Hidden Rocco (Hidden Alphas Book 5)

by Victoria Pinder

  How had she driven three hours with her hair in knots? No wonder Rocco hadn't taken her up on a kiss. She rushed down the stairs.

  As she neared the library she heard more about Captain Ahab and poked her head in.

  Once again her son was knocked out from Rocco reading to him.

  Her heart melted, but she took a few deep breaths before entering. “How far are you and Jacob in the book now?”

  Rocco closed the book and picked up her small boy, placing him in the playpen. “We just finished chapter three so there’s a lot left to go. How was the office?”

  A bottle of chilled white and two glasses were on the low table. Perfect. She picked up the corkscrew, but Rocco joined her near the fireplace and opened the bottle for her, pouring into their glasses. “Mostly it was Julie. She told me to call my brothers.”

  He put the bottle down on the table near her. “Well, it’s nice to have family.”

  Next to the book where he'd been sitting was her house phone. She lifted her eyebrows. “You were on the phone?”

  “With my mother.” His cheeks were red.

  She smiled and clinked her glass to his so hopefully he would relax with her. “Did you tell her we’ll see her tomorrow?”

  He sipped. “No, but I told her I was free. No more prison.”

  Her lips parted--her skin heated near him. “You didn’t want to wait until you were with her in person?”

  His lips curled into a sexy grin. “No. She’s already weak from her first treatment, and I want her to know she has to rally and be strong, for me. She wants to meet you.”

  Her eyes widened as she pressed her hand to her heart. “Me?”

  Rocco’s gaze narrowed and for one second she had tingles like he saw the real her until he said, “You’re the angel who fixed my life.”

  An angel wasn’t human and maybe this was the issue. She’d offered her heart but he didn’t want that. Now she had to let go, which was the opposite of what she normally did in this situation. She sipped her wine. “I did it so you would help me. You saved Jacob today.”

  His face grew shadows and he put his almost untouched glass down. “No, you did.”

  She'd run out of the bathroom, seeing Bear punching Rocco, Mo reaching for Jacob. Her heart had lurched and she'd made a beeline for her suitcase as the men struggled.

  Rocco had cradled Jacob with his body just as she'd pulled the trigger at Mo.

  While she was a trained shot, she’d never had to fire under that much pressure.

  Ever.

  She glanced at her precious son and put her glass next to Rocco’s. “I shot a man in the side. You dove in front to shield my baby.”

  He shifted toward her, his shoulders and guard up as he said, “I promised I’d protect you both.”

  Right. Every cell in her body screamed that she needed to convince him to stay. She had to find the words, but instead she sighed and said, “Then everything I did for you is paid back. I won’t mind if you want to stay with your mother.”

  He pressed against her elbow and she glanced up at him as he said, “I want to stay with you.”

  Her mind buzzed. She must have misheard so she stared at his lips and asked, “What did you say?”

  His touch sent shockwaves of awareness through her. “I want to stay but I don’t have money.”

  Unless he had some business idea that took off that would never change, but she didn't care.

  Money was her own form of prison. He'd be fine the rest of his days even without her. “Actually the wrongful imprisonment settlement will be coming in soon.”

  “That doesn’t make me your equal,” he said, and she swore she heard his heart beating in rhythm with hers as he stood so close.

  If only she was just a woman standing here now, but that wasn’t ever going to be true. Her hair stood on end. “A bank account doesn’t make anyone an equal. It tends to make men… well no one I want to be near, and I don’t want Jacob to transform into a spoiled boy because he gets whatever he wants.”

  Awareness grew in her belly as Rocco came even closer and their bodies were touching despite the layers of clothes. “Good, because all I have to offer is my love.”

  This wasn’t what she thought would happen for her. Ever.

  Did this mean he’d stay here with her? Her lips opened but the question didn’t come out. All she could ask was, “What?”

  He took her hand. “I love you. You’re brave, smart, and wonderful.”

  “But I’m demanding and bossy.” She sealed her lips. In business she knew better than to talk bad about herself as it showed weakness.

  He kissed her palm and held it to his chest. “You are, but it’s part of your charm. I just can't figure out what I bring into your life.”

  “You,” she said, her eyes wide. Didn’t he see he was amazing and perfect for her?

