Page 9 of Owned By the Mob Boss
Maintaining my empire means no emotion. No weakness. But this woman is working her way under my skin, breaking down the defenses I’ve spent a lifetime building.
Watching her take a bite of my eggs causes my pants to tighten. But then a cold rush of shame hits me like a fist.
She’s only here because her father sold her to you…
If I gave her the chance, would she up and leave me right now? The thought is too much to bear.
I stand up and move toward the counter to grab some coffee, and as I do, my arm brushes against hers. It’s like an electric spark between us.
Keep moving. That’s all I can do. Because if I stop, I’m going to pounce. And I can’t take her. Not against her will.
She has to want it.
“Dress looks good on you,” I say casually, pouring us both a cup.
“You picked it.”
“Yeah, well I shouldn’t have,” I confess, shaking my head as I sit back down. The smooth lines of her thigh have me clenching my fist in restraint.
“Why not?”
Because now I can’t breathe when I look at you.
That’s what I want to say, but I keep my damn mouth shut and just shake my head. I’ve got to keep it together.
“Your mom must be worried,” I say, shifting the conversation. But Isabella just shakes her head and looks away.
Instantly I can see I struck a nerve.
“I don’t know my mom.”
Christ, now I’ve gone and upset her. I’m fumbling all over myself trying to make this girl happy. Maybe I just don’t deserve her.
Maybe I should let her go.
But the thought of sending her back to live with Seth, that degenerate gambler, sickens me. He can’t protect her like I can. And if something happened to her…well my life would be over.
“Sorry,” I say. “I didn’t mean to—”
“No, it’s okay.” She smiles up at me, pouring fuel on the fire burning in my heart. “From what Dad tells me, she left after I was born. I was raised by formula and wet nurses.”
I shake my head. It’s all I can do.
“You know, we’re a lot alike,” I tell her.
“Oh? How’s that?”
I open my mouth, ready to pour my heart out to her—tell her all about my terrible childhood and how it made me into the man I am today. But before I can, Anton enters the room.
“Boss, we’ve got a problem.”
Goddamn it.
I stop myself from slamming my fist against the counter.Don’t scare her. She’s safe here.
Taking a deep breath, I level my gaze at my number one. “I’m busy. Can it wait?”
He shakes his head but keeps his mouth shut. Must be important.
