Page 35 of The Associate

“I’m sorry, Sir?” I look between him and Viv as they watch one another. There is a nervous tension coming from Viv and irritation coming from Sal.

“It’s a good idea. It will show Rico that he can’t always get what he wants and it will also show everyone here that you will progress into the role of boss should anything happen to me.” He glances over at the screen that displays his cameras watching people move around the house. “No one will be able to challenge you because everything that I own and built up will all go to my daughter and whoever she is married to.” He starts to walk towards his office door.

Does this also count if he’s murdered by said daughter?My mind jumping from thought to thought is making me dizzy.

“What the fuck is happening?” I whisper to Viv, before being interrupted by Sal’s booming voice again. The sudden voice causes me to sit up straight in my chair and face the front.

“So, Viper, I expect that tomorrow, you and Genevieve will go shopping for an engagement ring and spare no expense. I only want the best ring for my daughter.” He opens the door to his office, but, before walking out, he turns and looks at me with a serious expression. “Mason Hawthorne, you have my blessing to marry my daughter.”

My stomach flips around on itself as his words register in my mind.

With that comment, he walks out the door, leaving us sitting there. One of us with a look of shock on his face and one with the smuggest of smiles across hers.

This is about to get interesting, that I can be certain of.

Chapter 11

Genevieve

Well, I couldn’t have expected that to go any better than it did. Here I am thinking my father would throw a fit, see red and tell me I am stupid for even coming to him with this idea.

Seeing the look on Mason’s face was priceless. Even more so when my father agreed wholly that it would be a great idea. Marriages and engagements in the Underbelly are a huge deal. They can make or break families. Our family being the largest in the area, with Blackmere coming in a very close second, it’s the only reason that I can think of as to why Rico is trying to get to me, even after my father promised me to him when I was younger.

Knowing that I have the protection of one of the most dangerous Underbelly members is a reassuring comfort. Knowing he sees himself as a monster hurts my heart because I have never seen him that way.

Growing up, Mason was my knight in shining armour. When our mothers would spend the days drinking wine and whining about their boring lives, I would be in the yard playing tea parties and princesses with Mason.

In my heart, I know that he is still the same man he used to be back then. He is not the cold-blooded killer he makes himself out to be. I want to talk to him, to show him exactly how I feel, to replay that night my mother brought him up to our apartment ten years ago, but after what happened in the gym, he doesn’t even want to be anywhere near me. I know I pushed the boundaries pretty far, but now I am second-guessing whether I pushedtoofar.

“Fuuuck,” I let out a loud groan as I flop down onto my bed.

Mia lifts her head and looks at me. “I know girl, I know I fucked up.” Her head tilts to the side. “What do you want me to do? Go crawl to him and beg him to accept my apology?”

Mia lets out a huff.

“Yeah, you’re right, girl. He would love that way too much.” She puts her head back down on her paws and closes her eyes. I am tired and so is she, but before I close my eyes for the night, I crawl out of bed and open Mia’s crate. She looks up at me, her eyes wide and curious. I turn around and crawl back into bed again. I hear the movement of her feet on the carpet as she slowly makes her way over to me. Her wet nose presses against my hand. I pat the bed on the other side of me with my free hand. “Come on girl, up you come.”

She jumps up onto the bed, circling a few times before putting her head down on my shoulder. Within minutes, we are both asleep.

* * *

When you’re sound asleep, it really does feel like time has flown by within minutes. One minute I am curled up with Mia on the bed and the next I can sense the presence of someone watching over me.

I hear Mia on the floor chewing on something; whoever is standing over me is probably the person who also gave her one of her favorite treats: the pigs’ ears that are sitting by her crate. She will do anything for anyone if they give her one of those.

Without opening my eyes, I can already tell exactly who is standing over me, just watching. “Fuck off, sleeping,” I grumble.

“Doesn’t sound like you’re sleeping,” Mason says. “You know you’re so much more bearable when you’re asleep.”

I can hear the smile in his voice.

“And you would be so much more bearable if you weren’t breathing,” I bite back. “I can gladly arrange that for you, if you like?”

“As much as I would love to see you try.” His voice grows in volume like he’s leaning closer. “Who’s gonna help you with your plan?”

I open my right eye slightly to see him inches away from my face. “Careful being this close to me, you remember what happened last time?” My lip twitches with a smile.

“Well, we are soon to be engaged.” He air quotes the word engaged. “So maybe I should start spending more time here in your room, or maybe you would prefer mine?”

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