Page 2 of Vengeful Reign

“Forgive me. It’s just that I’m acquainted with the man that left.” That doesn’t sit well with me.

“Which one?” I ask, already knowing the answer after that brief exchange.

“Um…Massimo Fieri,” she admits with a stammer, looking at her shoes.

“Why would he put you on edge?” She bites down on her bottom lip again, ready to gnaw it off. “Don’t lie to me. Your job depends on the truth.”

“Because she’s been trying to deny our relationship. Right, Amore?” he says, stepping off the elevator.

I turn back to him and glare. “In my office now, Fieri.”

He slides up to her side, cupping her elbow. “Molly, you try to run, and I won’t let you get far.” I watch as he makes his seductive threat, seeing my capable assistant try to fight the attraction that she obviously wants to deny.

He winks at her before following me into my office. The second the door is closed, I move to stand behind my desk. “You brought your woman in to spy on my company?” I questioned.

“Hardly. I only noticed her recently. My dealings with Molly have nothing to do with you or any of your matters. Rest assured, you’ll be looking for a new assistant soon.”

“She’s not interested in you,” I antagonize him.

“How long has it been for you? Molly is more than interested. She’s just scared because she knows who I am and what I do.” That’s obvious.

“Your relationship is a conflict of interest for me.”

“That’s easy. She quits. Excuse me.” He smirks and walks out to the lobby and directly to Molly. “Amore, grab your purse and coat.”

“I’m not going with you,” she huffs, crossing her arms.

“I’m afraid you are. You’ve just been fired. That night you spent with my dick wrapped in those pouty lips just cost you your job. Sorry.” He doesn’t sound the least bit sorry or conflicted about costing her job. In fact, his words and posture scream control and pride.

“Put me down,” she squeals. I watch from my office door as he flips her over his shoulder.

I’m grateful that the sound echoes from her desk because I don’t miss an ounce of their discussion. “The second you agree to behave.”

“I’ll behave.” He slides her down his shoulder, and they leave the building. I almost feel bad about losing her, but I can’t have my rival’s woman as my administrative assistant. There’s just too much shit on the line.

As I slip back into my office, I remember that my brother called. I dial up Ian’s number and wait for him to answer. “Jack, hey, are you in your office or at home?”

“At the office. Why?” I’m here most days, so I’m not sure why he’d ask, but then again, he wouldn’t call me for no reason either.

“I got a strange feeling when I left the compound this morning. It’s been bothering me, and I just landed in Phoenix.” The tension laced in his voice bothers me. It screams trouble, and I don’t care for it.

My brows lift as I tilt back in my black leather chair, staring at the small picture frame on my desk. “What do you mean, a bad feeling?”

“It was too quiet.”

“It’s always quiet unless we’re visiting John,” I teased. Our youngest brother, who is only five, has been known to havemassive tantrums. He’s an adorable little guy with wavy brown hair and light brown eyes. Although you couldn’t tell by looking at them because he’d never look you in the eye. It’s one of the many quirks he has.

“I’ll call over there shortly. Connor is in a meeting with my dealers at the docks this morning, so the compound should be low key.” It’s the way I preferred it. With my hands in so many pots, I didn’t have time to borrow problems, so if the MacNamara estate remained peaceful, I was happy fucker.

“I’m talking about the guards as well.” A knot forms in my gut. “They weren’t around no matter where I went except at the front gate.”

My brother isn’t prone to panic or concern, so the hairs on the back of my neck raise at his words. His fears become mine, even though I refuse to show it. It’s my job to remain in control and tough, showing no signs of weakness.

“I promise that I’ll look into your concerns, Brother.”

“Thank you. I worry about John.” We all worry about him, me more than anyone, but pulling him from my father’s grasp was harder than it looked. I didn’t have the time to raise a young boy who was mentally slow and required a lot of care. I didn’t even have time to find a wife. Fuck, maybe I should have taken the arranged marriage offer all those years ago. Then I would have had someone to watch John.

“Have you seen him today?” I asked my little brother.

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