Page 109 of Demanding Mob Boss

I have a feeling this is about what Cian is planning. I'm not supposed to know what it is, but I've eavesdropped a little. Enough to know that what's going down is dangerous and it's big. They are going to war with a street gang and are planning a coordinated single strike to take the gang out in one night.

Apparently, that night is here.

"Stay safe. Elliott wants you back, not your parents providing for him and Dot," I tell Connor.

He shrugs. "Maybe it would be easier if I don't make it home tonight."

"Don't say that!" I mean it. "You will do whatever you need to in order to come back from whatever you all are doing. You are going to live to be Dot's dad and Elliott's partner. You all deserve that, Connor."

There is no substitute for a parent's love. I still miss my mom and dad. Living with my aunt and uncle was never even close to like having them.

The way Connor talked about Dot the night he told me about her? He will be a good and loving dad.

"This life is dangerous, Anna. None of us can promise that. Not even the boss."

A cold chill goes down my spine, but I don't let my fear show. "I know. All the more reason to go into this situation with the determination to come out of it alive. Do you hear me, Connor? You watch out for yourself and let your friends watch out for you too."

"We're more than friends. We're brothers."

"Good. Brothers take care of each other." Even my odious cousins have each other's backs.

They never had mine, but then they never saw me as real family.

Chapter 35

ANNA

Cian takes me up to our apartment an hour after my conversation with his cousin. "Tommy and Eoin are staying with you. Arlo is over at your old place keeping an eye on your friends."

"Thank you, but shouldn't Tommy and Eoin go with you?" I ask. "I'll be safe in the apartment. No one can get in."

"No."

I sigh. That tone of voice? I'm not changing his mind. But what is happening tonight is dangerous, for all of them and he needs all the soldiers he can get at his disposal.

"Please." I have to try. "Keep them with you. I won't leave the apartment. I promise."

Cian kisses me until the elevator doors ding and open. Even then, he conquers my mouth with his tongue until I'm pressed against him, my arms wrapped around his neck.

When he ends the kiss, he looks down at me. "You are mine to protect."

That's all he says, but I realize it's futile to ask again.

Tommy and Eoin are waiting outside our apartment. Cian wants me to open the door, to show that I remember the sequence and the code I have to type in.

When he put me in the security system, it made me nervous, but since he doesn't just use a key like I did with Ini, I know it's necessary.

Cian has me stand by the front door with Eoin while he and Tommy check every single room, closet and the terrace to make sure no one is there. How he thinks they would have gotten in, I don't know, but his protective actions make me feel safe and cared for.

When they are done with the room check, he cups my face and kisses me. Hard. But his lips don't linger. "Do not order food in tonight. You're going to have to make do with what we have on hand."

"Okay." That's hardly a problem. We bought groceries right after I moved in, and the cupboards are stocked. I grab his sleeve, stopping him from going. "Stay safe."

Blue eyes lock onto mine. "I'll keep the city safe. I promise you,mo chroí."

It's not the same as promising to keep himself safe, but he's the boss and this is his city to protect. What a strange world I've found myself in where the criminals are more committed to the protection of my city than some of the people whose job that is.

CIAN

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