Page 100 of The Lieutenant

Another laugh roared up from my throat. “Yes, that too. I think it’s time to call Milan and tell them the meeting is off.”

“With what explanation?” she asked as we strode into the sunshine.

“None. Let them wonder and come begging. I assure you that will happen soon enough.”

For once, it felt good that violence wasn’t needed. Perhaps I was turning a new leaf. All because of one feisty journalist with a spitfire attitude and a heart of gold.

“Come here,” I told her. While we were sitting across from each other, Kara wasn’t close enough.

And I had a craving.

“I’m right here,” she answered. She’d been going over her notes since we’d left almost two hours before. I knew she was nervous, admitting she felt this was her last chance to discover any information about her mother’s death. Too many years had passed and if the assassination had been a syndicate order, opening that can of worms after all this time still had the potential of bringing heat and unwanted questions to their organization.

There were some eliminations that simply weren’t discussed. Besides, the Sicilian Don wasn’t going to eagerly provide a newspaper journalist with any information he didn’t want exposed to the public. He couldn’t care less about her awards or accolades. I was shocked he’d agreed to take the meeting at all.

With him, there was always an ulterior motive.

“Not close enough.” As soon as she stood, I pulled her into my lap.

“You’re such a controlling man.”

“You’re just figuring that out?” I held her close, her perfume pushing my buttons all over again. “You’re going to do fine.”

“I don’t know why this time I’m more nervous than any other. I’ve been in dangerous situations before, some more than others. You’re with me.”

“Because you’re determined to learn every scrap of information you can about your mother’s murder.”

She sighed. “It’s important to me. I feel maybe if I know at least who’s responsible I’ll finally be able to let go.”

“As I’ve mentioned, be careful what you ask for. Often learning the truth will only prolong the demons living inside.”

“Leandro?”

I was rubbing her arm aimlessly. “Yes. It hurts knowing Bernardi was involved to this day.” I’d finally told her the story of why our families were at odds. As she’d done with telling me about the scuba diving incident, sharing one aspect of my past, including the horrors my brother had gone through, had provided a sense of peace. A weight being lifted. I’d never shared as much with anyone other than my family in my life.

“I know the risks, Havros. But I need to know. That’s the kind of girl I am.” She was even trembling, which wasn’t like her.

“I promise you that I’ll find the truth regarding your mother. Don’t set yourself up for a sharp fall with the Sicilian Don. He’s not the most trustworthy person in the world.”

“It’s funny. I’ve said that about you.”

Chuckling, I couldn’t help myself, pinching her nipple. “Yes, you have. I will remind you of that.”

At least I was given a smile. “Just do me one favor. Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“I never do. You’ll learn that about me.”

“Maybe I need a drink to calm down. And you can tell me again when you’re planning on popping into the room.”

I continued caressing her arm until an idea shifted into my devious mind. “There’s something that will help you more than a drink, something that will relax you.”

“Hmmm… What do you have in mind, bad man?” She turned her head, catching my eye.

When I eased her from my lap, she looked at me skeptically. “Exactly what you need.” As soon as I started unfastening her pants, she immediately threw her head over her shoulder.

“You are so bad. Someone will see us.”

“So what, kitten? You have a beautiful bottom. Why not show it off to the world? Or in this case, the pilot.”

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