Donnie
“Yup! And that's how I tricked my new bodyguard!” I concluded, and Lisa laughed loudly.
“That was really a ballsy thing to do, sis.” Lisa applauded me.
“Yeah, well, he deserves it,” I refused to feel guilty about pulling one over on Jack. Maybe now he'd realize I was a force to reckon with, and stop treating me condescendingly.
“Does he, though?” Lisa cocked an eyebrow and tugged one of her beautiful black braids, “I mean, he's just doing his job.”
“No, he isn't,” I argued, “He belittles me every chance he gets. And my father thinks Jack is the best thing since sliced bread. Well, I think he's just an unrefined lout.”
“Thank you for offering your unflattering opinion of me, Miss Gambino.” The voice this was delivered in was cold enough to freeze the air.
Lisa and I jumped and turned around to see Jack. He was wearing a polo shirt which made his biceps look bigger, and jeans that hugged his powerful legs.
“Jack! You scared me,” I put my hand to my chest which was heaving out of fear, not because I was in Jack's presence.
“Good,” Jack nodded and turned to Lisa, “And who are you?”
My eyes narrowed at how rude he was to Lisa, “Jack, I know you're a Neanderthal but you're not allowed to be rude to my friends.”
Jack glared at me, “I thought I told you your friends will be allowed to visit only after they passed a background check.”
“And I thought I told you you aren't my boss, so ha!” I know I sounded childish, but that was all up to Jack's arrogance.
Jack pinched the bridge of his nose and looked towards the heavens like he was pleading for help, “Donatella! You tricked me. You left the shower running and you came out here.”
“It's not like I left the compound!” I pointed out. Lisa and I were sitting beneath some umbrellas at the pool, watching the evening turn to twilight, “You have no right to say I tricked you.”
Jack looked like he was going to spit fire when Lisa offered her hand to him for a handshake.
“Hi, I'm Lisa Lemonde. Donnie's friend, but you already knew that.” She informed him sweetly.
I couldn't fathom why Lisa was being nice to Jack. I'd seen her cut arrogant men like him down to size with only two words.
Jack stared at her hand before he shook it, “I'm Jack Sinclair, Donnie's bodyguard.”
“He's also the bozo that made me lose our bet.” I added without batting an eye.
Jack winced and his eyes got a little colder, which I didn't think was possible, “I saved your ass, Donnie.”
“I believe you did.” Lisa smiled.
I rolled my eyes. This was really out of character for Lisa.
“Good,” Jack gave a tight smile that didn't reach his eyes, “Now that you two are done talking, Donnie has to return to the house.”
“No,” I shook my head, “I'm not done talking to Lisa. I haven't told her about the bombshell my father dropped on me today, I haven't finished bitching to her about you. No, I'm not returning to the house.”
Jack nodded, “Very well, then.” He brought a chaise lounge and placed it near ours, “I'll stay here with you.”
I frowned at him, “Could you give us a little space?”
Jack gave me a look that said: in your dreams. I sighed, the man was really obstinate, but I vowed not to lose this round.
I returned to my chair and urged Lisa to do the same.
“So, what bombshell are you talking about?” Lisa was curious.
I brought out my phone and sent her a message.
Donnie: My father wants me to get married the second I graduate from college.

Lisa stared at me with her eyes as wide as saucers. After a while, she returned my message.

Lisa: No way!
Donnie: Way! He even has the man picked out.
Lisa: For real? That's shocking. I'm shocked. I'm shook.
Donnie: Lol. I was too, girl.
Lisa: What does your betrothed look like?
Donnie: I have no idea. Daddy didn't say.
Lisa: This sounds like something out of a badly written romance novel!
Donnie: Ikr?
Lisa: So what are you gonna do?
Donnie: Find a way to NOT marry the man.
Lisa: You should find out what he looks like.
Donnie: I don't care, although I don't think he's as ugly as a prison warder over there.

I looked pointedly at Jack and Lisa laughed, just like I intended her to.

Lisa: Lol! But Jack isn't ugly.

I looked at Jack again, and my eyes clashed with his. He held my gaze for a second before he scowled and looked away.

Donnie: But he's effing annoying.
Lisa: I think he's just doing his job.
Donnie: Ugh! I don't want him to be my bodyguard.
Lisa: So tell your dad.
Donnie: He won't listen. I think I'll get Jack to quit.
Lisa: Nah, I don't think you can. Jack's not gonna let you.
Donnie: Is this a bet?
Lisa: Yup, it is.
Donnie: Fine. Loser has to do whatever the winner says.
Lisa: Yes.

I smiled at Lisa, and she returned my smile. The game was on.
Lisa stretched and put her phone in her purse, “Okay baby girl, I think I have to head home.”
I stood and hugged her, “Bye, Lisa. See you tomorrow.”
Lisa smiled at Jack, “See you tomorrow, Jack.”
Jack grunted and I rolled my eyes. Did he think sounding like a bull made him look macho? If he did, then he was as stupid as I thought.
Lisa waved at me and walked out of my compound, leaving me alone with Jack.
“That should not happen again, Donatella!” Jack warned me.
“I don't know what you're talking about, but it'll happen again.” I replied and walked away from him.
I'd barely taken two steps when a large warm hand held my arm. Little arcs of electricity seemed to seep from his hand to my arm. I removed my arm as fast as possible.
Jack appeared before me with a grimace on his face, “I know you think I'm beneath you, and that I'm not clean enough to touch you.”
I didn't think that, but I wasn't going to dissuade him of that notion. Not when it could make him quit his job.
“Whatever,” I shrugged.
Jack's brown eyes darkened considerably as he brought his face closer to mine. I was lost in the strong line of his jaw, his thick lashes that framed his eyes, and the once broken nose that added character to his face. I didn't want to stare at his sensually wide lips, which were moving. Apparently, Jack was saying something, and I'd been admiring him.
“What did you say?” I asked him.
Jack frowned, “Weren't you listening? I don't think you should see Lisa Lemonde ever again.”
I drew away from his hypnotic mouth which sadly was probably only good at spewing nonsense, “That's not going to happen.”
“It will.” Jack asserted, “While you were messaging her, I had someone run a background check on her. Lisa Lemonde is the only child of Norman Lemonde, the largest illegal arms dealer in Chicago.”