Page 26 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

He could’ve caught me one-handed, and he wouldn’t have broken a sweat. The more I think about it, the angrier I get.

Ethan shrugs, clearly unfazed. “You didn’t fall.”

I stand there, frozen, staring at the empty doorway like it might give me answers. The nerve.

“You—” My teeth clench, cutting off the string of sharp words threatening to tumble out. I take a deep breath, trying to calm the fire brewing inside me, but my hands are still balled into fists.

And then, without so much as a second glance, he glances at the arrangements I’ve spent hours perfecting, gives me one of thoselooks, and walks out of the kitchen.

“No, he didn’t!” I mutter under my breath, the frustration too much to contain.

Slamming the water bottle down on the counter, I march toward the doorway, but I stop myself just before stepping through.

What am I even going to say? That I’m angry because he was being an asshole?

I inhale deeply, forcing myself to turn back to the kitchen, but my pulse is racing. I don’t need his help. And I certainly don’t care what he thinks.

Liar.

Chapter Eight

Ethan

When biting my tongue doesn’t work, I slam the document in front of me close with a thud that’s loud enough to make Anthony pause his loud chewing.

“What?” he asks, completely andannoyinglyoblivious. “Did something happen?”

Yes.

Why did he bring Natalie over? I should’ve stayed at my house and had him come over, but I got a tip that Anthony had stayed out all night and partied with a bunch of people.

People he shouldn’t have been partying with.

Showing up unannounced was the only way to catch him in the act—if there was any act—and discuss something importantwith him.

Anthony figured out my plan the second he opened the door, but he said nothing about it, even though his breath reeked of alcohol and they’re were bottles in the living room.

I was surprised when he cleaned up almost immediately after I arrived, but I should’ve known there was another reason.

“Did you pay a visit to Royale?” I ask, ignoring his attempt to resume chewing without making a sound.

He holds up a hand and chucks the last bite of the apple into his mouth, chomps down quickly, and then grins.

“Done with that. Yup.” He nods. “You said so.”

“Okay?” I prompt, waiting for the rest of his report. The tip I got was from one of the enforcers I placed in the club’s management because I needed eyes and ears.

He informed me that the manager was using our products—products that were being distributed to high-end customers and people with steep political connections. I sent Anthony to confirm if the tip was true, but I got caught up with the party and then some business with finances over one of our bigger casinos.

Then, theotherparty where I saw Natalie… which took up most of my time afterward because I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Couldn’t stop thinking about her dress and the generosity of it—the gentle swell of her breasts, her hair, the glint in her eyes when she stood up for herself, and the invisible burn mark she left on my skin when she touched my wrist.

She was in my head. Buried deep.

And just when I thought I was finally getting over the mistake I made of having sex with Natalie—she showed up at the door. Nothing could’ve prepared me for seeing her.

It felt like a punch to the gut, and suddenly, I was back there, in the semi-darkness, with her hands around my neck and her thighssqueezing me close. I could remember her scent from that night—the smell of sex and desperation.

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