Page 22 of Demanding Mob Boss

Mrs. Hart looks at me like she's trying to get a read on me. I should tell her not to bother. Right now, I have no emotions to read.

"You told that man two apartments," she says leadingly.

I don't mind telling her my plans. She'll find out soon enough. "Yours and Anna's."

"You realize if you have steel doors installed, you won't be able to kick them in?" She gives me a mocking look.

I like this lady. She's got courage.

I shrug. "Neither will anyone else."

The kettle whistles and Mrs. Hart goes back to the kitchen. She sets a wooden tray, dinged and the flowers painted in the center faded by years of use, on the counter. Like she's done it a thousand times before, she places the tea things on the tray.

I grab it and carry it to the small table before she can. There are two mugs and I hope that means she's ready to listen.

I wait to be invited to sit down like Ma taught me.

Mrs. Hart looks at me curiously. "You don't mind breaking down my door, but you wait to be invited to sit at my table?"

I don't bother answering. Kicking the door in was expedient and she needs a new one anyway.

She indicates one of the small dinette chairs. "Join me for tea, Mr. Doyle."

I settle my big body on one of the small chairs and she pours tea into both mugs before placing one in front of me.

"Anna is safe with me." I take a sip of my tea. No milk. No sugar.

"How can you say that?"

I could tell her it is because Anna works for my legit business, but that's only part of it and not the important part. "Because I will always protect her."

Mrs. Hart does not look comforted. If anything, she looks horrified. "You want her."

"She's safe with me," I repeat.

"But is she safe from you?"

I think about that. Anna is mine, but I will give her all the time she needs to come to understand that. "I will never do anything she does not want."

"How can I believe you?" She sounds genuinely worried. This woman cares about my Anna.

I'm glad. So, I decide to reassure her. "If you know my reputation, you also know I keep my word."

"And you're giving me your word that you won't let harm come to her? That you won't push her for a relationship she doesn't want?"

"Yes."

"Why are you here?"

"Anna is upset."

"And you don't want her to quit."

"She won't quit." That is not going to happen. "But if you keep pushing her to, it will hurt her."

"And you will protect her, even from her friends."

"Yes." In any way I have to, though I don't say that.

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