Burned by Rejection (Book 4 of Wolves of Milano )

8.Escort service

What did he get himself into? Why can’t he say no to her? She likes him, deep down she does. He could scent her arousal. He could see her covert glances, and by the end of their conversation, she didn’t even hide it any more. Granted, she is a mess, but so is he. She just told him that she didn’t want a boyfriend or a husband. She doesn’t want a man at all. Can he let her go, if he takes this “job” she offered? She does things to him that no woman has managed before. 

‘You can’t say no! We need her.” His wolf growls.

‘Need her? What are you talking about? We don’t need anyone.’ Elio scoffs. He is used to being alone. He had given up on a mate the moment he learned that he'd never shift again. The plastic and metal parts of his left leg don’t shift with him. If he wants to keep his leg and walk normally as a human, the wolf can never again see the world or smell the grass. He can never again run on four paws…

‘Don’t dwell on it. I don’t resent your choice.’ The wolf tells him. He can feel the brush of fur against his skin. It comforts him to know that his wolf is still there. 

‘So you think I should help her?’ He asks the animal within.

‘Yes. I like her. There is something different about her.’ The wolf answers. The matter is decided for the wolf and he retreats back to the den he imagined for himself.

Elio shakes his head and wishes that everything would be so simple. He would love to live in the world his wolf sees, but his human side knows that things can go very differently in real life. He has to deal with things his wolf finds obsolete. He will give Allegra two days of his time and do what she wants. In the meantime, he has to find out who it is that Vito arranged for her. And he has to sabotage that plan without Vito finding out. A career-driven woman like her doesn’t need some backwater i***t for a mate. That would only hinder her. Vito knows that very well. He made it his business to know everything about his pack members. Does he do this out of pure malice?

He left the back alley some time ago. He is just riding around the streets and thinking. Going home now would be a waste of time. He would have enough time to hobble up the stairs and then turn around to go back to her. He did promise to drive her home tonight. He will keep that promise and listen to whatever she has to say. It doesn’t sit right with him that she basically rented him as an escort service. If he doesn’t take her money, he can at least pretend that they are dating. Pretending is what she wants, she doesn’t need to know what he thinks about it. She wants a pretend boyfriend. Nothing can stop him from pretending it’s for real.

Elio drives slowly back to the shop. It’s close to closing time and he doesn’t want to let her wait too long. Besides, he needs to see who her guard is. Will the guy create problems, or will he play right into her plan and run back to Vito with a report about them? The small city car parked out front belongs to Theodore. That wolf is annoying as hell. Elio doesn’t like him one bit, not since the new guy questioned his authority in front of other enforcers. It was before the fight with Alessio, so it was an easy fix for him. He dished out a nice beating to assert his dominance over the enforcers. He demands respect from them. Elio might seem young to them, but he has seen more in the ten years of army service than most of them will in their entire lives.

He can see Allegra at the door of the shop. She locks up and the quiet beep of the alarm reaches his ears. She looks around the street and starts walking towards his bike. There is a smile plastered on her face and she walks with confidence. She is aware of her looks and she is using that to her full advantage. The long tunic she’s wearing has slits up her legs to emphasise her legs. He can see that she has leather pants underneath and her feet are encased in gorgeous boots. He can focus on her now that they are not talking. She is still a couple of metres away from him when the car door opens and an angry shout sounds in the evening quiet:

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“On a date with my boyfriend.” Allegra answers casually. “I’d advise you not to piss him off, but do what you want. It’s your hide.”

“You can’t go!” Theodore shouts.

“Watch me.” Allegra chuckles. She reaches Elio now and she swings her leg over his bike in a graceful movement.

“Elio?” Theodore sputters in shock. The guy is as stupid as he looks. He didn’t even notice Elio parked his bike two cars down from his own. And he wants to be something?

“Bye, Theo.” Elio laughs before he starts his bike and drives off. He couldn’t care less for the incompetent fool. And he is certain the guy will go report this at once. Maybe not directly to Vito, but Allegra’s parents will hear about it. 

“Let’s get a drink before I drive you home.” Elio says softly. He knows she can hear him over the roar of the bike. 

“Sure. We need to talk.” She answers. He is happy that the position on the passenger seat of his Honda forces her to hold on to him. He wishes she would hide her hands under his jacket, but wolves don’t get cold so easily. He will have to take what he can from this. Somehow, he has the feeling that she will dish out more rules. Why else would she put it that way? You can get a drink with a friend after work, she just has to tack on that dreaded we need to talk line.

He parks the bike in front of a small family pizzeria. He discovered this place by accident one day. He likes the privacy of their back garden. He knows that they can talk there with no interruptions. 

“Hey, Elio. The usual?” Giovanni greets him.

“Please.” He nods. “Allegra? What do you want?”

“A beer, please.” She smiles at Giovanni and the guy nods back at her. Elio knows he doesn’t have a right to be jealous, but his wolf twitches in anger because she smiles at another man.

