Page 112 of Unlawful Seduction

He threw up his arms, his face immediately turning red. “I’m sorry,” he choked. “So sorry.”

I dug my fingers into his skin. “Fine. If something is going on, I want to know about it. And get this. You’re going to figure out exactly what the hell is going down in the Big Apple.”

He coughed several times until I finally released my hold. When he acted as if I’d hurt his feelings, I gave him a stern look.

“Of course. When I get back, Beckett, I’ll obtain all the details. I’ll make it right.”

Right. I seriously doubted I’d determined what was right about any of this.

“You do that. Just keep Mallory’s name out of everything. She’s nobody to you. Got it?”

“Yeah, I got it. So you’re aware, I kept your story clean for her in hopes she’d accept the money like you asked, but from what I learned about her, she won’t like it if she learns just how far you went in your capacity as Underboss. I just don’t think she’d appreciate hearing the details. Now, do you?”

Underboss. Just a steppingstone to Lucian’s position, I’d been told more than once. It struck me at that moment the man sitting in front of me was jealous of what he perceived to be my ultimate success.

I found it strangely amusing since he’d been there through thick and thin, even encouraging me to find my true self after my betrayal of the Valenti family. Now that I’d done that, I sensed his discord. Perhaps he believed money would no longer be funneled in his direction any longer.

Whatever the case, I’d learned a long time ago the only person I could place one hundred percent trust in was myself. “I’m going to offer you a piece of advice, Mike. Take it or leave it. Doctor McGregor is off limits to you, your services, or your words of wisdom. She’s a special lady, but tougher than you think. She’ll eat you for breakfast if you dare try and interfere with her life. What I’ll do at that point you’ll never recover from. Am I clear?”

He snorted after attempting to stare me down. “I’ll heed your advice. Just remember that your past always finds you. That’s something to keep in mind, Beckett.”

“I do and I will, but there’s no one left to interfere.” Another test was tossed out like cookie crumbs. His expression softened.

“I hope you’re right. I have the details about the construction firm you want to purchase including the latest financials for you to look over. No red flags. Just a hard-working enterprise with good employees. Nothing like anything I ever thought you’d want to be involved in.”

“Yeah, well, perhaps you don’t know me as well as you think you do. I’ll read over the information when I get back to my room tonight. Tomorrow if all goes well, I’ll instruct you to make an offer.”

“Hot date?”

I was becoming more irritated by the minute. “Meeting my son.”

“Wow. She did change her mind.”

“Yeah, well, the lady is cautious. For tonight, I’m just a friend.”

“Mmm… How interesting.”

I glanced at my watch. “I should get going.”

“You’re really into her.” He powered back his drink, pulling out his wallet. The incredulous look remained on his face.

“Yeah, Mike. I am. What about it?”

“I don’t know, buddy. There’s talk about someone taking over the Valenti territory.”

An immediate red flag drifted into the forefront of my mind. “What are you suggesting?”

He shrugged. “Just something else for you to consider.”

“I’m no gangster, Mike.”

He lifted his head. “You sure about that?”

Fuck the man. If he didn’t heed my warning, he would learn how enraged I remained. “I’m finished with that life. You know it. Get it through your goddamn head.”

He shrugged and pulled out two twenties. “A shame. You could have everything you worked so hard to achieve. Including the woman if you wanted. There’s nothing in the rulebook that says you can’t take the wife you want.”

“That would be like selling my soul and guess what? Neither Mallory nor I are for sale. Get that out of your fucking mind. You got it?”

---