Free Escape to Heaven (Heaven on Earth Book 1) by Reana Malori Page B

means all of you. I want your agreement.” She laughed under her breath at the dejected look that came over their faces. They were all acting as if their favorite toy had been taken away. “Noah, make them agree.”
    Tony was first to answer. “Agreed, Adele, but if anything looks shady, you no longer have a say in how we handle it.”
    Daniel was next. “And if this Stefano guy doesn’t come correct, he’ll regret ever meeting you. He won’t even see it coming.”
    “Daniel, did you just threaten to—”
    Tyler piggybacked on that. “Yes, he did, and don’t you forget it. You’re family, Adele, and we protect what belongs to us. Make no mistake about it. We’ll back off, but we won’t be far. First we need to find out who’s making these calls to you, and then we’ll deal with your burgeoning love life.” He said this as if swallowing nasty cold medicine. They were amazing—crazy—but amazing.
    Noah walked to her and turned her around to face him. “Tony will be sleeping in the spare bedroom for tonight, and we’ll rotate with one of us being here at all times until this is over.”
    “I don’t need a babysitter,” she said under her breath with a tone full of piss and vinegar, but she couldn’t help but feel a little comforted that one of them would be at the house, just in case.
    “Don’t look at us as babysitters, because that’s not what it is. Consider it your own private security detail.” He paused as he lifted her chin so that she could look at him. “I will not be moved on this, Adele.”
    “Yeah, I love you guys too.” Her sarcasm was not lost on any of them, but they chose to ignore it.
    “We know you do. Now, what are you going to feed us tonight? We’re hungry.”
    *****
    Two nights later, Adele was dressed in a royal blue shirt and a knee-length black skirt for her first real date in years. Hair in an up-do with curly tendrils strategically cascading down her neck, she knew she looked sexy as hell. She never wore stockings, so her bare legs were smooth and well moisturized. To finish off the outfit, she wore three-inch black heels with peek-a-boo toe openings. He wouldn’t be able to resist her, and that was exactly what she had in mind.
    Tony was on babysitting duty tonight, but he wasn’t due to come over until later. Thankful that he wouldn’t be there to witness Stefano picking her up for their date, she gave one last look at her appearance in the mirror before turning away. Stefano would be arriving soon to pick her up for their dinner, and the butterflies were kicking off a serious house party in her stomach.
    Yesterday afternoon, she had heard from Tony that Stefano was exactly who he said he was. Not one blemish or questionable indiscretion was listed on his record. Although she would never admit it, she was glad they had checked him out. Now she could relax and enjoy her evening out.
    She walked into the living room just as she heard the front doorbell chime. Suddenly her palms became sweaty and her heartbeat increased. Never before had she been so excited about seeing a man, but this was different. This was Stefano. She had thought of him constantly at work during the past couple of days. She was always wondering what he was doing, was he thinking of her as well, and if she should call.
    At least once an hour, she picked up the phone, prepared to call him and just say hello. After only a couple of days, she was starting to crave him, and the thought of hearing his voice made her all warm inside. He had called her each night after the cookout and they had talked everything and nothing all at the same time. It was as if he wanted her to get to know the person he was without the distraction of being in his presence. He had no idea how much she appreciated what he was doing. She had never been wooed before, but she had a feeling that was exactly what he was doing.
    After their long telephone discussions, she now knew his reasons for accepting an officer commission in