Page 43 of His to Possess

“Please.” I’m getting really impatient with his games and superior attitude.

“Here’s the deal. I want to eliminate the Rossi family and take their place as part of the ruling Five Families.”

Oh, no.My heart falls.

“They’re clearly the ones running things and that should be me. That won’t happen, though, unless they’re out of the picture.” He leans his hefty body against the side of his desk and it groans beneath his weight as he eyes me closely. Shrewdly. “I propose that you come work for me.”

Ha.Fat chance that would ever happen. I’d never work for this arrogant jerk, but I pretend to consider his offer.

“Your first order of business is to help me ascend to the Five Families throne.” He lifts his glass, ready to toast me. “What doyou say? Are you ready to make an obscene amount of money, Ms. Serrano, and come work for the new king of New York City?”

Okay, I’ve had enough. Ignoring his outstretched glass, I set my drink on the edge of his desk with a thunk and cross my arms. “I want you to take our names off that list. If it’s all just a test then end it before one of us is really hurt or killed.”

“I’m the one who decides how things play out around here which means I’m theonlyone making the decisions. Is that understood?”

“I don’t work for you. Nor do I have any interest to,” I inform him boldly. I’m tired of this asshole. I place my palms flat on the desk and narrow my eyes. “Take our names off that list or things are not going to end well…for you.”

At first he looks stunned that I would talk back to him and dismiss his offer. Then his eyes light up in a weird, twisted sort of way. “How about I only take your name off?”

“What?” I just blink, not sure how else to respond.Why only me?I wonder.

“Why would you care, anyway?” His gaze narrows astutely and I hate the way he seems to be looking right into my head. Like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. It’s damn disconcerting.

“I don’t,” I respond, trying to sound dismissive and unbothered. But, it’s too late. He’s already seen the flash of concern in my eyes.

“See, I think you’re lying to me and that you care more for Angelo Rossi than you’re admitting.”

Goddamn it.My fingers curl back into my palms, digging into the skin there. Am I that transparent? I tried so hard not to beand I think I just failed Angelo.Oh, God.I can’t let my mistake cost him his life. I would never forgive myself.

“Here’s my proposition and you can take it or leave it. You do one job for me and I’ll remove both of your names from the Kill List. I think that’s fair, don’t you?”

I may not trust this man, but he has my attention. “One job?” I echo. “That’s it?”

“One job,” he repeats. “Easy, right?”

“I don’t know,” I say carefully. Though, at this point, I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save Angelo. “What’s the job?”

“Assassinate Miceli Rossi.”

I suck in a sharp breath. “What?”

And then he launches his strike, hitting me in the heart and gut with the force of a thousand bullets. “Kill Miceli or Angelo dies. Your choice.”

No, this can’t be happening. That’s an impossible choice. I’m so stunned that it takes me a moment to gather my spinning thoughts.

“You do realize that I’m a bounty hunter, not an assassin, right?”

“I don’t care what you call yourself, little girl. You’re good with a gun and have the ability to get close to the target because you’ve established some kind of relationship with his younger brother.”

My worst nightmare is coming true. I vowed to protect Angelo, but if I hurt Miceli, he would never forgive me. Besides, I don’t kill people. I only hunt them down and turn them over. Bad people, too. Miceli has done nothing but try to help us.

Oh, God, how is this happening? I feel trapped in the corner. There’s absolutely know way I can let Angelo get hurt because the truth is I’m falling in love with him. I can’t let Gallo see that, though.

“If I take out Miceli, I want your word that you will never bother me or the Rossi family again.”

His mouth curls up in an evil-looking smirk. “Deal.”

I know he’s lying to me. He looks too smug and I can’t trust him. I’m going to need to figure out how to take care of this situation myself…and fast.

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