Page 87 of Demanding Mob Boss

What the hell is going on?

I text Connor and demand a situation update.

I've been in this meeting for the past six hours. I can't end it no matter how much I want to. If things go according to plan, we move against the Kicks Bandidos the day after tomorrow. Everything has to be prepared and every element to the plan must have a backup. The logistics are interesting, but I'm not deriving my usual satisfaction from solving a problem, or even planning to take out my enemies.

Anna is in the forefront of my mind. I knew she wouldn't react well to being taken to the police station. That's why I called in a marker from the captain for her. It was a calculated risk. Now, he's another person who knows of Anna's importance to me.

According to him, she was barely in the building for five minutes before he ordered his detectives to release her. Arlo said she was stressed though. That she refused to get into the SUV with him and the other guards at first. Then she texted me that she wanted to see me.

I gave instructions for her to be brought to my place. I know they're up there, her, Connor, Tommy, Arlo and Eoin. But she hasn't responded to any of my other texts and she's not letting me see her.

I don't like it. When one of the Greek mafia men under Drakos suggests we scale back the assault on the street gang, I let my frustration loose. Lachlan calls in two of our men to carry the man out of the room. He'll wake up. Eventually.

No one else makes any more fucking ridiculous suggestions and we finally wrap up the meeting.

"I'll see everyone out," Lachlan says to me. "You go check on her."

~ ~ ~

Opening the door to my apartment, I find Anna and Connor sitting at opposite ends of my sectional, watching some kind of nature show. Anna is wearing one of my t-shirts. If she has anything else on, I don't see evidence of it.

Connor looks up. "Hey, Boss."

Anna does not acknowledge my presence. I watch her profile. She seems engaged in the show. Her phone is still in my bedroom. The camera feed has not changed in the last hour. She didn't bring it with her in here. Why?

"Where are Arlo and his men?" I ask.

Connor stands, gives Anna a concerned look and then says, "Over at my place. I figured Anna would appreciate the quiet."

"I do." She turns her head slightly and smiles at Connor.

It's not a big smile, but it's more than she's giving me.

Connor nods. "I'll head out then." He looks at me. "Arlo and his crew can stay at my place."

It's a good idea. I want Anna's bodyguards nearby but I don't want them in my guestroom.

"Send Tommy to keep an eye on Ini and Mrs. Hart." Anna's friends shouldn't be targets, but I'm leaving nothing to chance.

The two detectives who picked up my girl today aren't clean, but they aren't on my payroll either. That police station is in Walsh's territory, as is Anna's apartment. He said they aren't on his payroll either.

If I find out differently, Walsh is done. And I'll make an example of him for anyone who thinks they can fuck with me and mine.

I'm not sure what to do with Anna. This is the first time we've been in a room together that her attention isn't on me. I don't like it.

Grabbing the remote, I turn off the TV.

She doesn’t react.

"What's going on, Anna?" I ask.

Her head comes up, those violet eyes looking at me with accusation. "Why did you let them take me?"

"The detectives?"

She nods.

"It's protocol. When possible, we don't escalate with the cops."

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