Page 4 of Elusive Enforcer

“No, it’s nothing like that, Boss. I’m just…”What the hell do I tell him? That I’ve taken my sweet time on this assignment so I can daydream about the curvy, radiant woman with red hair and pouty lips?

“I don’t need excuses. I need those documents. Do I have to remind you of the importance of this assignment?” Aurelio pauses for a moment, leaning forward with his elbows on his desk. He looks me straight in the eyes, pinning me in place with his gaze alone. “This could be the key to eradicating those asshole cops who keep getting in my way every time I turn around. They don’t want to be paid off and they sure as hell don’twant toprotect and servetheir community. Everyone in Vegas will be better off without those men in power. Understood?”

I nod wordlessly, not wanting any more of his ire directed at me. He dismisses me with a tip of his chin, and I file out of his office with my head hung low in contrition. No one likes being called out by their boss on performance issues. The difference is, my Boss won’t hesitate to remove those not meeting expectations by any means necessary.

I pass Enrico, the Underboss, on my way out the front door. I give him a nod, hoping to avoid a conversation so I can get to the task at hand. No such luck.

“I know that look,” he comments, his lips spreading into a good-natured smirk. “Boss lit a fire under your ass?” Enrico asks, already knowing the answer.

“He was just reminding me of the importance of timeliness,” I reply.

Enrico chuckles a bit and then claps me on the shoulder. “You know Aurelio. If he doesn’t have a reason to be upset, he’ll make one up. Today, my friend, you were a casualty of the Boss’ bad mood.”

I’m not used to hearing anyone speak so candidly about Aurelio Caparelli. Men have died for less. Enrico, however, doesn’t seem concerned.

“Take that look off of your face, Lorenzo. You know as well as I do he’s been particularly restless and agitated lately. I’m just brave enough to say it out loud.”

“I don’t know if bravery has anything to do with it. You guys are practically brothers. You can get away with calling him a grouch.”

“Brothers we may be, but don’t sell yourself short. He tasked you with a sensitive mission. Aurelio trusts you, which is saying a lot. The inner circle is growing ever smaller. He’s hard on you, on all of us, because he expects the best.”

I nod and Enrico finally steps aside so I can head out to my car. “Thanks,” I tell him, looking over my shoulder as I wrap my hand around the doorknob. He nods once, then disappears into the Boss’ office.

An hour later, I have my back pressed against the brick building of the Hanson & Hanson accounting firm, peering around the corner while resting my hand on my gun. Everyone left thirty minutes ago, scurrying home to soak up the precious hours they have to themselves before they have to be back in the office.

I may not always enjoy the assignments Aurelio hands down to me, but I’m sure as fuck better off than the people working office jobs. The idea of pouring over meaningless spreadsheets and being a cog in the capitalist machine of industry makes my skin crawl. I feel like I’m suffocating just thinking about that life.

Not that my opinion on any of this matters. I’m sure these office workers would balk at my job and clutch their proverbial pearls while thanking the heavens they have a stable, mundane existence. To each their own, I suppose.

Shaking my head of those thoughts, I train my gaze on the back door to the building. I’m focused, clear-headed, and ready to execute the plan.

When I'm sure the coast is clear and the building is completely empty, I make my way toward the door, secured with a keypad. I enter the code, which I was able to discern after less than two hours on my first stakeout of the place. Not only are the numbers on the pad worn and faded from being pressed so many times, but some idiot straight-up shouted the passcode across the parking lot to his co-worker who apparently forgot.

I hear two beeps and then the door unlocks, allowing me a smooth entry into the dark building illuminated only by emergency exit signs. As I move down the hallway, my eyes adjust to the dim light and I get my lay of the land.

Passing by Mary’s office, I take a left, then continue forward toward the filing room where I’m a simple pick lock away from finally getting my hands on the file Aurelio needs. The closer I get, I realize a soft yellow glow from the room is pouring out into the hallway.

Shit.I thought everyone left. I remember watching the clock on the dashboard of my car switch from four fifty-nine to five o’clock. Less than five minutes later, people came flooding out, all too happy to go home. Dozens of employees. Everyone except…

No. It can’t be my redhead. I mean, notmyredhead. Not myanything. I was trying my damndest not to divert all of my attention on her this time so I could focus on my mission. I had absolutely no reason to believe she was caught up in all this. But now…

I crouch next to the open door, hiding in the shadows so I can observe what’s happening. Sure enough, I get a glimpse of bright red hair, followed by the soft hum of the sweetest voice I’ve ever heard. It’s a siren song. I’m sure of it. That’s why she’s been messing with my head. It’s beyond my control.

Ridiculous. Pathetic. Let go of the fascination and get your goddamn job done, I scold myself.

I peek around the door frame, my jaw nearly dropping at what I see. Little Miss Sunshiny Siren has the documents in question in her hands. I double-check the tab sticking up from the edge of the folder, and sure enough, it reads 30913-45.

What the fuck? Why… how… what?

Before I have time to process this new information, the curvy goddess shocks me yet again by slipping the entire folder into her large purse. I barely have time to scramble behind a giant potted palm tree of some kind before the woman turns off the small desk lamp she was using and leaves the room. She locks the door and walks right past me, still humming a song. I watchas her ponytail sways in time with her generous hips, both giving me the insane urge to grip her from behind and feel her soft, curvy body against my much harder one while her hair tickles my nose.

Jesus Christ. Follow her, you imbecile. Get the folder.

I have no idea why she took the sensitive information. I can’t picture her as an undercover agent for the dirty cops at the Las Vegas PD, but then again, she seems to be a blind spot in my otherwise impeccable performance and timeliness as an enforcer and trusted member of the Caparellis.

Keeping a safe distance behind her, I follow the woman out to the parking lot, thinking her vehicle must be parked out here somewhere. When she continues walking through the lot and onto the sidewalk, I frown. Sure, it’s only six in the evening, but the streets of Vegas are merciless. The sun is starting to set, and I don’t like the idea of her being out here on her own after dark. Or ever.

I get that same tight, painful tension in my chest as the first day I saw her. Something in me aches at the thought of any harm befalling the curvy angel. Or devil. I haven’t figured out her intentions yet. Still, I can’t deny the way she’s affecting me.

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