His usual corner table is free and he’s glad about it. He picked up the habit of sitting with his back to a wall. Nobody can sneak up on him this way. He has the overlook and can see who is coming and going from the garden. Army habits die hard. She doesn’t seem to mind where she sits as long as her backpack has a chair of its own. The thing looks expensive to him, but what does he know about this stuff? He’s got a brother and a few cousins back home. None of them care about fashion.

“What else did you think of that we have to talk about?” Elio asks her after Giovanni leaves them alone.

“The rules. This is strictly business. I don’t want any physical contact if it’s not necessary. So, no touching me when we’re alone.” Allegra lays down her first rule. He saw it coming, but he didn’t need to like it. 

“I guess that’s reasonable.” He sighs. “I’m sure you know that Theo is reporting this to your mother or father. And it will come to Vito eventually.”

“I know. Can we make it believable in front of my mother?” She inquires of him.

“I think we can. There is a chemistry between us. My wolf really likes you.” Elio tells her. He will keep the rest for himself. She doesn’t want to hear it anyway. Her wolf will tell her, unless the animal is against relationships as well. In that case, he’s screwed. 

“Good. There is a garden party my mother throws for the pack on the solstice. We have to convince them that we’re together and make my parents break off this arrangement with my Uncle. I‘m not going to marry some random guy I’ve never seen before.” She tells him. 

“Fine. I will play this role for you.” Elio smiles at her. He likes her free spirit, he likes the way she thinks, and he adores her stubbornness. She would be a perfect mate for him, if she could only see it. But then again, there is that small detail he can’t tell her. She would drop him in a heartbeat if she knew that he couldn’t shift anymore.

“Do you agree to the p*****t? I can try and get more, but it might take some time.” Allegra asks him.

“You don’t have to pay me. I promised Alessio that I would look out for you.” He smiles at her. Maybe he should call the guy later and let him know about this mess?

“Why not? I don’t plan to sleep with you to pay you.” She says harshly. Who does she think he is? He is not planning to extort her for s*x. He never needed that in his life: “Excuse me?”

“I’m sorry. I’m nervous.” Allegra looks at him.

“I understand. It’s a lot to take in. And with everything else going on, I can see your point.” Elio smiles at her. He hopes it’s not that that makes her nervous. “I’m not taking your money. I’ll try and help you out of this, because it’s just wrong.”

“Can my parents recognise you by your bike alone?” She asks him later. 

“Sure. Your father was complaining about it.” Elio answers. He wonders what she is thinking about. “Tell me the plan. You have to include me to make it work.”

“Will you drive me home? Right up to the front door?” She smiles. She is nervous, she keeps biting her lip and he is getting turned on by that action.

“Oh! You want your parents to see us together. You’re setting them up.” He chuckles. “I like it. Too bad I only have a Honda. A Harley would make more noise.”

“I don’t care about the noise. Dad is probably plastered to the window, waiting for me to come home.” She laughs as well. He got her to smile, he cheered her up. He loves looking at her when she’s happy. 

“All right, then. Let’s put up a good show for him.” Elio winks at her. He knows she is affected by him just as much as he is by her. His plan is to win her over for real. He just needs to make her see how very different he really is from the men in her pack. 

‘Not so much. All her cousins are normal. Her brother, too.’ His wolf inserts a thought.

‘But she doesn’t see it. She’s not looking at her cousins the same way. Don’t you want her for our mate?’ Elio asks back.

‘I do. I know we said we didn’t need a mate, but I want her.’ His wolf answers. He knows there is something more. He can feel it.

“Talking to your wolf?” Allegra nudges him.

“Yeah. He’s on board with your plan.” He nods. “What gave me away? None of my army pals ever figured it out.”

“You were in the army?” She gapes at him.

“Yes. Don’t deflect. Please tell me. I really want to know.” Elio is curious what gave him away. Is she really perceptive, or do they have something else in common?

“That gaze in your eyes. You focus on a spot in front of you. Was it my fingers on the table?” She chuckles. “Because you look around when you think of an answer.”

“You are perceptive. It’s a good trait to have.” He nods to her. “I can tell you more about myself at some other time. We better get you home if you want any sleep tonight.”

“That would be great.” Allegra nods back. “Could you pick me up for school tomorrow morning? Is eight too early for you?”

“It’s fine. I don’t sleep in. I was cured of that habit in the early days of service. Now I have been out of the army for half a year and I still get up at sunrise.” Elio answers her. He gets their bill and drives her home. Thinking about the show they have to create, he almost misses the right house. Points for dramatic turning in the road. It’s good to get the attention they want. He pulls right up to the door and helps her off the bike. 

The kiss on his cheek was not expected at all, but he welcomes it gladly. From the inside of the house, it must look like a real kiss. Her hair is in the way of prying eyes. He wishes she would kiss him for real, but that is a long way away. He has to get her trust first. Then he can work on making her his mate. Is this a punishment or a reward? Only time will tell. The amount of work he needs to put in will be enormous, but she is worth it.