  He lowered his head but stayed an inch away so she didn’t quite think he’d kiss her. Her body was ready though. “When you were taken back by the colorful butterflies at the park, and the nest of birds, I figured out that you don’t notice natural beauty around you.”

  She let out a small laugh and squeezed his hand, wanting kiss as she went on her tiptoes. “I don’t have the time.”

  He swallowed and his Adam's apple flexed. He took a breath and she wondered if he was nervous as he said, “So besides protecting you, I’ll happily point out flowers and appreciation...If you’ll have me.”

  Seriously? She jumped up and hugged him. “Then we’ve just made the best deal. I love you. We’ve only kissed a couple times.”

  He stroked the back of her head like she was a delicate flower in the garden. “Then let me make that up to you.”

  “Perfect.” Her eyes flitted closed.

  A second later, she was in heaven as his lips claimed hers while the rest of the world disappeared.

  Chapter 19

  Three months later…

  New York…

  Raphael fixed his blue tie over his white dress shirt as he glanced in the lobby mirror of the upscale hotel and restaurant.

  Mica was right that most people in this city wore black.

  More business-type people passed him as he rocked Jacob's stroller back and forth in the gilded halls.

  Both the man and the woman curled their nose at the sight of a baby, but neither had any idea that Jacob, who he loved as his own, would one day master their fates.

  Clueless fools.

  Finally Mica came out of the bathroom in her knee-length black shift that clung in all the right places.

  The diamond on her finger sparkled from the streetlights outside the windows and he offered his arm. She accepted and they strode into the restaurant together as she said, “Everything will be great. It’s good to let everyone see the engagement ring all at once so no one is calling each other with commentary and useless opinion that usually delays a good deal. You and I are the only ones that get a real say in our lives.”

  They parked the stroller near the maitre’d and Mica picked Jacob up. “I'm glad I could choose a ring for you on my own.” The money from the settlement had come in, and he'd given most of it to her investors to handle.

  “I’ll wear it with pride, my love.” She rocked their baby on her hip.

  He might not have fathered Jacob, but after finishing Moby Dick, he realized he’d be the best dad he could be to this boy. Once they were ready, she turned and glanced down the one step from the five star Forbes-rated hotel into the Michelin-rated restaurant. “Good,” he said. “Let’s go.” They entered the foyer.

  Mica smelled of fresh flowers that tickled his throat and he wanted to kiss her though she aimed for his cheek and said, “Rocco, this is my brother, Raphael. I’m going to bring Jacob to my parents for a minute. Be right back.”

  A dark-haired man about an inch shorter than him shook his hand. As Mica departed with Jacob, Raphael said, “My sister told me you’re interested in security.”

  Her hips swayed in that dress of hers a
nd held his attention but he nodded and said, “Yeah. I’m watching out for my family.”

  Raphael straightened his shoulders. “What about your country?”

  This reminded him of high school when he'd talked to the Marine Corp recruiter in the lunchroom after hearing him in gym class.

  Rocco stiffened and asked, “What?”

  Raphael eased his posture a little. “You had high military clearance.”

  “That was a few years ago,” Rocco deflected but his mind sharpened.

  Was her brother offering him a job?

  Mica looped her arm around his elbow and raised her voice as she said, “Raphael! Not now.”

  Her brother patted him on the shoulder. “Look, here’s my card. Call me and we’ll talk about what you can do to help protect this country.”

  Without another word Raphael went to speak to a woman who must be his wife.

  Mica shook her head and squeezed his side in a small hug. “Raphael does some sort of spying for the government. I don’t really know what he does to be honest. You don’t have to do anything. Only call if you want.”

  Interesting. Helping others sounded appealing. Especially if he could still keep his family safe too.

  Mica ushered him in the other direction to a man, woman and baby girl about Jacob’s size as Mica said, “And this is Gabriel and his wife, Erica.”

  Gabriel shook his hand. “My sister says you make her happy.”

  Mica picked up the girl and made "aww" sounds about being an aunt.

  Rocco took his hand back and stared into the man's brown eyes. “I hope so.”

  Gabriel nodded, put his arm around the woman beside him and said, “Good, because Mica will always be my baby sister.”

