Man had fucking ice in his veins. Most people had the sense to shudder when I raised my voice, but Sweeney wasn’t easily intimidated. That’s what I liked about him. It also helped that my family donated thousands to his research and hospital annually.
“I need an untainted blood sample to do my own testing. Any way you could bring Mrs. Sterling in for an appointment?”
I ground my teeth. “Not possible.”
Not without killing her worthless husband, and I promised Willow.
“I can do without seeing her in person if you can get me a fresh blood draw that I can test. The doctor of record, Angelo Hart, has a host of ethics violations and I can’t use anything he’s collected.”
My nails dug into the supple wood.
“If he has ethics violations, why is he allowed to practice still?” I spat.
“Deep pockets,” Sweeney said.
“Mine are deeper. Fix it, Sweeney. Get his license yanked. Ensure that Isabelle Sterling gets seen by a credible doctor.”
He sucked in a slow breath, and a vein in my neck pulsed.
“It’s not that simple, Mr. Finnegan. He doesn’t work for me.”
“Make it simple,” I cut in, the threat in my tone unmistakable.
“I will work on it,” he answered, defeated. “But it will take time.”
“Fine. I will see if I can get you a blood sample in the interim.”
Without waiting for his answer, I ended the call. Falling backinto my chair, I pushed my cell across the desk as I booted up my computer, finding the contracts Dimitri sent over last week.
I spent most of the day digging into all the fine print. I didn’t trust him not to sneak something in. After I finished my review, I would send them over to our attorney, but I always liked to do a first pass myself.
I picked at the food Aileen dropped off.
Every so often, my focus drifted to Willow, wondering what she was doing. She was the most beautiful distraction, and more than once I thought about fucking off and finding my sweet omega. My pants tightened at the image of her sprawled out on our bed, naked and reading.
“Fuck,” I grunted when I knock at the door interrupted my increasingly filthy thoughts. “What?!”
Unbothered by my outrage, Torin pushed open the door. Standing in front of me, he crossed his arms, his face pinched.
“Boss,” Torin said. “Massimo Rossi is at the gate, requesting a meeting with you.”
Massimo Rossi. The only son of Vittorio Rossi. Vittorio had a daughter around Liam’s age. I rarely heard of her, surprised he hadn’t married her off yet. Seemed the type to use his children to solicit his own power.
While Vittorio was a bastard, Massimo had always been respectful in any dealings I had with him. Based on his body language, he didn’t always agree with his father’s action, but like the loyal son he was, kept his feelings to himself.
At least in public.
“What does he want?” I snapped.
“Said Vittorio sent him to negotiate terms.”
Alarm bells went off. Something in my gut didn’t sit well with the surprise visit. Massimo wasn’t stupid, not like his father. Coming into my home, even if he had an army at his disposal, would mean certain death. And Vittorio wouldn’t risk his only heir on some half-arsed suicide mission.
“How many men does he have with him?”
“One.”
My fingers stilled as they circled the rim of my glass.
