Page 20 of Surprise Baby for the Don

I also need my guys on the ground to step up and take a little more responsibility to get the situation sorted. The store needs the shipment as there are people in that community who are relying on it. My line of work may get a bad rep, but at the very least I could do a solid for the people that the government won’t give a shit about.

I finish a call and look over at Rocco, who’s just come in and is sitting across from me, his brow furrowed. He’s not looking his best today, a bit pale and tired.

“Go home, Rocco,” I tell him quietly, waving him away. “You’re working too hard. I’ve got this handled.”

He gives me a look like he might argue, but I raise a brow, making it clear that I don’t intend to discuss it. He finally nods, getting to his feet with a weary sigh.

“All right, boss,” he answers reluctantly. “You’ll call me if anything else comes up?”

“Will do,” I promise, watching him leave. I know Rocco, and this isn’t like him. He’s never sick, and I don’t like seeing him like this. I think back to our conversation about his retirement, and I realize that his health isn’t what it once was. I’m worried about him.

Before I can dwell on it too much, though, there’s a knock at the door. I look up and see Ginny standing there, buzzing with excitement. She can barely stand still. I feel an involuntary thrill as she steps in, her eyes flicking around the room before they settle on me.

“Good afternoon, Ginny,” I say, standing to greet her. The sight of her lifts my mood instantly, the day’s stress sliding off my shoulders. “Come on in.”

She steps into the office, her gaze catching on a few changes around the room.

“The renovations are coming along well,” she tells me, sounding proud. “It’s looking like a whole new house!”

I nod, gesturing for her to take a seat.

“Hopefully you’ve got everything you need. If you don’t, you simply have to ask,” I remind her, enjoying the way she blushes under my gaze. “Manpower, supplies, any of it. And I agree, from what I’ve seen so far, it’s looking great.”

She sits across from me, a small smile on her face.

“You’ve already given me so much,” she gushes. “The workers you’ve sent in have been a dream. At this rate, we’ll be finishing up by the middle of next week.”

“Well, it’s like I said, there are plenty of opportunities you can have if you’d like them. You’ve done great on this project.”

“I’m glad you’re happy with it,” she says in a quiet voice.

“And hey, feel free to slow down,” I reply, meeting her gaze. “There’s nothing wrong with taking your time. Being thorough.” I pause, letting a hint of a smile show.

She arches a brow, clearly picking up on the double entendre, and slowly grins at me.

“Well, if that’s what you want, I wouldn’t want to disappoint you,” she says, and I could swear there’s a note of seduction in her voice.

I shrug, leaning back in my chair, letting the silence stretch between us for a moment before I respond.

“You couldn’t disappoint me if you tried,” I tell her earnestly.

Unlike her father, she’s exactly who she says she is. She keeps her word and her skills are in alignment with her promises. I did admittedly take a chance on her knowing that she was slightly inexperienced, but she’s proven her talent and her willingness to work hard.

She holds my gaze, a flicker of amusement or intrigue dancing in her eyes. For a moment, it feels like we’re both skirting around what’s really going on here, the unspoken sexual tension that’s been building since the moment we met. But she doesn’t say anything, and neither do I.

“Anyway,” she says with a small cough. “You told me to come here today to get paid.”

She shrugs awkwardly as if she’s embarrassed to ask for what’s hers. Meanwhile, her father would be salivating if he knew that he would be receiving a large amount of cash. The more she shows me how different she is from Rex, the more I like her. Her humility is refreshing in this industry.

I reach for the small, locked drawer in my desk, opening it with a key I keep on me at all times. From inside, I pull out a thick leather binder, setting it on the desk. Ginny’s eyes widen slightly as I open it, revealing a small stack of cash bound with a slim rubber band. I take it out and hold it out to her.

“Your payment,” I say, watching her reaction.

She stares at the money, clearly taken aback.

“You weren’t kidding,” she murmurs quietly, clearly not intending for me to hear her. Then she looks up and speaks a little louder. “Mateo, really, this is far too much! I couldn’tpossibly accept it.”

“Don’t be so humble,” I reply, waving off her concern. “There’s a lot more to come. You’ve earned every penny of it.”

---