Page 14 of The Mobster’s Secret

“Cole—”

“I’m sorry, but that’s it. I’ve got to go.” He backs quickly out, averting his eyes again. “If you’re not gone by tonight, I’ll have to get my cousins to come escort you out. Don’t make me do that.”

And like that, he races off like he’s been stung by a bee.

“Cole’s cousins are big,” I say, turning to Greta. She nods slowly. I can see she’s already thinking about what we’re going to do. “Thankfully we don’t have much stuff.”

“Yeah,” she laughs sarcastically. “One of the perks of being broke!”

Chewing my lip, I think back to last night. Part of me wants to get pissed at Greta for even inviting me to the club, but that would be wrong. She was just trying to help me make some money after I lost my job.

The real problem here is Ivan.

Ivan Oleff, the king of New York City, so powerful and so terrifying that even being seen with him is enough to get you evicted. If there’s anyone to be pissed off at, it’s him. And the worst part is, I don’t even know how to contact him. If I had a phone number or something, maybe I could get him involved, get him to talk to Cole or something and convince him to let us stay.

But nope. I was too caught up in post-orgasmic bliss and my briefcase of money to even think about asking him.

“That smug bastard,” I mutter under my breath. “I never should have taken his money.”

Greta waves a dismissive hand in the air. “That was the whole point, Willow. Remember? Go to the club to make bank?”

Sighing, I nod, feeling deflated. “Yeah, but now look what I’ve gotten us into. And not just me, you too!”

“It’s not your fault. But come on, we better start packing and figuring out where we’re going tonight. Unless you want to sleep on the streets.”

It’s almost time for dinner once Greta and I are done packing up. We’re both tired and sweaty and just decide to leave the Ikea desk and old couch in the living room. Cole can have them, or the next tenants, but neither of us is carrying them downstairs tonight.

Despite Greta being so nice about this, I still can’t stop feeling like this is all my fault. I was the one who agreed to dance for Ivan. I was the one who went the extra mile with him. And that’s why I’m the one paying for the hotel room tonight—with his money.

Still, as I carry the briefcase out of the building, I can’t help but feel like I’m now a criminal too. I mean, I’m carrying around mob money as proof that I belong to him. If only he were here right now…the things I would say to him. The names I’d call him.

“This way,” I tell Greta. We start to walk up the block in the direction of the hotel when a black SUV with tinted windows pulls out from across the street. Normally, I’d think nothing of it. But after the day I’ve had, I’m pretty suspicious. And it turns out I’m right to be.

One of Ivan’s guys from the club is at the wheel. He parks in front of us, halfway on the sidewalk, like he owns the city.

“Get in,” he tells us.

Greta gives me the what-the-hell eye.

“Excuse me?” I reply.

“Ivan sent me to keep an eye on you,” he says. “You may be in danger. Now get in.”

5

IVAN

Tom knows to just wait when I go quiet. After serving me for so many years, he’s learned to recognize when the rage is flowing through me.

And right now, my fists are balled so tight they hurt.

“It must have been Vincent,” I hiss.

“He’s spreading the word all around town,” Tom replies.

I drive my fist into the mirror, shattering it. I don’t lose my temper. But ever since I first set eyes on Willow, my behavior has changed dramatically. I let myself fall for her, spend money on her, pleasure her. And now I’m thinking about her safety when I should be focused on expanding my empire.

“He thinks he can get to me through her.” My chest is tight as I stare out the window at the fountain and motor court. “Evicting a young woman like that. Despicable.”