Page 21 of Demanding Mob Boss

"Maybe if you told Ini and Mrs. Hart that, they would stop trying to get me to quit."

Threats are easier, but for my Anna, I will try diplomacy.

"Cancel my morning shit," I tell Connor.

"You're going now?" he asks, shocked.

"Yes." I'm not risking them convincing Anna she has to quit and me having to take more serious measures to make sure that doesn't happen. I don't want Anna upset.

"But Lachlan will be in any minute. He's got intel from the Murphys."

"He can wait."

~ ~ ~

Leaving my bodyguards stationed outside the building, I knock on Mrs. Hart's door. I have to knock a second time before I hear an old lady's voice asking, "Who is it?" through the door.

"Cian Doyle."

Silence. Then, "Go away."

I sigh. She's afraid.

"I am not going to hurt you."

"I'm calling the cops."

Sighing again, I kick the door and it breaks open despite the extra deadbolt.

The old lady screams. Being careful not to hurt her, that would upset Anna, I grab her and put my hand over her mouth. "Calm down, Mrs. Hart. I'm here at Anna's request."

She bites my hand. It hurts, but I smile. No wonder she's friends with Anna. She's got spunk.

"Anna's not afraid of me either."

Mrs. Hart glares up at me.

"I'm going to pull my hand away. Don't scream." Thinking of my ma, I say, "Please."

The old lady's eyes widen on the word and then she nods. I think maybe I should have started with the please and not the door kicking. It's a piece of crap door though. I'll get her a new one, something that will keep her safe. Anna will like that.

I pull my hand away. "Can you give me a second?" I ask her.

I've got to get the door on its way because I'm not leaving her alone with a door that doesn't shut, much less lock anymore.

"I'll make some tea." I think it's more for her nerves than because she's being polite.

I call Uncle Jimmy as she fills a kettle with water in her tiny kitchen. "I need a team to install a steel door in an apartment. Make that two apartments. I also want the team to check out the wiring and any other source of possible threat from the building for the occupants' safety."

"Text me the address." Uncle Jimmy doesn't ask why which is one of the reasons he's so good at heading up the construction side of our business. He knows when to keep his nose out of things.

"You're replacing my door?" Mrs. Hart asks. "And having my apartment inspected?"

"And any repairs necessary made." She needs to be prepared for the team being in her apartment a good part of the day.

"That's the landlord's job."

I shrug. Keeping Anna safe is my job. She spends time here as well as the apartment she shares with her friend, Ini.

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