Page 140 of Unlock My Heart

“My office,” I tell him, and we head to the carriage house. Opening my office door with the hand sensor, I flip on the light and wait for Saint to get inside before closing and locking up behind him.

“What’s wrong, boss?” Saint asks.

“As soon as the final guest leaves, I want the entire property swept for bugs.” Explaining what I found in the guest bathroom, I tell him, “Make sure the phone isn’t sending out a tracking signal, and leave it hidden with new cameras installed in the guest bathroom. I want our rat caught in the act.”

“On it.” Except he lingers.

I let out a frustrated sound from the back of my throat. “Go ahead and say it: I fucked up big with my girl tonight.”

“Yes.”

My face twists. “Well, I did ask for honesty.”

“This party wasn’t for your wife’s benefit, but yours; a coronation of sorts.”

“Maybe not this much honesty,” I grumble.

“How did you win her affection before?” Saint wonders.

“Fuck if I know.” I rub the back of my head. “We just were….” Everything, until I was a fool and called her nobody.

My head falls into my hands.

“And so now you’re going to have to work for it. May I suggest another grand gesture, like the New York trip?”

“Yeah,” I say, dropping my hands.

“You don’t need the approval of the family; you’re the boss by right. You need the approval of your wife, and that doesn’t come by right, or by force.”

“Enough honesty,” I snap at him, locking up my office and rejoining the party.

Everyone mills about to greet my return, kissing the ring; kissing my ass. All pomp and circumstance, not real respect.

And dammit, I want real respect.

Angelo, from all accounts, ran this business well, if not a little OCD, but that’s my brother. What if I take the helm and fuck it up?

Proving Vitto right.

I release a harsh breath.

“Boss, did you hear me? What are your thoughts on opening back up the skin trade?” A capo asks me. “We’d all like to see it back up and running.”

Maybe I was wrong. It’s not revenge I’m after with Vitto, but like a dumbass, I’m still seeking his approval.

“Not happening.”

Fuck the family’s approval, and fuck this need to win the approval of a ghost. I’m the boss, and I’m gonna run things my way. And by my way, I mean not doing anything to hurt Sienna more than I already have.

Maybe I don’t deserve this second chance with her, but I’m going to do everything in my power to make things right between us.

Chapter Forty-One

Sienna

The present

“Before you see yourself in the mirror, you have to promise me that you won’t maul my face off,” I warn Lacey.