Page 112 of Demanding Mob Boss

"When did your father leave the city?"

"Just a few minutes ago. I could refuse to let him into my hotel room, but he has friends in the police. If he tells them I'm a risk to my baby, they'll believe it."

I remember how helpless I felt when the detectives came for me. No wonder Elliott is nervous. "Do you have a car? Can you come here?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure where to go. My apartment is out. I've never been to Connor's place. I can't just spring myself on his parents. And what if they're as off the road about me and Connor raising a child as my parents are?"

"Jimmy isn't like that." I don't think. "But I don't know Connor's mom. You need to come to Cian's apartment. You can stay with me and the bodyguards he has assigned to me, but you need to hurry and don't stop anywhere along the way. Not for anything."

"I'm not like Connor. Violence isn't my thing. I’m a geek kind of guy," he rambles. Like he has to explain himself.

He doesn't. Not to me. Not everyone is a fighter and that's a good thing, or there would be a lot more fights. Right?

"That's probably for the best. Dot doesn't need more than one mobster for a dad."

Elliott laughs. "You got that right. You talk about it so casually though. Are you in the mob?"

"No. I wouldn't make a good mobster at all. I hate being touched and my anxiety goes through the roof when I'm around too many people. Especially in a small space." I don't know why I'm telling Elliott this, except maybe I want him to know that we all have our issues.

"I don't think anything scares Connor."

"You and Dot being hurt does, or he wouldn't have sent you out of town."

Elliott is silent for a beat. "Thanks for saying that."

I'm not sure how to respond. I can't say you're welcome for just telling the truth. So, I focus on the situation at hand. "Get yourself packed up and on your way."

Connor will be furious with me if Elliott is on the streets of Chicago when things get started.

If Elliott hurries getting their stuff together, he should get here a minimum of fifteen minutes before the time I overheard Cian say they are going to attack the street gang.

"I've been packing while we talked. I'm ready to go."

Oh, good. That gives seven minutes more leeway. The time I estimated it would take Elliott to pack. "Okay. Call me back when you're on your way."

"Will do."

Chapter 36

ANNA

Hanging up the phone, I rush into the living room. Tommy and Eoin are playing cards at the table, but they're alert and both turn to face me the moment I enter the room.

"One of you needs to head toward Rockford. You're going to meet up with a friend of Connor's on the I-90 and follow him back here to make sure nothing happens to him."

"Can't do that," Tommy says to me.

"Yes, you can. I've seen you drive. You're competent behind the wheel."

"The boss gave strict instructions. You aren't to leave this apartment and we stay here with you. No deliveries. No visitors."

"Did he really say no visitors? Because I'm inviting Ini and Mrs. Hart over. Are you going to try to stop me from letting them in?"

The two bodyguards look at each other.

"He didn't say no visitors," Eoin admits.

"Okay then." I give Tommy my best impersonation of Ini in a snit. "You get your butt out that door and on your way toward Rockford. I'll text you with the exit to pull off and meet Elliott."

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