Page 9 of Mated into the Mob

The metal door opened, and I studied the thickness of the steel. It would muffle any screams or calls for help. This was no basement with a wine cellar, a pool table, or a second-hand sofa, its fabric frayed where a bunch of kids played video games or watched Sunday-night football. Nothing other than a bulldozer was getting through that door without the combination.

The steps led into a pool of darkness, and I bit the side of my mouth, trying and failing to tamp down the anxiety that threatened to overwhelm me.

I glanced in his direction. “I hate creepy crawlies.”

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Ass! He was enjoying my discomfort, and I turned away, berating myself for almost feeling something for the guy.

He shrugged. “And I’m not a fan of licorice!” He screwed up his face.

“What?” My screech bounded down the stairs and bounced back at me, and I swiveled to face him. “I don’t give a damn. What’s that got to do with me?” The rage that I’d bottled inside me exploded.

His hand moved to the holster with lightning speed before I’d finished yelling, and his face fell, but he quickly recovered and maintained a more neutral expression. He crossed his hands in front of his crotch, giving me the perfect view of the tattoo.

What was that saying about not being fooled by a snake?

6

FLINT

Tony stood at the top of the stairs, fear in his eyes. Since we met, he’d been sassy and shouty, curious and contrary, and any hint of fear had been replaced with spunk. But staring into the basement, his body trembled. Did he think I was going to off him here? It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility, but no, it was a place to keep him until I’d thought this through.

And when I’d tried to connect with him on a human level, sharing something personal about myself, he’d misunderstood. But that wasn’t fair. I’d misjudged what he was saying. I’d assumed we were doing the “sharing is caring” thing humans were fond of repeating.

You really messed up. My wolf sighed.

Until I met Tony, my beast and my dad were the only ones who called me out on my shit these days. But I refused to admit how crushed I was when Tony shouted at me. Also, anyone who yelled at me, other than my dad and brothers, never did it again. Except this guy.

But I was humiliated, and as much as I wanted to inhale his scent, I needed space from him, and the aroma of his shampoo,body wash, and deodorant, while in the background, nestled his natural scent, the one my body craved. He represented chaos, and my life was about rules and order.

“Lights on.” Tony’s body jolted as I barked out the order. The system responded to my voice, but only mine, and the stairs lit up.

The basement was a fully functioning apartment, a place I often spent the night, though my personal items were in the main part of my home. I had the whole house at my disposal, but wandering around those rooms, empty of life, illuminated how lonely my life was. I was always surrounded by business associates, friends, or family, and yet at the end of the day, it was just me, staring in the mirror.

Thanks to the door and thickness of the walls, no wifi or phone signal could penetrate the basement. I did have an illegal wifi jammer but hardly used it, except when conducting important meetings. That was rare, as this was my private domain and I hated it being invaded by outsiders.

“Warn me next time.” He gave a good impression of a snarl before stumbling down the stairs.

Not bad. My wolf was impressed with his wild-animal imitation.

I checked the fridge was fully stocked. But I needed his phone, just in case he was a tech wizard and managed to send a message.

“It’s in my locker at the club,” he replied when I asked him to hand it over.

But I couldn’t take the chance he wasn’t telling the truth.

“I have to frisk you.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You’re going to put your hands all over me?”

This guy. He had the ability to get under my skin, and I hated it.

You don’t hate it. Sometimes I wished I could mute my wolf.

Of course I do. I’m the La Luna Noir boss, the pack Alpha, the most powerful mafia shifter pack in the entire state, maybe the country.

You’re not being honest.My beast closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.

Perhaps I wasn’t, but my judgment was fuzzy when I was close to Tony.

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