Page 15 of All In

I started working for the man when I was struggling to adjust to life as a civilian, and he was looking for someone with a military background.

It took a couple of years, but I gained his trust, and eventually, I took the second-in-command position, running security for Canton’s son, Cassian.

For growing up with one of the most notorious mob bosses in Vegas, Cas took a different path to success. Most of his business ventures are on the up and up. Before he found himself tangled up with the spunky little omega he recently bonded, it was a downright easy job to keep Cas safe.

Once Cas met Annika, everything flipped ass over tits. I’m still recovering from a stab wound to the side that I took when a rival mafia family made a move to collect Annika from Cas’s house back in Vegas.

Luckily, I survived that skirmish.

For my success in keeping that night off the radar of the Vegas police department, I earned a one-way ticket to Boston to, once again, take over my position working security for Cas.

I’ve got little hope I won’t be fired on the spot, but I’m resourceful. Also, my little sister has two years left to get her bachelor’s, and she wants to go for her master’s degree. That means I’ll beg if I need to.

Dropping my duffel bags at my feet, I knock on the door of the hotel room I was told to show up at.

“Holy shit! It’s Beefcake,” Annika says through the closed door.

I grin, waving at the peephole.

She’s beautiful, but a whole bundle of trouble I wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. And not just because she’s bonded to my boss. Her real last name comes with too many enemies for my liking, but she’s fun and Cas seems happy. If she lets me stick around, I’ll continue to talk her up to Cas’s old man.

The door pops open, and the brown-haired omega plants her hands on her hips. “You look a lot better than the last time I saw you.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “You mean, when your alpha almost put a bullet in my chest for having the audacity to survive the siege at Cas’s mansion?”

“Yeah, that,” she agrees, stepping back. “Ward is out getting food, but Cas is here. Come in.”

Ward used to run security for Cas, but Annika claimed him for her pack. It’s not exactly shocking.

Ward and Cas have always been more like brothers than boss and employee.

It just places me in a precarious position.

Annika has three well-trained alphas in her pack, outside of Cas. It’s highly unlikely they’re going to need me, and even less likely that they’ll want me around while they’re in their honeymoon stage of bonding.

Too bad for them.

I’m not giving up without at least trying to fight for my job.

Going back to work directly for Canton is an option, but I’m getting older. Distancing myself from some of the illegal bullshit he’s into seems like a logical choice for my future—if I can pull it off.

Meaning, it’s time to charm the hell out of my boss’s omega and pray she’ll advocate to keep me around.

I drop my stuff just inside the door and toss myself down on the bed closest to the exit.

Annika’s eyebrows rise. “I think Ward and Cas forgot to mention you were coming.”

The bathroom door opens. Steam billows as Cas comes out, yanking his T-shirt down. “My father mentioned sending him to provide backup assistance, but I assured him it wasn’t necessary.”

I stand, striding over and offering my hand. “I heard about what happened in Kentucky. From what Canton said, even more will be happening tonight or tomorrow.”

“He’s right about that,” Annika adds.

“Put me to work,” I say with a laugh.

Cas frowns, shaking my hand. “You know I appreciate all you’ve done, but I’m afraid I won’t be living in Vegas any longer.”

My heart drops.

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