AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I think she could help in other ways after she’s done collecting this information. She could be useful in our trades, tracking leaks, stakeouts,” Ben said, almost pleading.
“You listen to me, boy,” the Don said, leaning forward. “You’re going to get the information, use her to your advantage, and end it.”
Ben stared at the Don silently before nodding and turning to the door.
“Ben,” the Don called out. Ben turned around with an annoyed exhale.
“You’re not partners with her, friends, or close. Youuseher.”
Ben said nothing as he turned and exited the lounge, grimacing. His heart raced as he entered his office. He began packing his things to go home for the night as his mind swirled with thoughts.
The idea of something happening to Liz made him feel physically ill. Yes, she was a pawn at first, but after that night in her apartment, he saw a new woman. She was intelligent, witty, and persuasive. She matched him in every way, and no woman had ever been able to do that.
He thought of his exes and the random girls he picked up throughout the years. They had always fawned over him, fallen over every word he said. She was brash. His techniques didn’t work on her, and hers almost worked on him. It was attractive, knowing she could stand up to him even when he was in his most intimidating state.
He left the club through the back door and walked to his white Mercedes, shutting the door and sinking into the seat. There was nothing he could do. Going against the Don meant he would be taking a nice flight to Brazil himself.
* * *
Later that night,he writhed and stirred in bed. His mind continued to wander through possible solutions and certain doubts. He thought of whisking her away to a new country, but there were international ties to the mob everywhere. He thought of pleading with the Don again, but that would go nowhere. Maybe if he married her ...
He stopped. Marriage? He sighed and rolled over. He had never really wanted to be tied down to anyone, even if he was in a relationship. They were all temporary, and there were always better women out there to choose from.
His heart dropped to his gut when he thought of him roping her into this. He should have left her alone. Lied and told the Don that he had killed her that night.
After racking his brain with possibilities, he decided he would consistently meet dead ends. He breathed deeply and relaxed his muscles, letting himself drift off to sleep. He didn’t dream that night and woke up feeling like he didn’t sleep at all.
Ben sat in his office the next evening and yawned while watching the sunset out his window. He looked back at the spreadsheet on his computer. The business was doing well, but the numbers still didn’t add up. They had consistently not been able to meet their overhead expenses.
Ben added up the cost of liquor, outfits for the girls, maintenance, and payroll. The numbers seemed suspicious, but no single one seemed out of place. He wondered where the charges were coming from, how they hadn’t been added to the spreadsheets. The family was cunning and intelligent.
He always thought he could sniff out a rat from a mile away. Apparently, his senses had failed him. He thought of the faces he had seen in the club night after night. Everyone was a suspect. He rarely let his emotions consume him, but he couldn’t help feeling completely isolated at that moment.
He was startled by a knock on his door. Taking his hands away from his face, he crossed his legs and swiveled in his chair to face it.
“Enter,” he said loudly.
“Mr. Moretti?” One of the hostesses opened the door.
“Yes, Mikayla?”
“Elizabeth Savage wants to speak to you,”
He felt a burst of panic in his chest. His heart began to pound. He wanted to warn her, take her far away, but he knew she didn’t trust him yet.
“Let her in,” he said, waving.
Mikayla nodded and motioned for Liz to enter the room. She walked in, dressed in a black camisole and tight leggings. She carried her gym bag in with her and dropped it on the floor.
“Hey, Ben!” she said cheerily. He raised his eyebrows in shock. She sounded like the girl at the gym again, peppy and optimistic.
“Well, that’s a surprise,” he said with a smile.
“What is?” she said, standing tall and flipping her hair over her shoulder.
“You’re cheerful tonight. Last night you seemed a little …” he looked her over, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands, “disconcerted.”
“Well,” she said, approaching him. She leaned over, placing both of her hands on the desk. “I think I have something for you.”
