Page 125 of Demanding Mob Boss

"She knows me."

"I've known you longer, and I wasn't sure."

"Fear clouds your judgment."

"Like you've ever been afraid of anything."

I shrug. "I never was, before I met Anna."

"Now, you're afraid of losing her. She'll never leave you."

"Not willingly, but things happen." She's out there, right now, in the City, where bad things happen all the time.

She's got her bodyguard, but she had bodyguards when Grieves and Samuels took her too. They all know now, that if they let her get taken byanyone, their lives are forfeit.

"You'll keep her safe. Just like I'll keep Elliott and Dot safe."

I nod.

"The mob…" Connor sighs and shakes his head. "There are a lot of traditions we uphold, not everyone is going to be okay with me having a boyfriend."

"Tell me if anyone gives you shit. I'll set them straight." Connor is family. No one messes with my own.

"I can fight my own battles."

"Sure. Tell me anyway."

He rolls his eyes, reminding me of his teen years. "You can't go around beating on everyone who has an issue with my sexuality."

"I won't."

"Then what's your plan?"

"I'll kill them. No one threatens my family."

I see the moment my cousin realizes I'm serious. I'm not a joking kind of guy, but still people, even family, mistake my words for humor when they're not.

"Do you want to meet Elliott and Dot?"

"Yes." I think of something and smile.

Connor jerks back, like I threatened him with a gun. "What is that look for?" he asks me.

"Anna is afraid to have kids because she doesn't know how to be around them, or how she will react to them. Dot will give her the chance to see she'll be a natural mom."

"You're so sure she will?" Connor asks.

"You aren't?"

"I've got no doubts," Connor says hastily. Maybe he sees how much I don't like him questioning that. "She's sweet and loyal. Elliott really likes her too."

"Elliott knows she's taken right?"

Connor laughs. "Elliott is very much taken and also, he's gay. You've got nothing to worry about on that score."

I frown, but I don't say anything. Logic would say he's right, but logic doesn't play a big role in how I react to all things Anna.

After Connor leaves, I call my Uncle Jimmy.

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