Page 46 of Demanding Mob Boss

Anna texts Connor and tells him she's not coming into work today. She hasn't come out of her bedroom since I left her at her apartment yesterday. My camera is in her living area. Now, I'm regretting not putting one pointed to her bed. Though all I would see is her tent.

She didn't eat dinner last night. I saw Ini take a plate of food to her, but she brought it back out a couple of hours later untouched.

Is this normal? Is this what Anna needs to cope with whatever happened at the hospital?

Ini doesn't seem shocked by Anna's behavior, but I don't have sound on the cameras, so I can't be sure. She doesn't hesitate to leave my girl alone to take dinner down to Mrs. Hart.

Tommy got the elevator fixed and my men moved into an apartment on Anna's floor last night like I told them to. I still have Anna's keys. I should have sent them back, but I don't want to.

I play with them in my pocket while I watch Ronan continue to interrogate Carmen. She's had time to stew and to realize that she was set up by her cousin. She doesn't want to believe it at first, but Ronan is a convincing guy. He's even better at psychological manipulation than physical torture.

For some weird reason, I'm glad he doesn't have to waterboard her again. I don't think Anna would like it if she knew.

Which she never will, so it should not matter.

My girl is fucking with my head.

She needs to come back to work.

My head snaps up and I start paying closer attention when I hear the name Gutierrez. "Martina's father is Eduardo Gutierrez, the head of the Gutierrez Cartel?"

Carmen looks toward the wall, but she nods.

So, Martina Vega-Gutierrez, not just plain Martina Vega.

"Our moms are sisters, but my father is only a captain. Martina is here to prove her value to her father."

"Why are you here?" Ronan asks.

"To show my loyalty to the cartel."

"Your loyalty cost you your life."

She shivers, but nods. "I know. You can't let me go."

Ronan looks at me and then at her. "We aren't going to kill you."

"You just said…" She stares up at him, like she's trying to read his mind.

"Your life as Valeria Carmen Vega-Martinezisover."

"Then who am I now?" she demands.

He shrugs. "Not her. Where is your husband?"

"I can't tell you that."

"You can. You will. You think you owe them loyalty, but you don't."

"Would you say the same to one of the women in your organization."

"We would never put one of our women at risk like they put you."

"You think women are weak?" she demands, a spark of fire showing in her dark eyes.

"No, but if we sent one in on a reconnaissance job, we'd make sure she had a viable exit strategy and the training she needed to get it done."

"I'm trained."

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