Page 66 of Demanding Mob Boss

"It will all be useful," I say grimly.

Yes, we're taking out the gang first, but I'm not stopping there, whatever my allies agree to. Their help would be nice, but I'll hire mercenaries if I have to. I’m not leaving a threat like the egomaniac leading that cartel out there to hurt the people under my protection. Once he set his sights on my mob, he signed his own death warrant.

Ronan's eyes reflect no emotion. "We promised Carmen we would kill her husband."

"And we keep our word," I tell him.

He nods, like that's what he wanted to hear. We finish up and I tell Connor I'll drive myself home. He knows better than to argue. Even Lachlan just gives me a displeased glance before leaving with the other two men.

I change from my suit into a black turtleneck and cargo pants. I grab the other stuff I'll need and leave after locking the office and setting the security system.

Taking evasive maneuvers to make sure I'm not being followed, I drive toward Anna's apartment building. I need to check on her, but I'm not putting her at further risk by letting anyone know I'm doing it.

I park a few blocks from her place and pull on my black ski mask. Sticking to alleyways and the shadows, I make my way to the unused side entrance to her building. Once my interest in her was piqued, I unblocked the door and put a lock on it that only I have the key to. I use that now, to let myself inside.

I take the stairs up to her floor and approach her apartment. With the set of keys I had made when I took Anna's the other day, I let myself into her apartment. It's dark with no lights on. I'm not surprised. Ini returned a couple of hours ago and went to the bedroom.

Moving silently, I go there now. As I gently open the door, I can hear both women breathing in the steady rhythm of sleep. I know I'm good, but it bothers me that neither are aware someone is in their place. I'll have to get an alarm system installed.

But tonight, I'm glad they don't have one.

Anna has her tent set up. Does she use it every night?

Traversing the room, I then kneel beside her bed. It takes long seconds to untuck the tent blanket and pull it back. Anna's lovely face is outlined in the dark.

I place my hand over her mouth, pull the earbud from her ear and whisper. "Anna. Wake up, sweetheart."

She jolts awake, her body flailing.

"Anna, it's me. Don't wake up Ini." I imbue my voice with authority.

It works. My girl stills, blinking up at me.

"I'm going to take you into the living room," I whisper in a near subvocal level right against her ear.

She doesn't react.

"Okay?"

She shrugs. It's not ano, but it's not ayeseither. Her indifference irritates me, but I pick her up, blankets and all and carry her out of the room. I pull the door shut behind me, having to lean down to grab that handle to control the sound of the latch as I let it slide into place after the door is closed.

Her body is stiff in my arms, but I hold her close to my chest anyway. When I sit down on the couch with her on my lap; she scrambles to get off. I don't like it, but I allow it. She settles with her back against the armrest and facing me, her knees up and pressed to her chest, her arms circling them. She has the blankets over her as a barrier between us.

Everything in her demeanor screamskeep your distance.

I hand her the earbud I'm still holding, and she takes it, before removing the other one and then clutching them with the edge of the blanket in her hand.

"You left the building without Arlo." I don't like that I can't see her.

Reaching over her, I turn on the rickety standing lamp next to her side of the couch. She pulls back from me and my confusion at her behavior morphs into irritation.

"What is the matter with you?"

"Why would I wait for Arlo?" she asks, rather than answer.

"He's your security. I told you he would be bringing you home."

"That was before."

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