Page 5 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

And that’s why I was annoyed.

Not because of her but because it was inexplicable. It was irrational. It was a distraction I didn’t need—a feeling I didn’t want to name.

“You don’t like her?” Anthony asks, bracing his hands on the desk. His blue eyes search my face like he’s looking for something. “Does she remind you of someone?”

My brows furrow. “What are you talking about?”

He shrugs, although something flashes across his eyes. “Nothing. I like her, though. She’s pretty, smart, and good at her job. Besides, she didn’t snoop around, so she’s not going to accidentally uncover some grave secret and send us scurrying underground.”

I purse my lips in distaste. “You know what happened the last time one of yourfriendsgot too close. I don’t need to remind you how much we paid her to go away.”

“I know, I know.” He sighs unrepentantly. “And that’s why I haven’t brought anyone home since then. That’s also why I moved houses; you wanted to keep an eye on me.”

True. I had to pull him from his apartment to my other house in Allentown.

Thefriendhe picked up from a club turned out to be turning tricks for a rival organization. She drugged Anthony, had enough time to search his house, and was getting away with trade secrets when one of my men pulled into his apartment building.

She spooked, thinking he made her, and tried to run. He realized something was wrong, brought her in… and the rest is history.

Anthony taps the desk. “I’ll keep an eye on her, okay? I already have someone on the crew reporting back to me, so if she does something suspicious, I’ll let her go. You don’thave to worry.”

I’m far from convinced, but it’ll do for now. “Okay.”

He drags the chair back noisily, the sound grating against the quiet stillness of the room as he stands. Stretching his arms above his head, he lets out a low groan, his movements lazy but deliberate.

“I came in to check on you,” he says, his voice tinged with fatigue, “but the dark is clouding my brain.” He clicks his tongue in exaggerated disapproval, his tone half-joking, half-serious. “I don’t know how you stay here for hours on end without going crazy. I’d lose it.”

His gaze flicks toward me briefly as if expecting some kind of reaction, but when none comes, he shrugs lightly.

Then, without another word, he turns on his heels and heads for the door, not waiting for a response.Not that there’s any.

I prefer the dark and quiet. Dealing with humans is a hassle, but I do it almost every day because I have to run a company that requires fine handling and secrecy.

“Anthony?” I call out as he opens the door.

He looks over his shoulder with a lazy smile. “Got something for me?”

“Paradise Bluff.”

“Oh.” His expression shifts, the lightness in his demeanor giving way to something more serious. “That. I paid them a visit yesterday. There was a hitch in getting the supplies because someone on their end made a mistake, but I got it straightened out.” He grins confidently, leaning against the doorframe. “You don’t have to worry. I got this.”

Again, I doubt that.

“I need you to pay a visit to Luna Royale,” I say, referring to one of the clubs we own. My tone is sharp, leaving no room for misinterpretation. “I got a tip that the handler might be using our products. If it’strue—”

“Bang.” Anthony interrupts, making a shooting gesture with his fingers and adding a sound effect for emphasis. His grin widens like he’s already imagining the confrontation.

I close my eyes briefly, sighing as I press my fingers to my forehead. “No,” I say firmly, my voice laced with exasperation. “I don’t need you to deal with him. If it’s true, you can report it to me. I’ll handle it.”

His grin falters for a moment, replaced by a hint of frustration, but he doesn’t push back. “Fine,” he mutters, raising his hands in mock surrender. “You’re the boss.”

“I never said so,” I reply evenly, my gaze locking with his. “But I’d prefer to handle it myself.”

Anthony nods, the tension breaking as his usual bravado resurfaces. “Understood, boss.”

I watch him turn and leave, but an uneasy feeling replaces his absence—not for Anthony but for the other two. The finance report on my screen has enough holes in it to show that someone has been skimming money and now might be dipping into the product.

While I pride myself on hiring people who follow instructions to the letter, I’ve had situations with a couple of misfits. It’s never good when one person goes out of line because some others will follow, and I can’t afford to find replacements right now.

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