Page 40 of Brutal Obsession

Usually, I don’t mind. I’m a pretty easygoing guy, and Finn has my complete confidence in his ability to lead once his father steps down. But where it concerns Harper, I’m just as stubborn as he is about Riley.

“Your job is to grab Harper and get out of there,” Finn reminds me. “We’llhandle Enzo.”

“You’ve got a lock on his location?”

“Rory tracked him as far as Albany.”

“Albany?”

I spent weeks after Harper disappeared sussing out the real estate holdings of the De Luca family. They may not have the best luck in the world—they’re definitely piss-poor when it comes to fine leadership—but they own a lot of property in New York state and elsewhere around the country.

“Yeah. Why?”

“They have three properties there, if I remember correctly.”

“I know. Rory went over your notes in their file.”

Talking about work and the ongoing fight we’re waging against our enemies has strangled all the lust out of my system. Nothing could be more un-sexy than this subject.

“One last thing.” Shuffling comes from Finn’s end of the line. It sounds like he’s changing rooms. When the noise stops, I can’t hear voices anymore, and I’m pretty sure Finn’s alone. And damn, I pray he is once I hear the next words out of his mouth. “When you find Harper, control yourself.”

A strange wave of intensity sweeps over me.The expression on my face as I peer into the mirror hanging in this miniature library reflects a mixture of discomfort and horror.

When I reply, I intend to hedge and say whatever I need to say to get off this phone ASAP.

Unfortunately, my mouth has other ideas. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“For fuck’s sake, don’t make me say it.”

“Saywhat?”

If Finn were here, why do I suspect I’d be a few seconds from punching him out?

“Don’t let your jones for Harper get in the way of completing your assignment.”

His statement slams into my chest with bullet-like force. I would know, since I’ve been shot on multiple occasions. The impact almost collapses me into the nearest chair.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lie. “And when have I ever let some random chick get in the way of my job?”

“Never. But we both know Harper isn’t some random chick to you. She hasn’t been since that night at the club.”

Another bullet hole pierces my fucking body. “Has my loyalty to this familyeverwavered over a woman?”

“No.”

“So why the fuck are you warning me?”

“Because you’re into her. You want her. Hell, you may have even fallen for her.”

This time, Idofall into the nearest chair. A carnival of chaos unfolds inside my chest.

Just why the helldid Finn have to go and saythat?

“I haven’t fallen for her. I don’t love anyone, not like that.” The words are acid on my tongue.

“Everyone loves like that.”

I picture my mom and dad and shudder. “Not me.”

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