’re asking about private investigators? Is everything okay?”

He exhaled. “I’m sure it is, but I don’t know… I feel like someone needs to keep an eye on Eva.”

“Keep an eye on Eva,” she repeated. “Are you going to tell me why?”

“Someone tried to break into her apartment tonight. And I don’t know…call it intuition, but after what happened to Antonio and Pietro, I don’t feel right leaving her unprotected.”

“Those were accidents, Jack,” Stella said. “Terrible, tragic accidents.”

He gritted his teeth. “I know. But that doesn’t change the way I feel about this.”

“You sound like Antonio. He was so paranoid about everything.”

“Yeah, well.” Jack sighed. “Maybe I need to be paranoid right now. I promised Antonio I would look out for Eva, and so far I’ve been doing a shit job of it.”

“Stop it, Jack,” Stella said gently. “You’re too hard on yourself. Nobody can prepare enough to prevent random acts of criminal behavior. And you and I always thought Antonio was a little off his rocker when it came to protecting his family. Why are you suddenly changing your mind?”

“I don’t know.” Jack shifted, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the hallway was still deserted. “I guess I’ve got an ugly feeling that maybe their bad luck wasn’t luck, after all.”

Stella huffed in disbelief, as he’d suspected she would. “That’s crazy, Jack.”

“Maybe not,” he snapped. “Antonio’s dead, isn’t he?”

“Yeah. He is.” Stella’s voice was soft, wounded. “Okay. I get it You should do what you feel is right. Call Coby. Do what you need to do. Don’t let me interfere.”

“You’re not interfering.” He checked his Rolex with a heavy sigh. Shit, it was after one a.m. “I’m sorry, Stella. I’m just tired.”

“It’s fine.” A long pause followed. “But I can’t believe you really think Antonio’s death might not have been an accident. That would change everything, Jack. Everything we thought was true.”

She was right. Just considering that possibility felt like crossing over into the realm of doomsday preppers and other conspiracy theorists. He had always laughed at Antonio for being so over-the-top careful.

He lowered his voice. “It would. And I’m not saying I’m sure that hit and run was anything but an accident. But Eva talked about having a feeling lately that she’s being watched, and she’s really rattled right now. I would rather be safe than sorry. That’s all.”

“So, you’re playing the big brother now?”

“I’m only doing what Antonio would want me to do,” he said defensively.

“So you declined her proposition, then?” Stella asked. “Decided to stay above it all? Keep the wondercock in your pants?”

“I didn’t say that.” He rubbed his eyes. He could hear Eva’s voice murmuring from inside the apartment, still talking with Valentine, but he wasn’t in the mood for more of the third degree. “Listen, I’ve got to go. But thanks for the information.”

“Anytime, Mr. Wonderful,” she teased, before adding in a more serious tone, “And be careful, okay? On the off chance that you’re not crazy.”

“I will.” He ended the call and returned to the apartment, where Eva was just finishing up with Officer Baby Face the Incompetent.

Valentine stood as Jack walked in. “We’ll keep you up to date with any developments. Don’t worry. Just turn that alarm back on, and let us handle everything.”

Eva smiled gratefully, looking relieved as she escorted him to the door. “Thank you so much, officer. I appreciate your help.”

Jack lurked behind her with his hands shoved deep in his pockets, unable to express the same confidence. Let them handle everything? Like hell.

Once he and Eva were alone in the apartment, she turned to him with a weary, half smile. “You can head out if you need to. I’m going to make some coffee and settle in with a book on the couch. It doesn’t matter how tired I am. I know I’m not going to be able to sleep tonight.”

“Like hell you’re settling in,” Jack said, bristling at the thought. “You’re not staying here. Pack a bag. Whatever you need for the next few days.”

She blinked, clearly surprised. “What?”

“I have the room at the Plaza. We’ll go back there tonight.”

“Oh, right. The Plaza.” She looked around her apartment as if seeing it for the first time. “But what about tomorrow night? Or the night after that? I’m not Eloise, Jack. They don’t have the penthouse reserved for me.”

“Tomorrow you’ll stay with me.”

He had never cohabitated with a woman before. That was the fast track to getting serious, something he’d never aspired to do. He was surprised at how easily the invitation had slipped out, and even more surprised that he didn’t feel the need to kick himself afterward. It would feel right to have Eva with him. Not only right, but imperative. He couldn’t imagine letting her out of his sight again until the bastard who’d broken into her apartment was caught. Didn’t matter that he had a million things going on at work, including someone gunning for his job. Eva was a priority.

She stared at him, looking similarly shocked, before a slow, uneasy smile appeared on her face. “Yeah. Right. Sure. So you want to play house with me now? Give me a break, Jack.”

She slapped his chest lightly, but he reached for her wrist and grabbed it tight, pulling her flush against him. The heat of her body and the softness of her breasts flattening against his chest ignited the desire that had been simmering beneath the surface since he’d slipped from between the sheets they’d set on fire.

He dipped his head and claimed her mouth like she belonged to him. He crushed his lips onto hers, consuming her. She responded in kind, feeding off of him until they were both breathing fast and her heart was pounding so hard he could feel it echoing in his chest.

“You’re staying with me,” he murmured into her skin, eliciting a small groan from low in her throat. “I need to know you’re safe. Besides, I’ve got a full lesson plan to cover, and only a few weeks to do so. It will be best if we spend our nights together.”

“Oh,” she murmured simply, her brows knitting in worry.

Something was troubling her. He’d shocked her, maybe, as much as he’d shocked himself. His invitation reeked of commitment and relationships and other words that weren’t in Jack’s vocabulary. He had never invited a woman to stay with him, though plenty had tried to invite themselves.

He had never imagined that Eva might not be willing to spend her nights with him.

But he should have. This was Eva, a woman unlike any other.

What would he do if she didn’t accept? Old family friend status didn’t give him permission to throw her over his shoulder and carry her back to his cave against her will. But the longer the uneasy silence stretched between them, the more convinced he became that he might resort to such tactics. That, or sleeping on her couch, because he sure as hell wasn’t leaving her here alone.

“Until you’ve completed your training,” Jack added in a commanding tone, “I need you under my authority at all times.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Oh. So, the dog thing, again?” she challenged.

“No,” he said, that sense of welcome irritation that only Eva could give him settling in. “Like a student.”

“I’m not an idiot, Jack,” she snapped, rolling her eyes. Then she sighed, her exhaustion showing. “Fine. Whatever you say, teacher. I’m too tired to argue right now.”

He shook his head at her, suppressing the amused smile that teased at his lips, despite the frustration building inside of him.

God, any other woman, he would’ve given up on her by now. But as he followed Eva to her bedroom to help her pack, he realized that very little would make him give up on Eva Fiorini.