Page 8 of Demanding Mob Boss

I let Lachlan greet him while I scan the tables for Anna and Shea. They're sitting in a booth against the back wall. Heading toward them, I notice that Anna looks tense. She's smiling at Shea, but it's not her usual smile. It's forced. Her hands are in her lap, her fingers twisting together.

A couple of jerks wearing identical button ups and chinos are standing beside their table. They're saying something and Shea is laughing, nodding. Anna looks like she wants to bolt.

Chapter 3

ANNA

Working with Shea this morning was fun, so I forced myself to agree to go to lunch with her. I usually eat a sandwich in the copy room where it's quiet. But I didn't know if it was safe to go back to Cian's office suite and I was hungry. Now, I'm wishing I'd gotten a bag of chips from the vending machine and found a corner to hole up in until after lunch.

There are so many people here. It's noisy and there are too many competing smells. The food, perfume, body odor…we're too close to the bathrooms.

I'm trying to carry on a conversation with Shea, but all I want to do is jump up and leave.

One, two, look at your shoe.

I can't see my shoes under the table. Unable to continue the rhyme, I start tapping my nails together. Click, click, click… How many steps to the front door? Too many bodies to navigate. Three people touched me on the way to the booth. I want to go. Click, click, click…

"Is anyone joining you?" a man's voice asks.

I look to my left. There are two men standing by the booth. One of them is blocking my exit. It makes me nervous. Okay, I'm already agitated, but not having an escape route makes it so much worse.

Shea is laughing and chatting with the men.

"Can we share your table?" the man closest to Shea asks. "It's crowded in here."

I want to blurt out, "No," but I can't get my voice to work.

"Sure," Shea says with a big smile. "It's the only socially responsible thing to do."

She slides closer to the wall, making room for one of the men to join her. Doesn't she know how dangerous that is? Once he sits down, he'll have her trapped and her only way out will be under the table. I'm desperate to get out of here now, but I can't leave her. I can only hope these men are as harmless as they are trying to appear. I'm not going to sit by the wall though.

I scoot toward the man who is blocking my way and hope he'll take the hint and move. He doesn't.

"Excuse me," I force words from my tight throat.

"Don't you want me to sit by you, sweetheart?"

"No, she fucking doesn't."

My head jerks up and I look into furious blue eyes. They scan over me as if checking to see if I'm alright before they're turned on the now frowning man.

"Leave." Cian's tone is harsh, his expression deadly.

I feel a jolt in my core. He's so dominant. Powerful.

"For cripe's sake, Cian. Go away. We're having lunch."

"Where is Sully?" Cian demands.

Shea rolls her eyes. "He doesn't follow me to work."

Who is Sully?

The man next to Shea turns toward her and says, "Is this guy an ex? You want me to get rid of him?"

Shea's eyes widen and she sends Cian a pleading look. "He didn't mean anything."

The guy sees the look and makes his own interpretation. He puts a hand on Shea's shoulder and turns and glares up at Cian. "Look buddy, whoever you are, the lady isn't interested."

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