Sexting the Don: Chapter 26
She’s beautiful, glowing in a way that I can’t wrap my mind around.
There’s a radiance to her, a softness in her features that I’ve never seen before. But there’s also a fierceness like she’s guarding something deep inside. I push the thought away. I’ve already overstepped by breaking into her apartment; I don’t need to demand her secrets on top of that.
I savor the sight of her nude body curled up in front of me, every curve and line illuminated by the soft glow of the bedside lamp. Her skin is smooth and flushed from our lovemaking, a rosy hue that spreads across her cheeks and down her neck.
Her breasts rise and fall with her steady breaths, and I can’t help but admire the way they fit perfectly in my hands, the way they respond to my touch.
My eyes trace down to her hips, full and inviting, leading to her long, toned legs that are curled up beneath her.
“Enzo,” she says softly, drawing my attention back to her face. Her eyes are wary and guarded, and I know she’s not ready to fully let me in. Not yet.
“Mandy,” I begin, choosing my words carefully. “I want you to come back. You and your mom. Come back to the house with me. It’s safer there. I’ll pay to break the lease here; I don’t care.”
She shakes her head, a determined set to her jaw. “I’m not ready for that. I need some space, some time to figure things out.”
I can see the resolve in her eyes, and I know pushing her will only make things worse.
“All right,” I concede. “But I insist on sending the car for you and your mother. It’ll be here tomorrow. I don’t want you driving around unprotected.”
She sighs. “We don’t need a car. We’ve got public transportation, and both of our jobs are close to the apartment.”
I lean forward, cupping her face in my hands. “Let me do this. It’s one small thing I can do to help keep you safe.”
She looks into my eyes as if sensing she’s going to have to surrender something. After a long moment, she nods reluctantly.
“Fine. But just the car. Nothing else.”
I take a deep breath, looking at her.
“Why did you leave so abruptly?” I ask.
She shifts uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. “I just needed some independence,” she says, her tone evasive. “I didn’t want to be a burden to you.”
I narrow my eyes slightly, sensing there’s more to her story. “You know you’re never a burden to me.”
She sighs, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of the sheet. “It’s just … I needed to do this for myself. To prove that I can take care of things on my own.”
Her words are vague, and I can tell something more is going on.
“I get that. But if something’s going on, you can tell me. You don’t have to do this alone.”
She forces a smile, her eyes betraying the worry she’s holding back. “I appreciate that. Really, I do. But I need to handle this my way.”
“This place isn’t safe,” I say, a hint of frustration creeping into my voice. “It was easy as hell for me to track you down, to get in here.”
“You’re a little different than most men, Enzo,” she replies. “Sometimes it seems like you’ve got this whole city under your watch.”
“True,” I admit. “But if I can find you, so can others; it’s just a matter of time and persistence. Does Jimmy know where you are?”
She shakes her head, her expression growing serious. “No, as far as I know, he doesn’t. And there’s not a goddamn chance in hell I’m going to let him find out.”
A text buzzes her phone in the other room, and she gets up to answer it. My eyes are drawn to her as she walks away, the sway of her hips mesmerizing. Her ass is a perfect, tantalizing curve, and I find myself captivated by the sight.
She picks up her phone, her brow furrowing as she reads the message. I don’t know who it’s from, but the tension in her shoulders tells me it’s important. She types a quick reply and then turns back to me, her expression guarded once more.
“Everything okay?” I ask.
“It’s a text from my mom,” she says. “She’s on her way back.”
I nod, understanding this is my cue to leave. “Got it.”
Mandy looks at me, her eyes softening. “It’s not like she’d be upset to see you. She already loves you.”
I give her a small smile. “Yeah, but still. I get it.”
We start to dress, and I can’t help but watch her out of the corner of my eye. There’s something about the way she dresses that’s almost as sexy as watching her undress. She picks up her black gym shorts, sliding them up her long, toned legs. The fabric clings to her skin, highlighting the curve of her hips and the firmness of her thighs. She pulls them into place, the waistband snapping against her flat stomach.
She turns to me, catching my eye and giving me a small, knowing smile. There’s a playful glint there despite the tension that still hangs between us.
“Ready?” she asks, her voice somber.
“Yeah,” I reply, quickly pulling on my own clothes.
At the door, she hesitates, her hand resting on the doorknob. Our farewell is strained, the air thick with everything we’re not saying. I take a deep breath, trying to stay cool and calm.
“Stay safe. Call me if you need anything, OK?”
She nods, her eyes flicking up to meet mine. “I will. I promise.”
We stand there for a moment, neither of us moving. The urge to kiss her goodbye is strong, but I hold back. There’s too much still unsaid, too much uncertainty. Instead, I reach out and give her hand a gentle squeeze.
