Hero: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (6 page)

“Do you mind? I really don’t want to—”

“Of course I don’t mind, honey. C’mon, I’ve missed you.”

I guided her to lie down and crawled in behind her, pulling the covers up over us as I tucked my arms around her and held her close. The single bed cramped us together like this, but we’d always loved sharing that closeness and body warmth. I felt the last of the tension release from her and closed my eyes, my own indecision earlier distracted by this more pressing concern.

“I hate this, Lots, how scared I get - I wish I could be like you. You’re so brave—everything you’re doing, and y-you’re not afraid—not of anything.”

I laughed, unable to help myself as I squeezed her tight.

“I’m scared all the time, Leah.”

She half-turned in my arms, startled.

“What?”

“It’s okay, it’s…normal, I think. Everyone gets scared. Sometimes really scared - you just find something to get you through it, try not to let it rule your life.”

Her arms clutched mine around her stomach and she shifted even closer to me.

“You’re what gets me through it, Lots.”

Her gentle sigh sounded content, and I could almost feel her start to drift, wrapped up in the feeling of safety she needed.

Unbidden, the thought echoed in my mind.

What about you, Lottie? What - or who - gets you through it?

So far, it had been my determination not to let them win, and I hadn’t given it more thought than that. Leah, too, was part of what kept me fighting.

But who makes you feel safe again?

I’d kept everything secret, trying to protect my family from the danger, trying to keep my fear and doubt to myself so they didn’t worry. I was suddenly hit by how hard it was to deal with it all alone, and the longing for what Leah had right now swept through me - secure arms wrapped around me, a reassuring voice in my ear. Simply knowing someone was there, looking out for me.

Almost simultaneously, Jason’s voice echoed in my mind.

What are you going to achieve by yourself?

And
I remembered how it had felt when he’d looked at me - touched me.

The last thing I wanted was to get involved with
another
mob group. It was stupid. Crazy stupid.

But then, I was getting good at crazy stupid.

I smiled almost inadvertently as the decision settled within me. Surprisingly, I finally relaxed, and I found myself starting to drift in only a few minutes, mind wandering to how good it would feel to have strong arms wrapping around
me
for once.

As foolish as that was.

*  *  *

“Okay, I’m in.”

The declaration didn’t seem to surprise him - maybe showing up had, but it was hard to tell - and I watched as he took a sip of his scotch, one corner of his mouth tugging upwards.

Yeah, definitely more class than Jorge.

He’d offered me one, but alcohol seemed like a terrible idea right now. Besides, just glancing around the nice room and stylish trappings made me a little uncomfortable. We were sitting opposite each other in front of the cheerful fake fireplace, and I felt almost swallowed up by the over-large chair.

He
looked right at home, of course, sitting back calmly as he looked at me, those ruggedly handsome features smoothed over by his sophisticated attitude and smart dress, but still there. As undeniable as the rough edge I’d seen in him from the beginning.

It made my heart pound in all the wrong ways, but I did my best to ignore it. That wasn’t what we were here for.

I’d done the self-doubt and questioning routine last night, and my decision was made. Once that was done, my own nerves faded and I could face others with my usual, unfailingly confident self. Maybe working with Jason would be a little different - subtle glances at that form-fitting shirt had already distracted me a couple of times - but what I wanted was too important to let myself worry about that.

Instead, I focused my attention on watching him. I was fascinated by what I thought I saw in him - wanted to understand how, why.

Was he really a good guy? Could I trust him? Why the hell did I feel so sure?!

And while the room and conversation didn’t seem to bother him the way that it did me, if anything it had been
that
focus of mine that had provoked him last night.

After a long pause where it felt like he was searching me for something, he nodded, his face impassive.

“You should understand the risk—”

“Still trying to warn me off?”

I raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement showing.

“No - not anymore, but you should know. This is dangerous, and as much as I’d like to say our protection will help, it could end badly for you.”

The momentary bleakness that came into his tone sent shivers down my spine. It was almost as if he’d already resigned himself to that end - written me off.

So much for feeling safe.

But despite that fanciful idea last night, I knew better, and feeling safe was the last thing I’d expected in coming here. Maybe some stupid part of me couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like to have those strong arms around me, his swirling green eyes protective and fierce, but I wasn’t fooling myself.

Whatever I’d seen yesterday, this was business - and I expected what I saw now. Calm. Professional. Expressionless.

It didn’t matter. I wasn’t doing this for myself, and if it could make a difference…I’d take his help. Both his and Valentini’s.

“I do know.”

As dangerous as my little book was, this was completely different. I might not want to think about it too much, but I knew what Jorge and his guys did to people for this.

Jason didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he nodded again, accepting it.

I was a little infuriated by how hard it was to read him - I couldn’t even tell whether he was pleased I’d come or not. Yesterday it had been far easier to get glimpses of the man underneath that disciplined exterior, but then I guessed having him wake up disoriented after the beating helped with that. Today he was prepared, the walls were up, and he wasn’t giving anything away - even any evidence of that beating was gone, as if the guy didn’t notice the bruises I knew his body was covered in.

“So how’s this going to work, Jason?”

