Page 90 of Enforcer

“Jesus,” I cringe.

“Sorry, where the hell did you come from? I didn’t hear you come outside.”

“I’m stealthy. Now, who is this mystery man that you’re trying to order Alyssa to go after? I wouldn’t say I like the idea of her wandering around the city while we’re not there. What if he’s a murderer?” Slate says, seeming closer to the phone.

Brynne sighs. It seems our jig is up. “I’m putting you on speaker phone, Lyss.”

I smile. “So don’t talk shit about Slate, got it.”

“You two are too fucking much, you know that, right?” he replies.

“Alyssa has a fear of commitment, rightly so. She went through a lot as a kid. She promised me she’d try to let her walls down because the man that she’s talking to, fucking? I don’t know what they’re doing. He is a good man. But he texted her that he missed her, and she replied nothing. She’s ruining everything; make her listen,” Brynne whines to Slate, and I’m in stitches, laughing on the other end.

“Oh, so we’re talking about Dante?” Slate says matter-of-factly.

Of course, he knew something was going on; he walked in on us fucking while I was supposed to be beside his wife in the church. He also mentioned Dante at the hospital, not that I was too focused on what he said. I don’t know if he knew it was quite so serious between us, though.

“Yes, it’s Dante,” I sigh.

“Well, I will say, if you want a man who won’t hurt you, Alyssa, you’ve chosen correctly. Your heart knew what it was doing when it let its guard down around him. He’ll treat you like you deserve to be treated.”

I think of him shoving his pierced cock down my throat and slapping my face.

I bite my lip again, this time not in worry.

“Well, now it’s been too long to text him back, so…”

“Oh, don’t you fucking dare!” Brynne says as the phone jostles and her voice grows louder in the receiver. “You make this right.”

“Again, is that an order?” I tease.

I love that she’s so invested in Dante and me, only because it shows how much she cares about me.

“Fuck it. Yes, that’s an order.”

Hearing those words, all my reservations fall to the wayside, and I stand up and head for my purse.

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Can I have my wife back now?” Slate groans, and I laugh as Brynne likely scowls at him.

“Enjoy one another. I’ll be alright, B. I love you.”

“And I love you,” she squeals back as the line cuts off, and I smile from ear to ear.

She’s living proof true love and happiness exist, and I trust her to lead me through this, even if I have to tell my anxieties and reservations that I’m only following direct orders from my boss.

After all, she could have me killed if I don’t listen.

One must protect one’s own head.

Taking a deep breath,I knock on the door to which I once had a key. I don’t know if he’ll be home. With mounting tensions at the docks and everything else the Riccis lord over, there are days when he doesn’t return home. Before me, anyhow.

At least, that’s what he told me.

The door swings open, and the man before me looks like a cluttered mess—one I’m a bit worried about if I’m honest.

His eyes are bloodshot, his hair is tousled and sticking out in all different directions, and the unkempt suit he has on, half tucked-in, half not, looks like it’s been on his body for days.

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