“Take care,” I say softly, letting go and stepping back.
“You too,” she replies, her voice barely above a whisper.
With one last look, I turn and walk away, the door closing softly behind me.
There’s an unease gnawing at the back of my mind, a sense that something is off. As I walk to my car, my instincts are on high alert. I catch a glimpse of a familiar figure turning the corner, briefly illuminated by a streetlight, his features hidden in the shadows.
I stop in my tracks, my heart rate spiking. Rather than climb into my car, I decide to follow, my pace quickening. There’s a nagging suspicion tapping at me that I can’t shake. I reach the corner and see the man a block away, his back to me. His gait is familiar, too familiar.
I don’t rush after him. Instead, I maintain a steady pace, keeping my distance but not losing sight of him. The street is quiet, the occasional car passing by the only sound breaking the silence. The man walks with purpose, not looking back, but something about his movements tells me he’s aware he’s being followed.
We move through the neighborhood, the buildings casting long shadows that play tricks on my eyes. I focus on the man’s silhouette, my mind racing to remember where I’ve seen that gait before. He turns another corner, and I quicken my pace, not wanting to lose him.
As I round the corner, I spot him farther down the block. He’s moving faster now, and so am I. There’s an urgency in the way he walks, as if he’s trying to get away without drawing too much attention. I’m determined to find out who he is and what he’s doing here.
My thoughts are a whirlwind. Could it be Jimmy? Or is it someone working for him? The possibility sends a chill down my spine. I can’t afford to take any chances when it comes to Mandy’s safety. She might think she’s independent and doesn’t need my protection, but I know better. The world we’re tangled in is dangerous, and I need to be sure she’s not in danger.
The man takes another turn, heading into a dimly lit alley. I pause for a moment, considering my options. If it’s a trap, walking into that alley could be risky. But I can’t let him slip away, not when I’m this close. I decide to follow, my steps careful and silent.
I enter the alley, the darkness closing in around me. The man is at the far end, approaching an exit onto another street. I’m closer now, close enough to make out more details. His build, the way he moves, it all seems so familiar. I slow my pace, watching his every move.
I pull out my phone, a sense of urgency mounting. I dial Sean’s number, and he picks up after the first ring.
‘Sean, I need you to get a couple of men and bring the car over to Mandy’s place. Have them sit on it until morning and keep an eye on it,’ I tell him.
‘You got it, boss,’ Sean replies without hesitation. ‘Do you want them to follow her tomorrow as well?’
I hesitate, thinking about how Mandy reacted to the car. She’s already pushing back on it, and having my men follow her might just make things worse. ‘No, just send the men. They’ll turn the car over to her in the morning,’ I decide.
‘Understood. I’ll take care of it,’ Sean assures me.
‘Thanks, Sean,’ I say, hanging up and slipping the phone back into my pocket.
I walk back to my car and climb in, scanning the area. The man is long gone, and I might be wrong in my assumption. But my gut tells me I’m not. Jimmy is bound to make a move, and I can’t shake the feeling that it’ll involve his daughter.
I sit there for a moment, my mind racing. The weight of the situation presses down on me, and I can’t afford to make a mistake.
As I start the car and drive away, I replay the glimpse of the man in my mind. The way he moved, the sense of familiarity—it all points to Jimmy. I’ve been waiting for him to show his hand, and I worry that tonight might have been the beginning.
The drive back to my place feels longer than usual, my thoughts consumed by the potential threat. When I finally pull into the driveway, I take a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside me.
Once inside, I head straight to my study, needing to plan my next steps.
I sit down at my desk, pulling out a notebook and pen. I need to strategize, to think several steps ahead. Jimmy is cunning, and if he’s involved, this won’t be a simple confrontation.
My thoughts are interrupted by a call from Sean. “Boss, the men are in place. They’ll keep watch until morning and make sure Mandy gets the car.”
“Good. Tell them to stay sharp. If they see anything suspicious, I want to know immediately,” I instruct him.
“Will do. And boss, are you sure about not having them follow her? Just in case?”
I pause, considering it again. “Yes. Mandy needs to feel like she has some control. We’ll keep it to just the car for now.”
“All right. I’ll keep you updated,” Sean says before hanging up.
I can’t shake the feeling that Jimmy’s move will be imminent, and I need to be ready. As I stare at the ceiling, I think about Mandy’s safety and how far I’m willing to go to protect her.
The night stretches on, and I finally force myself to get some rest. Tomorrow is another day, and I need to be prepared for whatever comes next.
Once in bed I close my eyes, determined to stay one step ahead of Jimmy, no matter the cost.