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“Tell your boss that I’ll meet him at Monroe’s in fifteen minutes,” I said.
“That’s not how this works-”
“He can meet me at Monroe’s in fifteen minutes, or he can meet Nero later,” I told him. “I honestly don’t care either way, Mr. Murphy.” I gave him a pointed look. “You might also want to let him know that my guard will be going with me.”
Noah bit the bottom of his lip before pulling his phone out, and I leaned back in my seat, awaiting the verdict. Growing up in this life, you’d think that I’d be used to overbearing men, but this was beginning to be a little too much for me. I couldn’t have these assholes showing up at my office every week just to test me. I really, genuinely, truly had better things to do.
“She said that she’ll meet you at Monroe’s in fifteen minutes,” Noah spoke into the phone. “It’s that or you can meet withSartori, she said. Her guard will also be attending the meeting, just so you know.” A few seconds went by before he said, “Okay, I’ll let her know.”
When he hung up, I asked, “What’s it going to be?”
“He’ll meet you at Monroe’s in fifteen minutes,”Noah confirmed. “The reservation will be under O’Brien. He will also have someone with him since you insist on bringing a guest.”
“Perfect,” I drawled out.
Noah Murphy stood up, grinning down at me. “It really was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Sartori.”
I stood up, even though it took some effort. “Mr. Murphy?”
“Yes?” he asked as he buttoned his suitjacket.
“Thenext time that you show up here, it better be to kill me,” I told him. “Not only do I no longer fear death, but I also don’t have the time, desire, nor the energy to deal with you people.”
“You people?” he chuckled.
“At least Nero has the decency to leaveme the hell alone,” I informed him. “That’s more than I can say for the rest of you.”
Noah’s smile was genuineenough to turn him from good-looking to gorgeous. “It really was a pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Sartori. Really.”
“Glad I could make your day,” Ireplied sarcastically.
The jerk threw me a wink before leaving my office, and I sat back down, needing a minute. Even though I was the one that agreed to this, I was beginning to feel the weight of this day hitting me hard. Nevertheless, I grabbed my pursefrom the drawer, then stood again to lock up, then let Rafael know that we had a business dinner to attend.
It’d taken every single one of those fifteen minutes to get me to Monroe’s because I wasn’t moving as quickly as I normally did. Still, when I walked up to the hostess podium, giving her Declan O’Brien’s name, she had rushed to escort me and Rafael to Declan’s table, the Irish Boss already seated with his guard.
When I approached the table, Declan immediately stood up, and at this moment, I hated that manners were sexy on a man. I should not be thinking anything positive about Declan O’Brien ever. He was just as highhanded as the rest of them, and I hadn’t been lying when I’d told Noah that I didn’t have any desire to deal with this bullshit.
Once I was seated, Declan sat back down, then got right to the point. “Is it possible for us to speak privately?”
“As long as my escort still has a clear view of you, so that he can shoot youin the head should it become necessary,” I agreed.
Declan grinned. “Noahsaid that you were something else.” He looked over at Rafael. “That table over there gives you plenty of access to Mrs. Sartori.”
“As long as your guard is keeping me company, then I’ll allow it,” Rafael replied smoothly, and that almost had me grinning myself.
Within seconds, Declan and I were alone at the table, and wanting to go home, I asked, “Whatam I doing here, Mr. O’Brien?”
“Honestly, Noah wasn’t lying to you,” he answered. “I really just wanted to meet the woman that has Nero Sartori painting the streets red for her.”
I laughed.
I laughed, and when I was done, I literally had to dry my eyes.
“What’s so funny?” Declan asked as he cocked his head at me.
“The way that you guys keep making me out to be more important than I am,” I answered truthfully. “My marriage to Nero was an arrangement between our fathers. He doesn’t love me, or even particularly like me much. He did what he did because he’s a Sartori and Emil Schulz dared to fuck with him. This weekend has nothing to do with me.”
“It’srumored that you took a bullet for him,” he remarked, and men really were worse gossips than women. “It was said that you were willing to die for him.”
