Dark Temptation (Dark Saints MC Book 2)(44)

“Good,” E.Z. said. “Stay close, but don’t stay too close. Bear just got off the phone with her Mama. Shit’s starting to hit the fan.”

Gina turned, putting her back to the d-bag. His eyes traveled straight to her ass and the little fucker licked his lips and put a hand out, grabbing the air, making like he wanted to get a fistful of her. Then he actually pumped his hips a couple of times. His frat boy friend came to his side and patted him on the back, egging him on.

“Gina!” he called out. “What about tonight?”

She looked over her shoulder. “Call me later,” she said. When she turned back, the d-bag’s friend gave him a high five. My blood boiled at the idea of either one of them putting their hands on her. Fuck. I was no better. The minute that chick walked into view, I was probably thinking along the same lines. I knew better though. Gina DiSalvo was strictly off limits. Never mind her family connections, the girl was way too young for me and not my type.

“Zig!” E.Z. shouted in my ear. “You hearing me, man?”

“What? Yeah. I’m hearing you. What’s the world on her old man?”

Gina DiSalvo’s old man was none other than Gino DiSalvo Sr., head of one of the largest crime families along the southern border. They were also one of our biggest contracts. My club, the Dark Saints, M.C. did a lot of the DiSalvo’s dirty work. Protection, gun running, and every once in awhile, we cleaned up old man Gino’s messes for him.

“It ain’t good,” E.Z. said. “His old lady’s still running things.”

Gino’s wife, Christine had taken over operations in the last few months since her husband had a stroke. She downplayed it to the public but she’d had to come clean with Bear, my club’s President. Truth was, Gino was probably permanently incapacitated. He was in a nursing home outside of San Antonio. Two weeks ago, somebody tried to take him out with a pillow to the face. Nobody saw anything, of course. That’s why I was here. Christine DiSalvo wanted to play things safer than sorry. If her old man was a target, it meant the rest of her family might not be safe. This was strictly a babysitting gig. Make sure little Gina stayed out of trouble until things cooled down for her family.

Only by the looks of her, Gina didn’t know shit about what was going on back home. I watched her sashay around the corner. Damn. She was giving the frat boys a real show. I wished I had worn my leather cut. I had half a mind to throw it over her shoulders and pull her out of view.

“Well,” I said. “It doesn’t look like his daughter has the first clue what’s going on back home.”

E.Z. snorted in my ear. “I’m not surprised. Bear says she’s been sheltered her whole life. I’d bet my left nut Daddy’s little princess doesn’t even know how her family really makes their money.”

Bitter laughter rose in my throat. Sheeit. I’d done my homework. Lake Meredith College was an elite, private university that cost six figures to go to. I wondered what Gina would think if she knew what paid for her tuition.

“So what’s the plan here,” I asked. “You want me to pick her up?”

E.Z. let out a sigh. “Nah. Stand down. Eyes only for now. Christine doesn’t want to spook her. She just wants someone close by in case shit gets hotter down here in Port Azrael. So keep an eye on her, but don’t make it look like you’re keeping an eye on her.”

“Fuckin’ A,” I said. “I hope Mrs. DiSalvo’s forking over a nice load of cash for this one.”

“Don’t you worry about that,” E.Z. said. “Just hold up your end. I know it’s a shit job, Zig. I told Bear one of the prospects ought to handle it.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I said. “I get it. Bear wants to make sure Christine DiSalvo knows she’s getting top shelf treatment.”

“That’s about it,” E.Z. said. “We’ll make it up to you, man. That’s a promise.”

I laughed into the phone. Yeah. This was a bullshit job. But, as I rounded the corner and caught sight of Gina DiSalvo’s tight little ass again as she headed for her next class, I decided I might not mind.

“Check in tonight,” E.Z. said. “And thanks again, Zig. Bear won’t forget this.”

I clicked off the phone and tucked it in my back pocket. Based on the schedule Christine DiSalvo gave Bear, I had a good hour before Gina came out of her next class. My Harley was parked in a shaded grove across the street. I headed there, fixing to wait.

I made it halfway across the street when a soft voice reached my ears and made the hair rise on the back of my neck.

“You planning on following me all afternoon?”

I turned. Gina DiSalvo stood on the sidewalk, eyes flashing.

“Aren’t you going to be late for class?” I asked. She got my blood pumping the way she looked me up and down. Gina stood with her hand on her hip, balancing her backpack on one shoulder. A tiny pulse beat a furious pace near her temple. It was the only telltale sign that I had her as unnerved as she had me. The rest of her was all cool eyes and sassy mouth.

That mouth.

She had full lips that curved up at the corners in almost a permanent smirk. I took a step closer, towering over her. At six four, I had a foot on her. Up close and personal, I hadn’t realized how tiny she really was. Short. Not skinny. The girl had meat on her bones in all the ways I liked. She had Sicilian fire in her eyes. They were dark, curious. She raised one, jet-black brow as she eyed me.