Page 4 of Enforcer

“I can’t help but feel this is all my fucking fault.”

It’s not fair to drop my shit on her now, but I couldn’t help but get my admission out.

“Oh, Lyss. This isn’t your fault. You were only trying to help me escape my mess.”

I nod. “Still, I’m sorry for my part in it. I’ll be beside you for as long as you want me to be, Brynne. I’ve got your back. Always.”

She smiles warmly. “Thank you, Lyss.”

I sit back in the chair, both of us looking at one another and letting comfortable silence grow between us.

“Besides,” she says finally, and my eyes come back into focus on her, “you technically did help me get out of my money rut. I’m a millionaire now. Might even be a billionaire.”

I laugh—an absurd noise with all that’s going on. “I’ll be the judge of that when I see the books,” I toss back, and she laughs, scrubbing her face.

“Well, we’d better get to work, then,” she says

“First order of business?” I ask her.

“I need a meeting with Ardesia Ricci. He and I have some business to handle. Oh, and make sure they’re getting rid of whoever is locked in my basement currently.”

I bristle only slightly as I stand and give her a salute. “On it, Boss.”

“This is fucking weird,” she says.

I shrug. “We’ll figure it out.”

“Will we, Lyss? Will we figure outmafialife?”

I grin. “Oh, we’ll figure it out and have them bowing to us by the end of the fucking week, girl. I do not doubt our abilities.”

Her laugh this time is a little lighter, and I feel something unwinding in my chest, even though the world we’re both about to step into is uncharted and a lot darker than we’re used to.

At least we’re together.

CHAPTER TWO

ALYSSA

Standing beside Brynne’s desk after the hectic three days we’ve had, I shift on my heels, body feeling constricted by the pencil skirt and silk top I chose for this meeting to look more the part. I’ve been working with Mauro, Brynne’s father’s former right-hand man. He’s been teaching me the ropes and showing me everything I need to know about this job. By the end of the first lesson, it was clear that this was the most high-profile job I’ve ever had or will ever have.

Shit, this job might kill me.

The thrill of it, though, is enough to make me giddy each time my alarm rings. However, meeting Ardesia Ricci and his men has me on edge this morning.

“I need you to calm down. Your energy is affecting mine,” Brynne says, eyeing me as she watches the monitor on her desk.

Men who’ve arrived in two blacked-out Suburbans are dealing with John at the front gate, and I know from my own experience that they’re having the time of their lives right now.

A rueful grin tugs my lips up and spikes my blood pressure.

“You ready for this? You’ve only dipped your toe into this world so far.” Brynne looks at me head-on.

She looks fierce. Her makeup is done to perfection, and her knockout dress is form-fitting, and so fucking alluring even I might jump her.

“I’m ready. I was born for this life, don’t you think?’

Brynne laughs, shaking her head. “You know, I don’t think you’re wrong. You were the first person I thought of when Mauro called me boss. You were my first call.”

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