Page 81 of Gangster's Empire: Leeza & Havel

Havel grinned down at Kris and Leeza’s heart twisted in response. “Hey,” she said softly from the bedroom doorway, catching Havel’s attention.

His eyes glowed with warmth and his lips quirked in the special way they did when he liked what he saw. He’d been looking at her like that more and more often. It made her heart leap every time.

“You guys kicking some bird butt?”

“Kiddo is kicking bird butt. I’m doing nothing but flinging feathered assholes into a cartoon sky.”

Leeza laughed, glancing at Kris to see if he was listening. He was fully preoccupied with the game. Havel was trying to stop swearing around his soon-to-be stepson, but he didn’t always remember. Or he didn’t even realize he was swearing. Words like ‘asshole’ were standard language around the Guard Dog office.

Havel put his controller down and stood, stretching his arms over his head, his knuckles grazing the ceiling. “Come with me,” he said to Leeza, taking her hand. “I want to show you something.”

“A wedding surprise?” she teased.

He curved his hand around the back of her neck and lowered his lips to hers. She went up on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he pressed her against his rising erection.

“You taste so fu… fudging amazing,” he muttered against her lips, glancing sideways at Kris. “Wanna ditch the kid and take this to the bedroom?”

She laughed and reminded him, “You were showing me something?”

He growled his displeasure but took her hand and said to Kris, “I’m taking your mother downstairs. Ayaan will stay with you. Okay, kiddo?”

With his controller still clutched tight in one hand, he signed with the other, yes, okay.

“Impressive that he can do that,” Havel said, ushering Leeza out the door.

“His lazy attempts at signing?” Leeza asked with a laugh. “He started doing that when he was three so he wouldn’t have to give up his teddy bear while demanding his bedtime milk.”

Havel chuckled and said to Ayaan who was standing in the hall, “Stay with him. We’ll be downstairs.”

“Yes, Boss.” She stepped inside the apartment and Havel closed and locked the door behind her.

As they waited for the elevator, Leeza asked, “Are we going to Zmatek?”

“No.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Care to elaborate?”

“No.”

She punched him lightly in the arm, and he wrapped it around her, lifting her off her feet and swinging her into the elevator as the doors opened. The move was so smooth, so practiced, she almost believed they’d done it before. She melted against him as he pushed the button to the third floor, then dipped his head for a kiss.

She was light-headed and giddy by the time they arrived at the Guard Dog offices. It was late in the day, past nine, and there were only a few people left.

Ali looked up from his laptop as they passed the tech desk.

“What are you working on?” Leeza asked, then realized he likely wasn’t allowed to discuss his work.

Ali surprised her by saying, “I’m monitoring one of our teams in the field. Halil wanted an extra set of eyes on his operation and asked me to sit in while they complete a delivery for Jozef.”

She glanced from Ali to Havel to see if Havel reacted, but his expression remained neutral as he said, “Good work. Report to me when the drop has been completed and the team is on their way back.”

“Sure thing, Boss.”

Havel took Leeza’s hand and pulled her into his office where he closed the door and lowered the blinds.

“Why did he tell me about his work?” she asked bewildered.

“You asked.”

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