Even so, there was always the people factor. Someone forgetting to follow protocol. Rules were established and followed for a reason. If anyone had left themselves wide open for a cyber-attack, they wouldn’t like the consequences. After heading to Hotel Hell, I had a meeting with our security experts to run a thorough check of the system.
I headed out fifteen minutes later, still trying to shake the latent effects of desire. First things first. A cup of coffee. I found a parking spot close to Indulgence and wasted no time heading for the bakery and coffee shop my sister managed on the first floor of our building.
As soon as I walked in, my sister offered her usual frown. Only this time, she tapped on her watch before turning around to the massive specialty coffee machine.
“You’re late,” Emmeline tossed over her shoulder, barely glancing at me.
“What are you talking about?”
“You always arrive on Tuesday mornings at precisely seven forty-five. It’s almost eight fifteen. I was beginning to worry that something horrible had happened to you.’
I waited to respond until she’d finished the brew. “I have no clue what you’re suggesting, my beautiful sister.”
“What did our father used to tell us? Don’t con a con artist. I know damn good and well you and the other partners in crime team up, coming by every morning to check on me.” Our baby sister was a take no shit kind of woman. She took after our mother. She threw in a few specialty items, always creating the perfect cup of java for me. “Now, I adore having four brothers, but for God’s sake, stick to your day jobs. Never try acting again. I am fine.”
“I know you’re fine. We want to keep you that way. I need my morning cup of joe. What’s wrong with that?”
“Can I suggest purchasing a Keurig machine? Even you could learn to use one, they’re so easy.”
“Ouch. Aren’t you in a mood today. Besides, I prefer the froth.” Which I didn’t, but God help me if I told my sister that. I held a dirty little secret. I hated Indulgence’s coffee.
Her look of disdain never changed as she slipped a lid on the huge cup and pushed it my way with her usual flair. “I happen to know for a fact there’s a very lovely specialty coffee shop just a couple blocks from where you live. Next time, try it.”
I backed away with my other hand in the air as if I was surrendering. In the time she’d taken to make the coffee, I’d done a complete scan of the bistro. While the Russians were still down for the count since we’d lured them into an attack, I seriously doubted they’d try something stupid and in the middle of broad daylight for an act of revenge, but we’d learned to be very careful.
With the coffee in the holder, I headed out, wondering how well the mystery woman with attitude would get along with my sister. They were equally hot blooded.
The one thing that ensuring my sister was safe reminded me of was that there was danger for the family lurking in the shadows, more so now. The cops weren’t on our tails for anything, but we weren’t completely legitimate, which meant any sense of impropriety and our schedules were interrupted.
In my mind, I was laying additional credence as to reasons I should at least have a conversation with the beautiful redhead.
My thoughts continued to drift to the copper-haired beauty, admitting to myself that I wished I’d gotten her name. What the hell was wrong with me? I was going to let my brain take control, instead of my dick.
Then why was it that I missed the turn leading to the warehouse, instead finding myself taking the same path as the day before? And of course that would eventually lead me straight past the veterinary office.
After making a few turns.
“What the hell are you doing?” My question was asked out loud. As if I had a decent answer.
Did I really have that strong of an interest in her? Yep. Apparently, I did because I wasn’t going to turn around. What was I hoping to achieve? Strong-arming the woman’s name? Even if I could convince the frumpy receptionist that I wasn’t some crazed killer and only a man who ran down dogs in a park, then what? They certainly wouldn’t offer her address. Not a chance.
Of course, I could discover who she was right down to her bra size.
A tantalizing thirty-six C. I had no doubt. They would fit perfectly in my hands and I was a tits man. There was no denying it. Why would I even think about using a powerful software system to hunt down private details about her life? I laughed at myself for such idiocy.
Then I realized while I’d been daydreaming, I managed to track down the veterinarian’s office and was in the parking lot. What the hell?
I sat with the engine running for a full minute before turning it off. Why not just try to learn her name. What could it hurt? I could walk away and never bother finding out if Indiana was okay. That would be the decent thing to do. Right?
After all, I’d been the one to cause the accident. If I were a decent man, which I wasn’t, I would find out if he was okay.
“Great. What the fuck are you doing?” Asking the questions out loud wasn’t like me any more than taking a second look at a woman after meeting and fucking her. Not that I’d fucked the beauty.
Yet.
The answer was right there. I was doing my job as the Underboss of the Prince Empire. The fact she was beautiful couldn’t stand in the way of doing what was necessary.
In my mind, I hoped she’d pass the test. I would hate to be forced to make an ugly decision.
