Page 27 of Ruthless Boss

15

Dante

"Any news?" I ask Andrei when he walks into my home office.

After last night, I decided to work from home until my afternoon meeting. This morning, Lucia talked to me quickly as she took AJ to the backyard. I know she's playing it safe, and I should be doing the same. I should go to the warehouse to be far from her, far from temptation. Easier that way—but my stubborn brain isn't doing easy today.

I drink my cup of espresso and sit it on my desk.

Andrei has been talking to an informant on the Santinis turf. Months have gone by since Ross Santini was seen in Chicago. His operations are small enough that he can play this annoying game of hide and seek. He lost his only son, thanks to me, and his daughter is off in a boarding school out of the country. I've looked into that—hurting this innocent woman isn't my goal, but we could kidnap her to get Ross to show up. But the grounds of her school are nothing short of a fortress, so we decided to focus on local operations.

"Nothing, boss," Andrei says, shaking his bald head. "I sent two different men who are new and unknown in the area to see if they could get any news on Santini's whereabouts, but no luck. They're running a tight ship."

I drum my fingers on the desk. "That fucking sucks."

Being a small operation family doesn't put them as at risk as we do. We're prominently known in Chicago and have much to lose in comparison—our main weakness. Most people wouldn't dare cross us, which is why Santini went into hiding.

I exhale.

"Sooner or later, they'll show up," Andrei says.

"I know they will," I say. "You can go."

Andrei nods, turns around, and leaves the spacious office. I scan the area, the dark leather sofas, the expensive paintings, and the sleek furnishings. This is my home—and I'm not scared to go out there and spend whatever time I need out of it. But it's different when I think of AJ. Even with guards escorting her everywhere, she's fragile.

What will happen when she's older?

A soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. "Yeah?"

"It's me," Lucia says, and before I authorize her, she pops her head in and enters my office. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure."

She walks toward me, her fingers curled into a ball. She's carrying something in her fist. "I need your help." Instead of sitting, she goes around the desk, prompting me to stand. The moment she invades my personal spatial bubble, I catch a whiff of her feminine, clean scent.

Memories from last night unfurl in my mind. Damn it. Having sex with her is better than it should be—it's not just scratching an itch. It's a vibrant, exciting experience that stays with me long after it's done. A different kind of sensation moves through my chest, one I don't want to think too much about unless I want to experience another novelty for me—fear.

"What is it?"

She opens her hand, showing the necklace on her palm. I've always seen it around her neck—even when we make love.

I mentally punch myself. Not love. Even when I railed her. That's more accurate.

"The clasp broke a few minutes ago. I always have it with me, and I was wondering if you could have someone take it to a place and repair it."

"Is it that important?" I tilt my head to observe her expression. "Was it from an ex-boyfriend?" I ask, squinting. I know her last relationship was a shitshow, and the guy was a dud, but that doesn't mean she didn't have other relationships before.

The idea of a man making her happy—giving her jewelry that she wears religiously and gets so worried twists a knot of jealousy in my stomach. I feel like crushing the fucking necklace if that's the case. I won't let her walk around wearing a jewel someone else gave her.

She flushes, then takes a step back and chuckles. "My mom gave it to me."

A ridiculously large measure of relief calms my aching heart. That's right. She told me her mom passed away. I remember that conversation. I take it from her hand with care to show her I'll keep it safe. "I'll return it to you in a couple of hours."

"Wow. I didn't know it could be done so fast."

I flash her a smug smile. "It is when I'm the one demanding."

She winks at me. "Must be nice."

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