Page 26 of Claimed By the Mobster
“What is it?” I shout.
There’s a pause.
“Your son has been kidnapped.”
9
ANWYN
Ben listens, pale faced, as George explains what has happened, to the best of his knowledge. The details are scant. Tom was spending a couple of days camping with a friend, and it was only when he didn’t arrive back as scheduled that George realised something was up.
Then the message from the Bratva arrived. Moments later, a tip-off the same as the one that had alerted Ben to my being at risk.
“Bring the girlwere definitely his exact words?” Ben asks again.
George nods soberly.
“It’s a trap.” Ben paces around the office like a caged panther.
“Obviously,” George concurs.
“In what way?” I’m standing awkwardly to the side, next to the desk where Ben took my virginity not that long ago. We both threw on clothes in record time.
Nothing like realising someone might die to kill the warm afterglow. Pun not intended. Mostly.
“He knows you’re my priority. But he’s got my son. Get you both together, he has you both at risk, and me off-balance.” Ben scowls at the floor as though if he’s scary enough he’ll terrify physical structures to rise up and do his bidding.
“It’s going to be okay.” I catch his hand as he passes me.
“For you, yes.” He stops and strokes his knuckles over my cheek. “You won’t be in danger.”
“I’m not being left here.” Whatever is happening, I’ll be at Ben’s side.
“You’re staying here.” His voice is steel.
“One, last time I was home without you I was kidnapped. Two, telling me to stay put doesn’t turn out how you think it will. And three, I’ve got skin in this game. If my future husband and my ex-boyfriend are doing something important, you better believe I’m going to be there.”
Ben grabs my hand and jerks me abruptly into his arms. A sense of calm envelops me as he presses his forearm into my back and a kiss to the top of my head. I breathe in his scent. Spicy and masculine, as well as musky. He smells like dark sex and warm pine forest breezes.
“Putting you in danger isn’t worth it,” Ben mutters. “I should just leave Tom to it.”
“No way.” And though I’m speaking into his chest and my selfish heart is gleeful that Ben would give up everything, even his son, for me, I can’t let him do that. “I’m in Westminster now.”
“Really?” He sounds a bit shocked. “You’d accept being part of Westminster?”
“Yes,” I insist.
“This will end in bloodshed. Are you prepared for that?” He’s checking, I think. Probing to see if this is something he has to give up for me.
“I know. I’m ready.” That’s a total lie, I’m one for plants and books, not guns and knives. But I’m going to be Benedict Crosse’s wife, and Westminster is part ofhim. The kingpin and the sweet paternal figure, I love both sides. Whatever happens with Tom, I’m not having my man give up on his life’s work.
He stares at me, incredulous. Minutes, days, aeons tick past. It’s probably only ten seconds. A slow, pleased smile spreads across his face, lighting his eyes to silver. “I think it’s time for a regime change in the Bratva.” He nods thoughtfully. “I don’t usually get involved with such things, but I’ll make an exception. Do you want to help?”
“Yes.” Fear pulses through me but I’m here. I’ll be by Mr Crosse’s side and in Ben’s arms until the end of the world.
“Good.” Just that word from him sends pleasure skittering down my spine. He pulls his phone from his pocket and opens a message. “Remind me the name of your friend at the cafe you work at?”
“Uh.” I don’t have any friends there. Unless you count the girl who does the shift before me. Sometimes I chat with her. “Lina?”
