Page 64 of Beguiled

Why was it that I was smiling as I walked down the stairs?

* * *

“A full report. I want to know everything about my employee.” I stood outside my cousin’s house, waiting for him to open the door. Roman had been assigned to me from day one. Thankfully the man had a master’s degree in economics in addition to having served in the American military. He was a killing machine, which at this point might come in handy.

I wasn’t in a patient mood.

“Yes, sir. Including her family?”

“Absolutely.”

“You got it, sir. I’ll have it on your desk by the end of day,” Roman answered.

“Good enough.” Even before I ended the call, I pounded on the door again.

As soon as my cousin yanked open the door, I moved inside.

“And good morning to you too. Ever hear of the phone?”

“This is personal.”

“Hmm… What in the fuck is wrong with you this morning?”

Dimitri sounded exactly the same as Sean had in my earlier conversation and it was already seven in the morning. Didn’t anyone get up early any longer? He also looked like shit, as if he’d had a rough night. Likely partying, the playboy in him refusing to back down even at his advanced age of almost forty.

I pushed my way in, heading to his kitchen. We were family after all.

He scoffed behind me, grumbling as he trailed behind. I didn’t wait for him to offer any hospitality, moving to the Keurig machine. I’d stopped by my house long enough to shower and change.

As well as fume over how to continue handling my employee. All while suffering through full arousal during the entire shower. I’d skipped coffee altogether, but I could use a cup to keep me from crawling out of my skin.

“Alright. Why don’t you tell me the reason for this early visit because I know you well enough to know when you’re enraged about something.”

After shoving a mug under the stream of liquid, I turned toward him. “I was at Strike Zone last night, checking on our buddy Sean. Lo and behold, there was an attack. Now, while thejury is out, my strong suspicions are that the assailants were working for the Armenians. As you suggested. However, I find it interesting that if what you said was true and that the current leader is days away from being shoved from office, then why pick a fight with the Irish?”

For a few seconds, he acted as if he was truly concerned about my welfare. “Were you injured?”

“No, but I added a few notches on my belt. Had you heard about a possible attack?”

“Hell, no. They were after Sean?”

“Maybe.” The coffee had barely stopped dripping before I pulled the mug. He stared at me as if debating whether to tell me something or ask.

“Another fight?”

“A way of keeping track of our… partners.”

“You mean a way of controlling your rage,” he corrected. “One day you need to talk about why.”

He wasn’t stupid. He knew how much being coerced into joining the family business had irritated the hell out of me. I didn’t like being pigeonholed into anything.

I took a few seconds to laugh before sipping the hot coffee. “Did you encourage Sean to ask for my assistance?”

“Why would I do that?” The fights were no secret, although neither my brother nor my cousin approved but they saw wisdom in my logic.

“What are you worried about? That this girl will sell our secrets? Or is this all about the possibility Mikhail remained in town.”

There’d been sightings of him all over the world, which could be fabricated.