Ellie also worked part-time as a librarian and as far as he was concerned, a woman who loved books didn’t mingle with monsters like him. She was too kind for him and what he did.
Running her ID across his lips, he had to think of what to do next.
Raphael’s phone beeped and he groaned. “Boss has called. It’s time to go to work.”
Whenever it was busy, Raphael never referred to Romeo as Father. Getting to their feet, they paid for their breakfast then headed out. Their men were waiting with a car. Driving toward The Boss’s mansion, Antonio pocketed Ellie’s ID. He was going to see her again, and soon.
Within half an hour, they sat in front of The Boss, along with four other capos.
There had been an attack on three of the Family restaurants. Four of their people had been killed and it was up to them to find the men responsible and make an example out of them. Antonio wouldn’t be needed until he had to hurt people; it was what he did best. He did have a way of finding who was responsible, which was why six hours later he stood outside the small library where he knew Ellie worked part-time.
He’d called three men and the capos had the men responsible for killing locked in one of their warehouses waiting for him. Killing always gave him a rush.
Again, he didn’t know why he was fucking here. Between hunting and killing, he’d called their real estate guy, bought a place not too far from the bar, and acquired another apartment.
All for this woman. Staring down at her picture on the license, he frowned. She wasn’t smiling. She looked bored, like this was another step she had to achieve in her life, and not something of any real success.
Why the fuck he was here, he didn’t know. Why he’d bought another apartment when he had a perfectly good place to use for fucking, he didn’t know.
All in all, he had to see this through.
Entering the library, he caught sight of several people who were aware of who he was. The ink on his body was a perfect sign, but so was the suit.
The Giavanni name was known and respected far and wide, which was why it was such a shock for a woman to be in a bar and not know the relevance.
She wasn’t behind the counter, and when he stepped up to it, a middle-aged woman looked like she wanted to run away.
“Where’s Ellie?” he asked.
“Er, s-s-she’s in the c-children s-s-section.” She pointed to the left and he made his way toward the room.
Children’s posters led up to the door, and a big sign reading Adventure Section was above the door.
He stood inside the room and saw her.
Ellie sat on the floor, legs crossed, a kid on either side of her as she read a book. The mother, he assumed, was on her phone, texting away.
He watched her.
The mother sighed. “Time to go, kids.”
The kids in question looked like they wanted to argue but kept their mouths shut.
“Thanks, Ellie, you’re amazing.”
“Anytime.” She got to her feet and the smile dropped from her face when she caught sight of him.
The mother, though, kept on smiling as she passed him.
“Do you have kids?” Ellie asked.
“Why would I have kids?”
“You’re in the kids’ section of a library. Oh, God. You’re married, aren’t you? Have a family?” Her face scrunched up.
“I don’t have kids nor do I have a family.”
She nodded. “Okay. You’re sure?”
“Very sure.”
“Then what brings you here? You know, this isn’t a bar.”
“Very true. This is certainly more you, Ellie Taylor.”
Ellie’s mouth opened and closed. “How do you know my name?”
He pulled out her ID.
“You stole it?” she asked, coming toward him. She tried to take it from him, but he held it out of reach. “That isn’t funny.”
“I’m not trying to be.” He placed her ID back in his jacket.
“Last night was only supposed to be one night. You can’t hold my ID hostage like this.”
“I can do whatever the hell I want.” He just stood there, arms folded, appearing cocky.
She wasn’t wearing sexy clothes. She wore a knee-length skirt and a modest blouse. Nothing showing off her curves, but he knew how tempting they were.
“I want you to come to this address tonight,” he said, pulling out the card he’d already written the address on.
“What?”
“If you want your ID, you’ll come here.”
“Are you seriously giving me an ultimatum right now? That’s my ID. It’s my license. You can’t force me to do what I don’t want.”
“It’s funny, because that’s exactly what I’m doing.” No woman had ever argued with him.
“Look, if this is because I snuck out … it was just a bit of fun last night.”
He raised a brow. “This address, tonight. Nine o’clock. Don’t be late or I’ll come and get you.”