Page 20 of Demanding Mob Boss

"I like everyone that I work with here. That never happens."

"We all like you too."

"You do? They do? I mean, I thought so, but sometimes I don't read people right."

"My sister thinks you're sweet. Connor is thrilled you're here so he doesn't have to do the grunt work. Lachlan thinks you're good for me." My underboss didn't say those words, but he told me to get my act together so Anna won't quit. That's as good as a notarized endorsement. "Uncle Jimmy wishes you worked in his office."

I had to set my uncle straight. Ma called me after and read me the riot act for threatening my uncle. I did not care.

Anna is not leaving me.

"You are not quitting," I tell her.

"Uh…boss, maybe dial back the intensity. You're going to scare her," Connor says from behind me.

I turn my head and bare my teeth at him.

He backs up.

"Cian doesn't scare me. He makes me feel safe," Anna says.

My head whips back around. "I make you feel safe?"

She nods. "You turn down the noise."

"What does that mean exactly?" This is the second time she's said it. It must be important to her.

"Usually when I'm around other people, outside of my own room where I keep things like I need them, I get overwhelmed by all the noise. People talking, the sounds of them doing things. Colors get too bright. I can feel people being too close even if they don't touch me."

She's talking about overstimulation.

"And being around me calms things down?"

"Yes, exactly." She smiles for the first time this morning, her pretty eyes shining with approval that I get it.

"Did you tell your friends that?"

"Yes, but they're still worried about me."

"Do you want me to talk to them?"

"You would?"

"For you, Anna."

"Oh." Her eyes fill with tears.

I want to hit something.

But her smile doesn't dim. "I told them you are kind."

Connor coughs. The little shit is still listening. I turn to growl at him over my shoulder but when I see how he's focused on Anna, worry etched on his face, I decide not to knock him into next week. He's watching out for her.

"I am not a good man," I acknowledge. "Most of the city is scared of me."

"I'm not."

"And you never have to be."

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