Page 9 of The Mobster’s Present

Salvatore stands with the grace that is surprising for a man of his size and stature, but it’s predatorial in a way that makes perfect fucking sense. “No problem,” he offers me his hand, “I’ll take care of you.”

I stare at his hand, my eyebrows pulling together before I look between the offering and his dark eyes. “What are you talking about? This is going to sound horrible,” I sigh, unable to try and pretend this isn’t what it is, “I just need money.”

“I’m aware of what you need, la mia piccola leonessa,” he purrs the endearment and a shiver, which has no business doing what it’s doing at a time like this, works its way down my spine. “You can cancel the fight tomorrow. I have access to a private jet. We’ll take that back to LA.”

Oaklynn pipes up, like this is a perfectly normal conversation, “Oh, please, let my family get you back to LA. We’ll also bring you back when Oriana is discharged.” She says it like it’s already done; Salvatore nods in acknowledgement and thanks.

My voice is dazed, “Bring me back when Oriana is discharged.”

“Of course,” her tone is breezy as she winks at me. “I love her name, by the way, it’s beautiful.”

“Thank you,” the words feel thick in my mouth as I force them out. “I’m a little confused.”

“Which part are you finding confusing?” Dove asks the question with her head tilted to the side as she looks up from whatever she’s already writing on the paper.

“You believe me? That Oriana is Romeo’s child? That she’s sick?” I’m aware I may be shooting myself in the foot, but I can’t help but point out, “People lie all the time. I could just be trying to get money out of you?”

Dove laughs, actually laughs. Salvatore straightens, but he doesn’t step away or sit back down. I feel him watching me and waiting patiently. He hasn’t forgotten his offer, his intent.

Once she calms down, amusement continues to dance in her eyes. “First, you brought up the possibility that you could be coning us.” I huff and roll my eyes before hazarding a glance at Salvatore to find him watching me. Still. Steady. “Most importantly, if you and I knew Romeo in any way similar, which I believe we did,” she holds my gaze for a long, weighted moment that doesn’t need to be voiced, “then the only thing that could bring you back is something this big.”

Dove wiggles her eyebrows. “You’re family.” Her gaze flashes toward Salvatore and something wicked curls her mouth that is all lust, as she adds, “Apparently, in more ways than one.”

When I look up at Salvatore, he extends his hand again, like he didn’t mind waiting at all. How fucking strange.

My hand slides into his, my body acting without any input from the brain that is a little more concerned about the situation. He pulls me up gently and releases my hand, his arm sliding around my waist with a natural precision that should be startling but is grounding.

“Would you go home and fill Angelo in? We’ll be by tomorrow morning. I’d like to be there when he calls Moretti,” he’s speaking to Dove but he’s looking at me.

I snap out of it when arms gently wrap around me. Dove pulls back and asks softly, “Do you have a picture I can see now? I know Salvatore will get our numbers in your phone and will probably clone yours, and steal all your photos or something else invasive and oddly sweet.”

I blink at her a few times before pulling out my phone and opening up the photos; they’re all of Oriana anyway. Ignoring everything else she just said is for the best right now.

“She’s beautiful,” Dove gushes.

Oaklynn’s head pops up over her shoulder and her eyes widen. “She looks like a doll. How sweet.” Her face crumples and she looks at me with so much pain in her eyes. “I’m so sorry that she’s sick. She’s not alone anymore and everything will be taken care of. Seattle has amazing medical facilities. I know the mayor’s wife, and she sits on at least one board. I’ll call her tomorrow,” she chirps.

“That’s enough for tonight,” Salvatore’s tone is firm. “She needs to get some rest.”

Just as he says it, I swear I feel my body drain of the last of my energy. It took everything in me to walk into this building expecting to face the demon of my past.

Dove giggles, “Good luck.”

“What?”

Salvatore gently leads me out of the office before I even know what’s going on.

“Bye,” Oaklynn calls out.

“See you soon,” Dove chimes in.

I swear I hear both of them start to giggle right before the door closes. Salvatore keeps us moving until I’m in the passenger seat of a car that is way too nice for, well, just about anything. The most surprising thing is that I don’t even consider telling him to stop.

CHAPTER 4

SALVATORE

I can feel the walls Ashleigh is building brick by brick. She thinks it’ll be enough, even though she still hasn’t told me to turn around or take her to a hotel. I’ll play this game.