Gio

That was rough.

But really, I’m not sure I’ll ever be done with her.

It was hours before the Irish assholes finally arrived to collect. Annie spent the entire time silent and waiting for me to attack her again. Fear was the reaction I wanted, it was the best way to keep her in line, but damn if I didn’t want her to look at me with a different emotion right now.

Any emotion would do.

I made Frank wait before answering the door. I didn’t want them to think we were just waiting around here for them, even if we were.

“They’ll just break it down.” Annie whispers. She was on the edge of her seat now and her leg was bouncing twenty miles per hour. I gave her a sharp look to silence her.

There were three enforcers that entered her apartment once Frank answered the door. Overkill if you ask me considering she was barely 5’5 and had no muscle on her bones.

“Got herself some backup this time, boys.” The first one who entered remarked at the sight of Frankie, Charlie, and I with Annie.

“Henry O’Donnell, to what do I owe this pleasure.” Henry didn’t extend his hand to shake. He stood in the doorway of Annie’s apartment looking at me expectantly.

“I’m taking over Johnny Byrne’s debt,” I replied sharply.

Direct.

To the point.

With someone else I might have schmoozed, but these men were just flying monkeys for Niall O’Connor. And frankly? I don’t give a shit about Niall O’Connor.

“Are ya?” Henry raises an eyebrow.

I toss him the stack of cash, fifty thousand in hundred-dollar bills. “This should be everything. And he’s mine now. His family too, understood?”

Henry catches the cash and hands it to one of the men next to him to count. “What about interest?”

“Should have asked for it when you told Annie the amount.”

He wrings his hands together. Guys like him are excited to fuck people up, they’re disappointed when they have the payment. “The girl is yours?” His eyes flicker to Annie.

“Yes.” I claim her, because frankly I just paid fifty grand for her. She’s mine now, and I’m one possessive bastard.

“Alright.” Henry nods. He’s disappointed, but he’s not stupid enough to pick a fight with me. “Nice doing business with ya.” He gives me a slight nod and turns to leave. “Oh, and you should know Johnny Byrne can’t stay away from the tables. So, I’m sure I’ll be back.” He winks at Annie, then slams the door behind him.

I exhale a rush of air I’d been holding. God damn I hate the Irish. I move my gaze to Annie who is sitting on the couch with wide eyes.

“They’re not going to leave him alone.” Her blue eyes are full of worry as she looks up to me.

“I think he learned his lesson, sweetheart.”

She looks skeptical. “What does that mean?”

“What I said. After today if he doesn’t know better he’s an idiot.”

Fear blankets her face. “You said you wouldn’t hurt him, what did you do?” She jumps off the couch, she’s frantic now and marching over to me.

She’s only protective over her brother, clearly willing to give up herself to save him. I wonder how far she’d be willing to go to protect him.

“Correction, sweetheart. I said I wouldn’t kill him.” I tell her. She’s trying to stand up to me, but I tower over her short frame.

“What did you do?” She repeats.

I sigh, looking over to Frank. “Frank made sure he wouldn’t forget this lesson.”