Page 3 of Mine to Tease

“Makes sense,” I admit. The thought of maintaining our Mafia connections does excite me. “But what’s with this current situation? Don’t tell me we’re working for them, because you know I’d sooner die than pledge allegiance to the Irish.”

“I know, and no one is asking you to, with one exception.” My brows crinkle as confusion washes over me. What is he getting at?

“My sister,” Aidan interjects, taking a seat in the chair across from me as he slips his phone into the interior pocket of his suit jacket. As he settles in, Ru takes her place beside me, and I stretch in my seat, sprawling my legs out as if to remind him of whose house he’s in. I’m a cocky bastard, I know. Though his next words shatter the illusion of my comfort. “She’s a talker, complainer, stubborn, hilarious, prideful,” he rattles off. “All things you’ll come to know as you serve as her protector.”

I let out a half-hearted chuckle as if to say the fuck I will as his words rest heavy on my shoulders. This has got to be a joke. Though I know both of these men are too busy for such antics. No. They are dead serious. I keep my eyes directed at Aidan as he waits for my response, though I can feel Gio watching me, ready to leap into action should I try something stupid. I get my passion from both my mother and my father—my mother being Italian and my father French. Though, the blind rage—that’s purely the Dupont in me, the part I seek to bury.

I bite the inside of my jaw and lean forward in my seat as reality settles in. This is why Gio demanded I have the Compound operational by the first of February. Aidan’s been here a month, no doubt making arrangements for his sister to join him this entire time. Which means Gio has been keeping this from me for just as long. The sting of this secret burns hot. Though with it comes questions. Why not have her watched by your own men? Why is she here at all? Why me? And, most importantly, how? How can I protect the princess of the Irish mob without working with the mob? There’s no way this is a one-man job, and there’s no way Aidan has his sister living separately from him when New Orleans is dangerous for the average woman, let alone one who could be used as leverage against him. None of this makes sense.

“Well, he’s handling it a lot better than I anticipated,” Gio pipes up, sharing a look with Aidan. The smug smile that spreads across Aidan’s lips makes me want to bash his teeth in. But I have enough self-awareness to know my anger is misplaced. Aidan wouldn’t be here without the alliance Alister created nor without Gio’s approval. I feel betrayed by the two men I trust most. This whole thing is a fucking mess.

As rage bubbles inside me, my fingers shift into a fist pressed firmly against my knee. Before I lose it, I stand, leaving the two of them to sort the details since I clearly have no say.

“The pay is twenty-five thousand per month,” Aidan says as I make my way from the fountain to the iron stairwell. His words do nothing to slow my pace. My time and my life are worth more than that even if he can’t see it. “Thirty-five,” he offers up. Hmm, perhaps I stand corrected. I may not have a choice as to whether or not I take this assignment, but it seems the terms of the contract are still up for negotiation. Still, I know the kind of money men like him and Alister have to play with, and thirty-five thousand per month isn’t even close to respectable. Add it to the list of reasons I hate him and everything he represents.

“You insult me and your sister,” I say without so much as a glance over my shoulder.

Aidan hesitates, knowing I’m right. His pause gives me a glimmer of satisfaction. Men like him, like us, pride ourselves on being protectors and providers. If you can’t do that, you don’t deserve to call yourself a man. I know I’ve struck him where it hurts most. And by the time I’m halfway up the stairwell, he concedes. “Fine, one hundred thousand per month, indefinitely.” The tinge of frustration in his voice lets me know this is as high as he’ll go.

One hundred thousand a month is still less than I was paid to protect Sophia, but it’s still over a million a year plus my salary as manager of B&B and the income I bring in from the tattoo parlor. I’m still not happy about this, but with that kind of money on the line, he’s earned my presence.

“I never said he’d be an easy sell,” Gio mumbles as I slowly make my way back down the stairs.

“I’d hope not. A man capable of protecting my sister must be made of steel.”

“Well, I can attest to his abilities. Though his steel-like nature also applies to his head. Damon Dupont can be quite stubborn.”

