"Did you help your father by just doing things how you wanted?"
Streaks of heat pass through me, and I'm on my feet so fast my head spins. "You don't mention him, understand?"
But Enzo leans back in his chair and watches me with naked interest. "I think I'm your boss, so I can ask that."
I'm placid. Normally.
I like to keep to myself. Mostly.
I'm not violent. At least, I never thought I was, but he makes me want to launch myself at him and pummel him. Scratch out his eyes. Plunge the decorative letter opener on the desk into his chest.
Of course, I don't do anything of the latter.
But the rest?
I growl low and lean on his desk. "You might be my boss, but the history between our families should stay that—history." What am I doing? I make myself straighten up. Step back. "And if you must know, no. I didn't help Dad do anything. I don't even really know much of what he did, except do jobs for turncoats and criminals like you and your father."
His eyebrows rise. He places a hand on his heart. "I wasn't that old when they fell out, Lola."
"Older than me."
"True, but do I look like I'm dabbling in bad shit?"
Before I can say a word, he holds up a hand.
"Forget it."
I just glare at him.
"And, Lola, whether you learned to do things from your father, a stranger on the street, or someone else here, it is irrelevant. As long as you work for me, you do it my way."
I swallow over the lump in my throat, over the fire and anger and resentment that makes the backs of my eyes hurt.
"Yes... sir." And I turn and walk to the doors.
I'm almost there when he speaks.
"Where the fuck are you going, Lola?"
"To do the work you want me to do, sir."
He smiles slow, sexy, smug.
I want to smack it off his stupidly good-looking face.
"We still need to go over what I called you in here for. So, turn around and sit down."
"Yes, sir."
The smile grows.
It is going to be a long, horrible day.
The meeting he calls me into with him is nothing more than a flex. He is in control. He is pulling the strings.
And my brain tries to escape numerous times as he tells me how to do my job.
I know how to do it.
