Page 47 of Mistletoe in the Mafia

I take all that in with a blank face despite the ache in my chest. Still, I latch onto one thing he said.

“Your father was in charge of her case?”

Joshua nods with a grim expression. “Yeah.”

Interesting. It seems if I need information, I’ll have to go through Papa Benson.

“Whatever it is you’re planning, don’t. I told you, Dad can’t find out you’re here or that I even allowed you near the FBI.”

I get to my feet and offer him a small smile. “Don’t worry, Joshua. He won’t. I have to go. If Madelyn comes in here just try to explain and give her a good enough excuse for why her plan is not fucking happening.”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m pretty sure I’ve given her every excuse under the sun. Nothing is going to stop her. I think it’s actually making her even more determined.”

I smile at that. “I’ll take care of it.”

“You’d better. This is all your fault, after all,” he says accusingly.

“See you later, Benson.”

I walk out of the office and head home, already making a plan.

CHAPTER 12

Madelyn

I’m staring hard at the wall in my office when a sharp and purposeful knock comes from the door. It’s pretty late, so I can’t help but wonder who’s on the other side.

“Come in,” I say loud enough for whoever it is to hear.

The door opens and in walks a woman with long legs and shiny blonde hair. My lips part as I take her in. She’s gorgeous in that model-like kind of way—slim, with big breasts and pretty almond green eyes that scan the room before landing on me. She offers me a bright smile as soon as her eyes meet mine. The woman is stunning, and it would be intimidating, except she’s currently wearing a red sweater with the words “Yule Be Sorry” emblazoned in bold white letters across the front, a smirking Santa underneath it.

I blink, pulling myself out of the momentary shock. “Hello?”

She shifts her weight from one leg to the other. “Hi, sorry for barging in here. The office door has the words ‘intelligence analyst’ on the plaque so I assumed it was someone else’s office,” she explains.

She’s kind of cute. I set down the coffee cup in my hand and rise from my chair.

“It’s okay. Who are you looking for? Maybe I can help?”

“I’m looking for Dominic,” she replies, surprising me. “Hale. Dominic Hale. He works as an intelligence analyst on this floor.”

Why is this beautiful blonde looking for Dominic?

“Oh, um. Yeah, I know Dominic, but he left work early today. He’s not in.”

She shuts her eyes with a soft sigh before muttering under her breath, “That fucking jackass.” When her eyes open, she shoots me an apologetic glance. “Sorry, it’s just he promised to go out for drinks with me tonight, and he didn’t call to cancel. He can be so annoying at times.”

Trust me, lady, I know.

I can’t help the flare of jealousy in my chest at this situation. I have no idea what her relationship is with Dominic, but they must be close if they’re going for drinks together. The man doesn’t drink, and he especially doesn’t go out.

“Anyway, I’d better go,” she says, looking around my office, taking in the Christmas lights strung along the bookshelves and the miniature snowman figuring perched on my desk. She smiles, and it’s warm, disarming, the kind of smile that makes you want to like her even if your gut tells you not to.

She turns her attention back to me, her expression genuinely curious. “I should probably introduce myself,” she states, holding out her hand. “I’m Carly, and you are…?”

“Madelyn,” I answer cautiously, shaking her hand.

Her grip is firm, yet soft. As soon as I say my name, her eyes grow wider.

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