“Yeah, mi amorcito, you definitely took something out of context,” he answered. His mouth moved to her earlobe, his teeth gently tugging. He slid his tongue along the smooth shell and then dipped behind it, sending a shiver through her body. “You must have come in on the end of all our argument. I was furious at Drake. I still am.”

“Elijah,” she said softly. “What did I get wrong?”

“You were the one making the sacrifice. Not me. You. You’re the innocent caught up in all this. In the hell that’s my life. From the beginning, I wanted you protected. We knew what the others would think and we knew some of them would make a move against us, but Drake assured me this place was impenetrable and that his men would be able to keep all of it from you.”

“All of what?” They were in dangerous territory now and she knew it. She was about to learn things she would have to take time to process.

“If your grandfather’s businesses are aligned with mine, we would control more territory than any other boss. We would have unparalleled power. None of the other bosses want that. Most will back off, but a few are going to try to stop it. Drake wanted to draw them out.”

“What does Drake have to do with crime lords?”

“He and Jake take apart their businesses. We have to identify each family and then figure out what they’re doing and then take them apart.”

She smoothed his hair. He’d said we have to identify them, as if he was part of Drake’s operation and not a part of the underworld, but she didn’t ask him. Not yet. Not when he needed to explain what she’d heard.

“How could you think I would say that, Siena? Dios, I can’t keep my hands off you. I wanted to climb in your hospital bed with you. If I had my way, we’d have anointed every room in this house as well as every piece of furniture. The rugs in front of the fireplaces and the floors as well. You wear those skirts and I want to lift the hem and see if you’re wearing panties. If you’re not, I want to claim what’s mine. If you are, I want to see how sexy they are.”

“You could be a little obsessive.” She couldn’t keep the smile out of her voice, because really? Every room? The furniture? The idea sent a shiver of excitement down her spine.

“You think?” He nuzzled her throat. “Get used to it, baby, because now that you’re feeling better, I intend to make certain you know just how much I want you.” He lifted his head again. “When you hear or think you hear something, you have to come to me, Siena. You have to get how much you mean to me.”