Page 10 of His Ruthless Obsession

"No?" His lips curve. "Then what is your style, Jasmine?"

"Maintaining professional boundaries." The words come out breathier than intended. "Which you're making difficult right now."

"Am I?" He traces a finger down my arm. "Tell me what you were thinking, watching me last night."

I swallow hard. The memory of him in action sends heat coursing through my veins - the fluid grace of his movements, the raw power barely contained beneath his tailored suit. "I was thinking you ruined a perfectly good opening night."

"Liar." He steps closer, backing me against his desk. "Your eyes gave you away. You couldn't stop staring."

"Maybe I was concerned for the safety of my workplace."

"Or maybe," his hand slides to my hip, "you liked seeing what I'm capable of."

God help me, I did. The way he commanded that room, how everyone froze when he spoke. I should be running far away from a man like this. Instead, I'm fighting the urge to grab his tie and pull him closer.

"You're playing a dangerous game." I manage to keep my voice steady despite my racing pulse.

"I don't play games, little dove." His fingers brush my cheek. "I take what I want."

"And what exactly do you want?" The question slips out before I can stop it.

He leans in, his lips ghosting over my ear. "To make you forget every reason you've given yourself for staying away."

5

NERIO

Iloathed leaving Jazz again. Not when she was letting me touch her, looking like she might actually give in to me.

But when she stumbled back at my too honest answer — the fear and excitement in her eyes that I love to see — I let her go. This is all part of the thrill, and I'm okay dragging it out a little longer.

Two days later, though, as I drum my fingers against the mahogany conference table I find my patience is waning. The private room at Carmine's steakhouse provides the perfect cover — legitimate enough to avoid suspicion, exclusive enough to keep prying eyes away.

"The Mantiones crossed another line last night. Two of our delivery trucks hijacked, drivers beaten." I lock eyes with Marco, my most experienced enforcer. "Found them zip-tied in an alley off Michigan Avenue."

"Fucking animals." Tony leans forward, jaw clenched. "We should hit back hard. Send a message."

"And start an all-out war?" I shake my head. "Lorenzo wants this handled with precision. We're not the Mantiones - we don'tleave messy trails. Or make other families think that we will act in such a manner."

"What's our play then, boss?" Ray asks, cigarette dangling from his lips.

I stand, pacing the length of the table. "First, we fortify our routes. Increase security on all shipments. Marco, I want your best guys rotating shifts."

"Done."

"Second, we need eyes on their operation. Tony, reach out to your contact at the docks. Find out which warehouses they're using to store our merchandise."

"They've been careful lately," Tony says. "Moving locations every few days."

"Then we'll be more careful." I plant my hands on the table, leaning forward. "Ray, put your street kids to work. I want every Mantione movement tracked. Pay them well, but keep them at arm's length."

"What about their new enforcer?" Marco asks. "Guy's been recruiting heavily the past month."

"Leave him to me." I straighten up, adjusting my suit jacket. "Focus on intelligence gathering. No retaliation without my direct order. Anyone steps out of line, they answer to me personally. Clear?"

A chorus of "Yes, boss" echoes around the table.

"One more thing." I pause, making sure I have their complete attention. "Double check your circles. Someone's feeding them information about our routes. Find the leak."

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