Page 54 of The Boss

“He likes this whiskey from the United States. It’s crazy because he likes it cold right out of the refrigerator.”

If that was true, he’d been in the house for longer than a few minutes. “How did you get here? I have your phone and you have no money. Let me guess, your friend.”

“Yes, cutting off my abilities to get away from you easily doesn’t mean I can’t make my way, even in a foreign country where I don’t know the language.”

“How?”

She heard my deep exhale and snorted in her cute little way. “I walked most of the way to Athena’s place, the girl I was staying with and one from the club.”

“Most of the way?”

“I had a ride from a nice young man.”

I instantly bristled. “What did he look like?” Actual jealousy reared its ugly head. “Tell me.”

“What does it matter? Are you going to beat him to death for being nice to me?”

“Do you have any idea how stupid that was?”

“Ask me if I care, Dimitrios. I wanted to find out anything I could and I did. Maybe because you didn’t think about returning to the house, you’re just pissed at me.”

My God. The woman continued to push me. Hard. I had the desire to yank her over my lap again, teaching her another lesson. That would have to wait. “Do not do that again.”

She saluted me this time. “Why, yes, sir. I’ll be a good girl.Sir.”

I allowed her a moment for the arrogant outburst, reminding myself she’d been through more than most could deal with. What I couldn’t stand was the tension between us. I’d never had the patience for it, purposely forcing people to talk. But this time, no, this night, I felt different than before.

So I waited until she seemed calmer.

“Is this where you slept?”

“Yes.” She was fiddling with something in her hand. “I didn’t come into this room when I came back. You know. That day I mean.” Her uncertainty had returned.

For all the words she’d spoken to me, I sensed this was harder on her than even before. “What did he leave for you?”

She turned slightly, still not looking in my direction. In her hand was a necklace. I walked closer, taking it from her. It was a stunning jeweled piece with diamonds and rubies.

“Rubies are my birthstone for late July. I didn’t even think he remembered.”

“It’s beautiful.” It also cost a fortune. I sat down on the edge of the bed, trying to curtail the emotions running through me. I was furious with her but also relieved.

“Yes. Very special.” She shifted all the way around to face me. “What was he doing here? To surprise me? Maybe that’s what it was. He was supposed to come the night before. It was a big dinner my mother had planned but he was a no show. Was he here when they were…”

She couldn’t finish the sentence.

“I don’t have that answer either, Willow. But it does provide a sense that what you’d told me about how nervous he seemed on the phone was real.”

“My brother isn’t a liar.”

How in the fuck was I supposed to respond? Was I really going to shatter her last clinging hope her brother hadn’t orchestrated his own parents’ murder? “We should go.”

“Will you… Will you put the necklace around my neck?” She was hopeful in her question.

The last damn thing I wanted to do at this point was place the fucking expensive piece of what I believed was bribery around her neck. But I relented if for no other reason than to keep her calm.

“Of course.” I placed the weapon on the bed, feeling more than just uncomfortable.

When she lifted her hair, just seeing the long line of her neck was enough to tighten my balls. She seemed even more vulnerable at this point, not fragile, but her strength and resilience were waning.

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