He met my eyes with that same, distant look, and I recalled how he’d managed to sit there, almost bored, through the negotiation with Jorge.

Had I misread him?

“You tell us what you can, and we’ll protect you as best we can.”

I frowned.

“That’s not what I meant - what are you going to do with what I tell you? What’s your plan?”

I needed to know that this would make a difference, but he just shook his head.

“That’s our business.”

“Like hell it is. I have about as much interest in working for Valentini as I do for Jorge - and certainly not for some half-assed
protection
. If you can’t tell me how me doing this will help sort out these streets, I’m done.”

He paused for a moment, that measuring stare back on me, but as if he was actually seeing me this time. Maybe the nice trappings of this hotel room and his controlled, sophisticated approach had misled him into thinking this was another of his
business
deals, but I wasn’t going to get sucked into that.

Finally, he shrugged.

“Okay. We’ll see what information you can get, but we expect most of it to be used simply to keep things under control - gain gradual advantage. Valentini’s focus is on consolidating his influence, in a way that doesn’t attract too much attention - from the gangs or authorities. So honestly, I doubt you’ll see much happen openly. We won’t want to reveal you either. But if we understand their business, their support, their activities…it makes it all that much easier to slowly undermine it. And then when he’s ready, Valentini can clean up what remains. Understand?”

It was pretty much what I’d assumed - and in fact, if they’d suggested trying for an all-out war, I would never have gone for it. He was right in what he’d said the night before, this was better than that. A chance to have their influence and power die much more naturally - perhaps giving the kids who were caught up in it now an opportunity to look at other options. Nothing guaranteed, but probably better than the foolish
expose
I could attempt. At least, so long as…

“And then Valentini takes over where they left off?”

The challenge was obvious, but I couldn’t bring myself to hide it. I wasn’t looking to play politics with different groups - I wanted something
different.
Better.

“Maybe - but Valentini doesn’t let kids run around openly with guns and knives. As I said, he doesn’t want attention. Plus, if it matters, I think he wants to make something of the city. Street gangs are never going to be more than a parasite, taking what they can. The Italians…they’ve got bigger ambitions, and if Cleveland grows, so does Valentini’s family position.”

“Great.”

I couldn’t help the muttered response, or the way my nose wrinkled at the thought. Jason surprised me with a brief grin, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking and found my distaste amusing. If I hadn’t been distracted by the way that grin briefly melted the lines off his face, bringing out a spark that had my mind wandering in completely inappropriate directions, I would have been cursing him for it.

Instead, I focused on the obvious message: I didn’t have a choice about that part. With a sigh, I ran a hand through my hair.

“Okay.”

“You know, for someone so opposed to Cleveland’s underworld, you’ve ended up surprisingly embroiled within it.”

“Maybe that’s because I care.”

I responded without thinking, too distracted by my own thoughts, but his brief reaction had my attention snapping back again. It was gone before I caught it, but it brought out the same feeling I’d had last night - a brief intensity, some undercurrent between us that I wanted to understand more of.

A quick glance at him made it obvious it was better left unsaid - his face was blank again, full business mode. I took the hint, wanting to be clear on what was expected anyway.

“Okay, so what sort of information are you thinking here?”

“Anything you can easily come by. Jorge’s activities, his suppliers and affiliations with other groups, where his business and support comes from. Anything to do with money - where it comes from, flows to, that’s usually telling. We want to know who they are, where they came from and how they operate.”

He paused for a moment while I considered that, but spoke again before I could.

“Like, for example, the guys in the warehouse yesterday. Do you know what they were doing there?”

“No.”

It had been pure luck that I even knew they’d been there.

He nodded, but he was looking at me intensely.

“Okay, well it would be really useful if you could find out—”

“I don’t ask questions.”

I met his eyes firmly with my response, giving a clear
non-negotiable
vibe.

This
was what I’d wanted to get to. My position within Jorge’s gang was carefully managed, and while I got to hear some things, there were risks that I wasn’t going to take.

After a moment he nodded, taking another sip of the scotch before asking his question quietly.

“What
do
you do?”

I met that gaze head-on, my expression as controlled as his now, and my answer deliberate.

“Nothing.”

That was the other decision I’d made. I might have revealed too much in our discussion last night, but that didn’t mean I was going to tell all now. What I’d been doing was none of their business, and my secrets were mine to keep.

I drew that line in the sand and waited, silently daring him to step over it.

From the look he gave me, that message was received loud and clear. He kept quiet for a long moment while he considered, but I knew he didn’t have any leverage here - that was the nice thing about this negotiation. I wasn’t invested enough in the result.

That was confirmed when he gave a small nod, acknowledging that line.

“I’ll do what I can, but what I learn may well be haphazard. I don’t go seeking these things out - it doesn’t work that way.”

I struggled briefly to put it into words, explain how I made it work, but to my surprise his expression eased.

“Good. I’m glad that - despite appearances - you do actually think about what you’re doing. Do what you have to, and if nothing comes of it, we’re still no worse off.”

I might have been offended if I hadn’t been amused.

“If that’s the impression you get, then what I’m doing is working.”

That got me a quirk of his mouth before he sobered again, the shift in attitude narrowing my focus to what he was about to say.