At that, Aidan lets out a small chuckle. “He’ll have to be to handle Anastasia.”

Anastasia? As I make my way toward them, I overhear their remarks and begin to wonder what a sister of Aidan’s will be like. My first guess is a short redhead with an unhealthy dose of entitlement, and, if his phone call earlier is any indication, perhaps a level of willfulness that will rival mine. Great. That’s just what I need.

As I reach them, I remain standing, prompting them to do the same. We’ve all got enough pride in us to burn this city to the ground, as is obvious in the way Aidan tilts his chin and rolls his shoulders back. Keep trying, sunshine. “Continue,” I say in an effort to disguise my mocking smile.

“My sister is twenty-four, naïve, and innocent. She is completely unprepared for the independent life—a life without protection, without me, without the mob—she claims to want. Yet, she’s too headstrong to listen to reason.”

“Sounds like you failed her or are completely underestimating her,” I say, cutting him off. My bluntness draws a glare from him. I watch him closely as his fingers draw into a fist at his side just as mine did earlier.

“I have protected her,” he says, taking a step toward me. I mirror his actions by closing the distance between us.

“Give me a reason, Cross, just one and I won’t miss,” I growl.

“I’d hope not,” he responds.

“Alright now,” Gio says, placing his hand between us, resting his fingers on my chest. This is what he was afraid of, the only reason he stayed. Any other client and I’d be left to handle the intake interview and contract negotiations on my own. At that, Aidan shoves his hands in his pockets as if to keep them contained and takes a step back. Here I thought I was the one without a choice. But, if what he says is true, if his sister wants nothing to do with the mob, then that explains why he’s come to B&B. He has to find a way to keep his sister safe, whether she likes it or not, and since only the best can protect a princess, I’m his only option to keep his sister safe in this city. He’s desperate and I like it. Knowing this, once again, gives me a sense of satisfaction. I carry it with me as I also take a step back. Though I’m still not sure why she’d want to uproot her comfortable life in Boston.

“I’ve kept her from the dangers of the world that surrounds us,” Aidan continues. “She is happy, spirited, free from worry, and innocent in every way, and it’s my job to make sure she remains as such.” Innocent in every way? A virgin? “But now she wants a fresh start, a chance at a life on her own. She wants to blend in among the crowd, be normal. And she views my reassignment to New Orleans as her chance to do just that.”

I nod. Things are starting to make more sense. Most women of the Mafia love their lives of luxury and privilege. Everything they want is at their fingertips, everything from a degree, career, or corporation to a shopping trip in Milan, a husband, and more. Most would cling to the lifestyle this girl seems to be running from. But, with everything her brother has said and the words he’s used to describe her—naïve, unprepared, innocent—it all translates to sheltered and oppressed. I can understand why she’d want out. The thing is, you’re never truly out when it comes to the Mafia, and the mob is no different.

Anastasia wants to be normal, but she isn’t and she never will be. No matter how much one wants to abandon their name, their role, their birthright, some things you just can’t run from. Eventually, her name and all the enemies it draws will catch up to her. Aidan knows it and so do I. Still, is this really something I should be involved in? I know I don’t have a choice. And I know my personal bias makes me all the more hesitant. But protecting Anastasia means being on Aidan’s payroll. It means possibly going up against threats with ties to organized crime, potentially my own people or those I’ve had long-standing alliances with just to protect a chick who doesn’t even want help.

“You realize there’s potential for conflict of interest here,” I say, directing my question to Gio. But before he can respond, Aidan pipes up.

“There will be no conflict of interest. Your job is to protect my sister at all costs, against anyone who would do her harm. I realize your disdain for me and I don’t blame you. I’d be testy too if I were in your shoes. But I’m not asking you to be loyal to me or to work for me. I am asking you to be loyal to Anastasia. Work for her. Put her first. And it will be in your best interest to do just that as you will be held to the same standards of all her previous protectors.”

“And what standards are those?”

“Well, it’s quite simple. Should anything happen to my sister while she’s under your care, your contract will be terminated and so will you.”

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