Page 44 of Shackled By the Mafia Boss

Tonight is the first time anyone has seen Mikhail.

“Don’t touch a hair on his head though,” Alexei warns. “He may be an idiot, but he’s still my brother.”

“Sorry, man. You should share your concerns with the Capo, I only take orders.”

Alexei’s eyes darken, his tone gruff. “Pass the warning to your Capo. You’ll be the first one to die if anything happens to Mikhail.”

Dante finds Alexei’s warning offensive. He smiles, but in the way he usually does before taking a man’s life. “Fuck you and your dumbass brother, man. The little idiot would be dead by now if Dominic wasn’t such a softie.”

“Hey, easy, man.” I call him to order. The downfall of a Capo usually begins when his men start to think of him as weak. Dominic will take a finger or two from Dante just for insinuating he’s weak. “Stop it, both of you.”

The two of them look away from each other. They’re both breathing as if they just sprinted a marathon.

“Dante, you will not speak about my brother like that. Ever. Or I’ll be the one to kill you.” I turn my attention to Alexei. “If you care about your brother that much, then you should help us trap Victor.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Find out all you can about him. Maybe pretend to strike a deal or something. You’re not an idiot, use your fucking brain.”

They don’t reply and I don’t care. I’m certain they heard me anyway. Getting to my feet, I smooth my shirt and stride out of the office.

My thoughts spin as I make my way out the office. Once I slide into my car, I rest my head back and inhale. Valentes is up to something, I’m sure of it. And he’s using Alexei’s brother to make himself look clean.

Whatever he’s planning, I need to find out and there’s only one way to do that. I need Jane’s help.

My heart skips a beat at the memory of our time together. It’s been a few days since I saw her, but we’ve both been busy.

Victor Valentes may be a good excuse to see her tonight. I close my eyes, rubbing a hand over my face. The image that flashes before my eyes is raw, passionate and it makes my cock throb.

I still can’t believe she was a virgin.

I’m the first and only man she’s been with. My chest tightens, a smile forming on my lips. It’s absurd I’m thinking this way, but I want to make her mine. All mine.

The engine roars to life as I push thestartbottom and move the car into traffic. It takes all of fifty minutes before I pull over in the parking lot of her apartment.

Glancing up, her lights are still on and her shadow crosses the window. It’s hourglass, beautiful.

I wonder what she is doing.

Sliding my phone from my pocket, I dial her number. It rings twice before she answers. “Hey, Marcus.”

“Hey, love. Are you in bed already?”

“No. I’m about to go to bed though. What’s up?”

“I miss you.”

Her breath hitches, it’s raspy over the phone. “I miss you too. We should meet up after work tomorrow.”

“You bet we will.” I end the call, drag myself out of the car and sprint to the entrance. With an empty elevator, I press the button for her floor and in no time, I’m at her door. I knock.

“Who’s there?”

“It’s Marcus.”

She doesn’t ask any more questions. I hear her footsteps as she reaches the door and opens. “Marcus? Why—how are you here?”

I don’t answer. I can’t.

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