Page 16 of Vicious Kingdom

I shook his a bit too firmly. Annaliese’s behavior rattled me.

“Good to see you, sir,” Flannigan boomed. “And who’s your little friend?”

The temptress smiled radiantly and reached to shake hands. “Annaliese Hertz.”

My blood heated, and I had to clench my jaw hard to keep from saying something I would regret.

Annaliese was mine to destroy.

Which meant I was keeping her away from others.

“How about a picture together? It’s not every day two such prominent members grace our event,” the green fucker said, brogue thick.

Annaliese moved into his space, ready to let him put his arm around her.

Oh, hell no.

I tugged her around, putting myself in a bro-half-hug with my family’s sworn enemy. If Flannigan cared, he didn’t show it. No doubt, like any good mobster, he only saw the gold.

Wrapping my other arm around Annaliese, we posed as close friends for the cameras. It was a wonder my sinister smile didn’t break the lenses.

The coordinator boomed over the speakers, announcing that it was time to begin the work. The press would hang back, snapping photos for a while.

Annaliese tugged out of my grip and hurried to her assignment.

“Thank you for your donation,” Flannigan said, stopping me from following. “If you’re ever interested in more investments, this community is the one to beat.”

I pinned the mobster with a look. He was propositioning me. What would he say if he knew the truth about me?

But what if….

“I would love to talk more,” I insisted, shaking his hand heartily. The idea of the Italians owning Irish territory was too good to pass.

The don would be pleased. And the Irish wouldn’t be able to figure out how Alessandro did it.

“Say, what’s the story there?” Flannigan jerked his chin to the side.

It was hard not to stare. Annaliese was reaching up to take down a hard hat from a temporary wall that held toolboxes, clothing, and equipment. While everyone else had on proper working attire, she was in a white skirt and athletic tank top that formed to her body. Stretching up like that to reach the hard hat—

It was sexy.

My dick twitched.

“She’s off the market,” I snapped.

The Irishman chuckled. “Of course she is. A man would be a fool not to snap that one up.”

I grunted and hurried to her.

“Mr. Baldwin, you’re with the sheetrock crew.” An organizer handed me a set of equipment.

“I’m with Miss Hertz.”

“Sorry, no more painting positions are available. It’s sheetrock or plumbing—” the worker squeaked.

“I said painting.”

“Oh, Leonard, leave the poor man alone,” Annaliese laughed. “You’re here to work, right?”