Page 67 of Tempting Little Thief

I chuckle, shaking my head, not bothering to read over the last few paragraphs of the report.

It’s scary how easy running schemes can be sometimes.

Jacobi Randolph didn’t do his research. He fled a small city on the East Coast and thought he would come this way, reinvent himself and come up on a couple easy millions.

But again … he didn’t do his research.

No onesteps into Revenaw territory without permission, not when tricks are to be played.

There’s an order and a hierarchy that must be followed, and Randolph will be the newest reminder of what happens when you do as you wish. Well, a warning of it anyway. This is what we call a “friendly” reminder.

You don’t bring heat to hell. You’ll burn before you even reach the gates.

This is my father’s territory, and if anyone is going to rob from the rich here, it’s him, not some wannabe who figured out how easy it is to swindle men worth millions out of a couple they won’t miss.

“This is going to print?” Delta asks, smiling up at my dad.

“Front page tomorrow morning. Be sure to take the girl to celebrate.”

I smile down at the fruits of Valley’s initiation efforts. “We will. Thank you for letting us know in advance.”

“Of course.” He nods, his brown eyes sliding to mine. “I hear your sister is all settled in now.”

“She is.” I fight a smirk. “The studios in the basement suit her well.”

His brows snap together, and I fight to keep my muscles from tensing.

Shit, she didn’t tell him that little detail. I’m kind of proud of her, but I also want to smack her as now I’m the fool.

His jaw muscles tic and I know what he’s thinking, even if his words are carefully chosen in front of the girls. “Are we sure it’s safe for her there?” He delivers his question calmly when he really wants to growl,are we sure the degenerate boys I told you not to bring here won’t do something I’ll have to kill them for?

“Damiano’s suite is just across from hers. Our weapon supply is in the same area. She’s safer there than anywhere in the house,” I assure him.

“Couldn’t give her her old room back, hmm?”

“I gave it to Saylor.”

“Your maid has an apartment suite?”

“She does.”

My father nods, holding my stare for several silent seconds, and I know this little random visit he’s not entirely unknown for isn’t simply about the paper in my hands, so I stare back.

He will speak when he’s ready.

I swear his lip twitches when he recognizes the stubborn streak he gave me, but it’s gone too fast to say for sure.

“I’m having a drink with Mr. Henshaw and his family tonight. Oliver will be there. Join me?”

I fake a yawn and the creases along his temples deepen. “I’m going to turn in early tonight, actually. Classes were so intense today; I need to go over my reading a few times just to know what was covered.”

Bronx laughs but covers it with a cough, facing the window as if it suddenly became interesting.

“Right, well, we wouldn’t want you to fall behind, now would we?” He pulls in a deep breath, smoothing his suitjacket down when it’s already as smooth as it could possibly be. “Next time,” he warns, letting me know no invitation will be given.

It will be a demand I must obey without a fight.

I smile, and when he holds his arms out, I climb off the bed, ignoring the crinkle of papers beneath me, and go to him.

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