Page 15 of The Mobster’s Secret

“Brian called in a few minutes ago,” Tom says. “He’s bringing her here now.”

“She wasn’t hurt, right?” I whirl. “Because if anything happened to her, Brian’s going to be in deep shit.”

A momentary vision of one of Vincent’s men harassing Willow enters my mind. The already scorching anger deep in my gut swirls, and I nearly fly off the handle.

“Out!” I bark at my men, and they quickly spill out of my office. I pour myself a stiff scotch and down half of it.

I knew I should have just taken her home with me last night. I never should have left the club without her. But Willow isn’t just another woman; she’s a fiery little sprite that knows how to stand up for herself. Pushing her last night would have only led to an argument, maybe even a big fight. And after what happened between us in the VIP section, that’s the last thing I wanted to happen.

But now, with Vincent’s eyes on her, things are going to change. And quickly.

Headlights appear at the front gate. My heart leaps. I down the rest of my scotch and quickly make my way downstairs. Brian is pulling up just as I’m coming outside. The back door to the SUV opens, and my legs turn to stone as Willow hops out, her eyes blazing.

She’s wearing a ratty old pair of jeans and a baggy sweatshirt, her hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and she still looks like the vision of beauty. An absolute goddess. My blood starts racing.

Christ, it’s like I haven’t seen her for ages. It’s been less than twenty-four hours, and my body is reacting like an addict’s. I don’t just want this woman; I need her. A brief flash of calm comes over me, dampening the fire raging inside.

But it’s short-lived as Willow marches right up to me and sticks her finger in my face.

“Just what do you think you are doing, huh? Dragging us over here like we’re a couple of stray dogs?”

Us? What does she mean us?

But then I look past her and see another girl hopping out of the truck. I remember seeing her briefly at the club last night when I came in.

“And you are…?” I ask, but I already know the answer.

“Greta. I’m Willow’s roommate.”

I nod to Brian. “Take Greta here to the building in Brooklyn. Put her up in the vacant on the third floor. Anything she needs.” I pull two grand from my pocket and hand it to her. “I apologize for inconveniencing you today. If you need anything else, Brian will give you his contact information.”

For a second, she opens her mouth to protest, but when she sees the wad of cash in her hand, she shuts up. “Come on, Willow—”

“No.” I shake my head. “Just you. Willow is staying here.”

“Like hell she is!”

“Like hell I am!” Willow’s voice sparks back at me, bratty as it was last night at the club. And for some reason, it threatens to make me smile.

“It’s not safe for you to leave,” I tell her. “You’ll stay here at least until I can make sure you’re safe.”

I love the fire in her eyes, but I sure as hell didn’t expect her to protest this much. Half an hour ago, she was homeless, and now she’s being invited to live in one of the most expensive mansions in all of New York.

Guess I can safely say she’s not after me for my money.

“And whose fault is that?” she snaps. “The fact that I’m not safe?”

My lips form a straight line as I stare back at her. She’s got me there, but it changes nothing.

“Mine.” I nod. “Which also means I’m now responsible for your safety.”

There’s a flicker of something in her face as she looks back at me. Almost like she appreciates what I just said. As much as she likes to spar with me, Willow needs a man like me to take control. To lead. I can see the desire dripping off her.

“Brian, take Greta now.” I lower the tone of my voice so the girls know I’m not messing around. I hear a sharp intake of breath from Willow, and Greta actually takes a step back. She whispers something to Willow, then gets back in the truck.

There’s a moment of silence as they pull away. The wind blows her lime and coconut scent into my nostrils again, and I have to stop myself from leaping on her and snatching all her clothes off.

How did this girl do this to me?