Page 7 of Mob Boss's Second Chance

And yet, the evidence is right in front of me—laughter and smiles shared so easily, as though she’s been part oftheir world all along.

Somehow, someway, she’s managed to charm my men without lifting a finger, without even trying.

My jaw tightens, and my eyes narrow as I watch the interaction unfold. Every movement, every word, every expression is under my scrutiny. I’m searching for something, anything, that might give me a clue.

What is it about her?

Her disarming presence and the way they lean in when she speaks, like her words, carry a weight I can’t hear—it all feels calculated.

There has to be something else to this. The longer I watch, the more frustrated I get because it all seems harmless on the surface.

My phone rings, and the noise pulls Sebastian to alertness, and he glances in my direction, straight through the window.

He nods when he sees me, but I sweep the drapes close, annoyed that I forgot composure long enough to lose my focus.

I should be looking into Paradise Bluff and the club, not watching some woman workmymen around her finger. Grunting, I stride out of my study, shutting the door behind me with an audible slam.

I plan to keep an eye on her—Natalie Monroe. But in the meantime, I have more important things to worry about.

Chapter Three

Natalie

Ishould’ve gotten a leash or something.

“Danielle,” I groan, rolling my eyes for the umpteenth time as I yank her shirt. “You’re not going to get both of us thrown out.”

She gives me a pout, but I refuse to let go. Then she sighs, folding her arms loosely. “I wasn’t going to do anything.”

“Right,” I say dryly. “You weren’t going to sneak into the house and pretend like you’re lost so that you can run into Ethan Cross?”

“No?” She feigns nonchalance, biting her lip.

I arch my brow, letting her know I’m not buying the act. It takes a minute, but she ‘fesses up, throwing her hands in the air. “Fine. But it’s not like I plan to steal his shirt or anything. I’m not a crazy, deranged fan. I just want to see him up close.”

Heavens.

It’s not yet noon, and I already have a migraine.

It’s the day before the party and also a Saturday, so Danielle decided to come along. I needed the help—it felt better working with someone who could read my mind—but I regretted it as soon as she got into the car and announced that she was getting Ethan Cross’ autograph.

Too bad I couldn’t drag her out of my car.

Letting go of her shirt, I hand her my list. “Here. I want you to see if everything on the list has been delivered and set up. If it hasn’t been set up, you make a single asterisk. If you can’t find it, you should note it down.”

She sighs, dropping her arms like a petulant baby. “Why? You have a whole crew working for you. I’m sure someone else can handle this.”

I step to the side as she waves the event schedule because I’m not about to get hit in the head. When she’s done with her whining, I thrust my hands on my hips, pinning her with a stare.

“You’re not going to meet or run into Ethan Cross. Like I said, he’s out of the country. Unless you’re looking for the cousin, and he’s a certified playboy, so you don’t have any hopes there.”

Even though I mention not “having any hopes,” I see the bulb that goes on in Danielle’s head. It doesn’t matter to her that Anthony Cross is a playboy either, because Danielle’s version of falling in love is temporary and ever-changing.

I’m quick to shut it down, though, wagging my finger in her face. “No… nope. You’re not doing that. He’s the one who hired me. If you stalk Anthony Cross, I’ll tell the valet you snuck in.”

Danielle gasps, her eyes widening in disbelief. “You wouldn’t.”

My lips curl into a smug smirk, the perfect picture of nonchalance, as I shrug. “Try me. You either help me out as a good best friend would, or you lose your only chance of meeting either of the Cross cousins in thelegitimateway.”

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