Page 6 of Dangerous Attraction

“Yeah, you’re right. Okay.” He sighed into the phone. “I’ll keep my ears open. Look, I’ll come by the club tomorrow. I gotta run. They’re losing their shit in the kitchen.”

“Okay. Be safe.”

“You, too. Fino a domani.”

“Fino a domani.”

Disconnecting the call, I couldn’t help but smile. Fino a domani meant until tomorrow. It was something my family said instead of goodbye. My laptop pinged with a notification. I noted my interview would arrive any minute. My hope was she’d fit in at the club since we needed someone as soon as possible.

When my eyes read through the email, fury like no other coursed through my blood. Snatching my phone, I dialed Antonio and stood.

“Miss me already?” He chuckled into the line.

Anger boiled in my veins as my eyes scanned the words again.

“What do you know about Jose Juarez?”

“Jose?” Antonio paused. “He’s one of my drivers, but… he wasn’t scheduled on this last run.”

“Well…” I tried to keep myself from exploding by taking a deep breath and exhaling. “That motherfucker is responsible for the missing cargo.”

Antonio gasped. “Are you sure?”

“Someone sent me a goddamn email thanking me for the lumber. They appreciated our cooperation.”

“And you think Jose was involved?”

“Yes. I’m fucking sure he was involved.” My rage was at a tipping point. Not only had one of Antonio’s men betrayed us, it looked like he’d sold us out to the Mexican mafia. “Does the name Juan Carlos tell you I’m right? Because that’s who wanted to share his gratitude.”

“The suspected leader of the Sureños?Fuck.”

“Yes. I don’t care what you have to do. Find thatfuckingCagna and bring me his head.”

four

MADISON

My nerves wereoff the chart as I readied myself for the interview. I had a little over thirty minutes before I was to meet with Massimo Anastasi, the owner of Discoteca. I changed my clothes three times, finally settling on a fitted black bodycon dress that stopped at my shins. Pulling my long hair into a sleek ponytail, I grabbed my red heels and stepped out of my apartment.

At five foot ten, I was taller than most guys—with heels on, I towered over them. Ensuring my door was locked, I hurried down the steps and out onto the sidewalk. Knowing I would have to walk, I’d donned a pair of tennis shoes and shoved the heels into my bag. I’d swap them out once I reached the club.

Trying to keep my bag tucked under my arm, I walked as fast as I could. Being out on the streets in my neck of the woods wasn’t smart at this time of night, especially dressed how I was. But when I got the call asking to come in for an interview, I couldn’t say no.

The walk didn’t take as long as I expected. Rounding the corner, I noted the long line forming outside the door of Discoteca. Slipping off my tennis shoes, I traded them for my red heels. Securing my hair one more time, I walked to the front of the line and got the attention of the massive man standing at the door.

The bouncer took up the entire width of the door. His body resembled a linebacker, solid and, well… scary as fuck. His arms were as big around as my thighs, and that was saying something because I was a thick girl.

“Hey, bitch!” The nasal voice of a girl called out from the front of the line. “You need to take your ass to the end of the line.”

The bouncer glanced my way, raising one eyebrow as if he was saying I should listen to her.

The girl, dressed far sluttier than me, shoved her hands on her hips and glowered at me. “Did you hear me, or are you deaf?”

Tired from a long day at school and in no mood to entertain the wench, who looked more plastic than human, I turned toward her and pinned her with a glare.

“I heard you, but you mean nothing to me, which is why I was ignoring you. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” I turned back to the bouncer. “I have an appointment with Mr. Anastasi. My name is Madison Hart.”

The bouncer leaned back, pressing against something tucked in his ear as he spoke. He gripped the red rope and unlatched it, motioning me through. “Right this way, Mrs. Hart.”

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