Page 41 of Shackled By the Mafia Boss

He’s a perfect gentleman when he wants to be.

Rounding to the driver’s seat, he gets in, clips his seat belt and brings the engine to life.

“Are you aware there was a search and seizure in one of our hotels this morning?”

“What?”

“The cops went to one of our hotels in Hudson Yards. It seems a tip was received saying that we do our illegal businesses there.”

My brain fogs as it tries to process what he just said. “How could they do that without a warrant?”

“They had a warrant.”

That’s not possible. How come I wasn’t aware of this? Taylor wouldn’t do something like that without letting me know. He wouldn’t.

A lump forms in my throat, making it hard for me to swallow. “I’ll find out what this is about when I get to the office.”

The rest of our drive is in complete silence. I lean my head on the window, consumed by thoughts.

“We’re here,” Marcus says, stopping the car in the parking lot. “Take care of yourself and call me if there’s anything you need. About the search and seizure, don’t think about it too much.”

I inhale, my shoulders raise and drop almost immediately. “I will,” I tell him, knowing damn well that is all I’m going to think about for the rest of today. I’m getting this feeling something is wrong, someone is hiding something, but I can’t wrap my head around it.

“Thank you for lunch.”

He nods. “You’re welcome.”

I climb out of the car and amble to my office. Taylor’s sitting in front of my desk when I enter the office.

His face lights up when he spots me, as if he’s been waiting for me. “There you are,” he says with a playful grin.

I don’t return his smile. I can’t. Not after I just found out what he did and without telling me. Settling in my chair, I place my handbag the lower section of the desk. “Were you waiting for me?”

“Yes. Where did you go?”

“Who wants to know?”

He props his hand on my desk, leaning in closer. “Is everything okay?”

Anger courses through my veins. I hate that he is sitting here, pretending he hasn’t done anything for me to be angry about. “No. Everything is not okay. Can you explain the search and seizure on one of the Romano hotels?”

“Oh, that.” He sits back, running his fingers over his beard. “About that, the Chief gave the order this morning and I couldn’t say no. He’s the Chief after all.”

“Why didn’t you tell me? I thought we were partners.”

“We are. I just didn’t get the chance to.”

I snort, raking my teeth over my bottom lip. “But you had the chance to get me coffee and sit on my table for minutes asking what my plans are for the weekend and telling me about your date. Does that make sense to you?”

“I’m sorry. You’re right, I should have told you and I really have no excuse for not telling you.” He pauses and looks around. “How did you find out about the search and seizure.”

Great, now I’m being grilled.

I bite my tongue, trying to choose my words carefully. I can’t stutter or give an explanation that doesn’t make sense. Taylor will catch on. “Well, Marcus Romano called me while I was at lunch. Remember I gave him my contact card at Hell’s Kitchen the other day.”

“Why would he call you?”

I shrug. “I’m not sure. He just asked why there was a need to search the hotel and complained about the disruption to his business.”

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