Page 45 of His Puppet

“This isn’t a big deal,” I say, tossing her another glance. “I just need you to impress a couple of people.”

She nods but doesn’t look at me. “Okay.”

My eyebrows pinch, and I turn off the gravel road onto the highway. “Is something wrong?”

“No, sir,” she says, fear tinging her voice.

I turn my head and squint at her a moment, as if whatever it is will be written on her somewhere.

This isn’t at all what I was expecting when I went to pick her up. Last night, I couldn’t get her to shut up. She goaded me, even insulted me. She came around my cock and slept in my bed. When Settimo asked me to bring the girl to him, I was expecting to have to scare her into at leastactinglike a good girl. Instead, I’m considering consoling her.

We’re entering the city when Emily finally says something.

“So when you say I need to impress a couple of people… What exactly do you mean?”

I glance at her tense body when we stop at a red light. “The don and the underboss want to see you. I’m assuming you know what those titles mean?”

She swallows and nods.

“They’re just curious about you. They were impressed by the job you did for me, and they want to meet you.”

Emily looks down at her lap and picks at her nails some more. “If they were impressed then, why do I need to impress them now?”

I look up at the green light and follow the cars in front of me. With as scared as she already seems, I don’t want to answer her. Because this meetingisa big deal. Lorenzo knows she lied about her name, and he knows she attacked a capo. He thinks she’s a threat, which, if I’m being honest, I agree.

I glance at Emily, who’s now staring at me, but I take my time to answer.

I told myself all morning, the outcome of this meeting would have no effect on me, but I’ve been lying to myself. I don’t want Emily to die. As much of a brat as she is, she’s tough. Smart. Resourceful. Cunning.Sexy.

Sofucking sexy.

And she reminds me of who I used to be, how I got my start. I impressed someone once. It’s the reason I’m alive today. She deserves the opportunity to pledge her loyalty to us, same as I earned years ago.

Unfortunately, I don’t think Lorenzo feels the same. I have a great amount of pull with Settimo. He’ll listen to me. But he’ll listen to his brother more closely.

“Are they as dangerous as you?” she asks, her voice quiet.

My brow furrows, and I glance her way. She’s staring out the windshield again.

“As dangerous as me? You haven’t exactly treated me as if I’m a great threat.”

“Yes, well…” She takes a breath. “That was stupid of me. I apologize.”

What?

I open my mouth to speak, then think better of it. I shouldn’tcorrecther for being afraid of me. She should be afraid of me.

Then why don’t I like it?

“Settimo, the don, can be forgiving if I ask him to be. Lorenzo, the underboss and Settimo’s brother, not so much. Just do what I tell you to, and you’ll be fine. All right?”

She nods and takes another breath, sitting up straight in her seat. “What do you want me to do?”

The casino comes into my view, and I’m silent as I pull around to the back of it. After I park the car, I turn to face Emily.

“I want you to steal Lorenzo’s wallet.”

Her eyes narrow, and she waits a moment like she thinks I’ll have more to say.

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