Page 126 of An Indecent Longing

Ben’s head snapped toward his cousin. Ian had spoken so calmly, Ben almost didn’t believe the words had come from his cousin.

Antonoff didn’t look surprised. He also didn’t look encouraging. He reminded Ben of a lion, regal and bored. Of course, that lion would rip your face off in a heartbeat.

“And how do you see this working, Mr. Shaw?”

Ben felt like he was at a tennis match as his gaze shot back to Ian, who stared at Antonoff with the same, calm expression. “We’ll accompany to your meeting with Tosto. I want to make it clear that, if anything should happen to her, we will make him pay for it.”

Was Antonoff actually trying not to smile? “And what makes you think he’ll be more worried about you than he is about me?”

“The man obviously thinks he’s on your level. This is business for him. For us, it’s personal.”

Any hint of a smile vanished from Antonoff’s face. “And what makes you think I don’t value my daughter’s life more than my business?”

Ben had the almost overwhelming urge to tell Ian to tread carefully, even though he knew Ian already realized that. But Ian was nothing if not careful.

“I don’t. But if we’re going to have a relationship with Dorrie, Tosto needs to know we’re willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”

“And are you? Willing to do whatever it takes?”

Ben cut in, knowing he needed to add his voice to Ian’s, not just be along for the ride. “Yes, we are.”

Antonoff went silent, his gaze cutting between Ian and Ben. Ben had a few seconds to wonder if the guy was thinking about making them disappear along with Tosto, considering Ian had just told Dorrie’s father they were both dating her. And sleeping with her.

Shit, this is gonna get ugly fast.

But they’d come this far and they weren’t going to back down now. First, they dealt with her father. Then they deal with the threat.

And then…

Then they dealt with Dorrie.

Which would make the first two seem easy.

“Because I love my daughter, I’m willing to make certain concessions,” Antonoff finally said. “I’ll allow you to accompany me to this meeting but you will not interfere and you’ll do exactly as you’re told.”

Ben bristled at the Antonoff’s tone. The guy spoke like they were children. Or working for him. But he kept his mouth shut.

Amazingly, so did Ian, except to say, “We accept.”

Now, Antonoff actually did smile.

And Ben thought that might actually be scarier than if he’d told them he was going to hang them up by their balls.

“Then I’ll call you to let you know when we’ll meet with Mr. Tosto. Be read to move. I won’t wait for you.”

Ben nodded, holding back a relieved sigh as he and Ian stood.

“We’ll be there,” Ian said.

Then they walked out.

And Ben felt like they’d narrowly avoided a run-in with quicksand.

* * * * *

Early Thursday evening, Dorrie grit her teeth and listened to the mother of a little boy with a broken arm tell her he’d fallen off the swings at the playground.

Except the break wasn’t consistent with a fall.

---