  Mica held up her finger to show the ring as she said, “Gabriel…”

  It was clear Mica was working on her mom voice in how she inflected her brother’s name.

  “Beautiful.” Erica hugged her.

  Gabriel and Erica took their daughter back and they agreed to talk more later.

  Mica motioned toward the bar where Jacob was with her parents like she wanted their boy back. He walked with her as he asked, “So your other brother is more protective of you?”

  Mica whispered, “Gabriel’s first wife tried to have him killed. We had a chance to bond again now that he found love and a second opportunity to be happy with his new wife.”

  Murder. It seemed all the Murphys had their run-ins. His hair stood on end as he relived the moment those men had kicked open the hotel door and threatened Jacob and Mica. “I see.”

  They made it halfway to the bar when a wrinkled hand pressed against his side. He let Mica go and immediately hugged the small woman who weighed eighty pounds when soaking wet. “Mom!”

  He put her down and saw she still had her gray hair despite the chemotherapy. Mica said, “It’s nice to see you again, Ms. Hellsworth. You look healthier.”

  “Thank you.” Treatment must be working. His mother fixed her crucifix around her neck and stared into Mica’s brown eyes. “Your parents are lovely. This is a beautiful hotel.”

  Later he’d take her to the park where they might talk, one on one. Tonight was for Mica though so he patted her on the back as Mica said, “I’m happy you’re here to celebrate with us.”

  He reached down and hugged her one more time and then said, “Talk to you soon, Mom. Tomorrow morning, it’s a date for just the two of us.”

  His mother wiped her eyes, crying happy tears as she nodded.

  Jacob smacked his gums which was the boy’s tell to pay him attention. Rocco guided Mica forward, and she immediately reached for her son. He shook the couple’s hands. “Mr. and Mrs. Murphy.”

  Her father folded his arms like he was still King of Wall Street as he said, “Well, my daughter is getting married again. I hope you work out better than the last one.”

  He hugged Mica’s waist. “I’ll do everything in my power to keep her and Jacob safe.”

  “Then you already win. Come, dear.” Her mother pulled her father away to order drinks.

  Now he’d seen all the Murphys in one room. He could say Mica fit in, but didn’t bother. This was their world which was fine by him.

  She bounced their boy in her arms. “See, it wasn’t that bad. Now everyone knows how much we love each other and that we intend to marry.”

  Rocco kissed her on the mouth, not caring who saw. They were going to live happily-ever-after. And he’d show Mica for the rest of their lives how amazing she was.

  Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed Rocco and Michaela’s tale. This took forever to write, seriously, as I couldn’t quite put my finger on Rocco as he’s a quiet guy. And he had no problem letting others get ahead of him. So this is it for now, but more may come later as I love toying with modern day gothic adventure romances.

  For now you can read about a short story series of billionaires all being targeted and you start the Tempting series with Tempting Gabe for FREE.

  Third option is Favorite Crush where Penny refuses to be anything like her gold digging mother and is all about being a smart engineer, and almost misses out on her chance at love with billionaire Jay Marshall in Favorite Crush.

  And to find out about new books, sign up for my newsletter: https://victoriapinder.com

  Also by Victoria Pinder

  Returning for Valentine’s (FREE if you go to my website)

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  Secret Admirer

  Secret Cowboy

  Secret Mistress

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 1-3

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 4-6

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 7-9

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 10-12

  The House of Morgan Boxed Set 13-15

  Princes of Avce

  Forbidden Crown

  Forbidden Prince

  Forbidden Royal

  Forbidden Duke

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  Forbidden Marquis

  Forbidden Count

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  Irresistibly Lost

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  Hidden Dane

  Hidden Rocco

  Hidden Alphas Boxed Set

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  Favorite Crush

  Favorite Mistake

  Favorite Sin

  Favorite Scandal

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  About the Author

  USA Today Bestselling Author, Victoria Pinder grew up in Irish Catholic Boston then moved to Miami. Eventually, found that writing is her passion. She always wrote stories to entertain herself. Her parents are practical minded people demanding a job, but when she sat down to see what she enjoyed doing, writing became obvious.

  Visit my website and download a free novel

  www.victoriapinder.com

  victoria@victoriapinder.com