Possessive Boss

There’s a short silence. “Look. They’re good men, okay? They’re private men. I told them we could work together, but discreetly.”

“They want to be off the books entirely.”

He laughs. “I didn’t approve that.”

“Carmine Caro seems to think you did. Jesus fucking shit, Darin. Who are those guys?”

“They’re just… businessmen. They own a bunch of stores all over Philly. They’re landlords. And investors. And they have a fucking ton of money and connections.”

“So what? We don’t do anything off the books.”

“Look, I’ll talk to them, okay? I’ll straighten this out. I think it’s just a misunderstanding. We’ll make it work, okay?”

“Darin,” I say. The rain patters down on the sidewalk and I can hear every drop like lightning. “Listen to me. I’m not working with mobsters. Don’t get us involved in that shit. Do you understand me?”

He’s quiet for a second. “I’ll straighten it out,” he says. “Okay?”

“Fine. Don’t fuck this up.” I hang the phone up.

I stand there and stare at the rain for a minute. I can’t believe what just happened. Those guys were mobsters, there’s no doubt in my mind. They’re mobsters and my partner wants me to work with them. Not just work with them, but do it off the books.

He set that up. I know he did. He told them something, made some promises to them. The problem is, I don’t know why. I don’t get why he’d do something so stupid.

There’s no shortage of rich men that want to become even richer. There’s just no reason to get mixed up with anyone even remotely shady.

As I stand there, I can’t help but wonder what else Darin’s been doing that I don’t know about. Is that the only instance of mobsters we’ve worked with? As far as I know it is, but maybe he’s doing things off the books. I don’t go over every single client personally. I don’t look at every single number. I run it all and manage it, but I’m not on top of absolutely everything.

“Fuck,” I say softly.

I close my eyes. I think about Val’s lips against mine.

I try to push away my anger and remember her taste.

I open my eyes with a little smile. I still have a bad feeling, but at least there’s Val. I get out my phone and call her.

“Hello?” she answers.

“Hey. It’s Jacob.”

She sounds happy. “How are you?”

“I was just thinking about you.”

“Yeah? Or were you thinking about that guy you beat up?”

I laugh a little. “Both. Mostly about the kiss. And the way you looked at me after I hit him.”

“I looked at you with shock.”

“Shock and something else. Listen, let’s do something tonight.”

She hesitates. “Like what?”

“I don’t know. Dinner, drinks, dancing. Whatever you want to do. I haven’t gone out since coming to the city.”

“Okay… I can do any of that.”

“Let’s start with dinner then. I’ll get you at eight.”

She’s quiet for a second. “Can I ask you something first?”

“Of course.”

“I’m starting on Monday. Are things going to be weird? You know… if we see each other.”

“Depends. Do you think they’ll be weird?”

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t think they will be. No reason why they should.”

“You’re right.” She clears her throat. “Yeah. You’re right.”

“If you’re worried, you don’t have to see me. But I suspect you’re going to anyway.”

“Yeah? You suspect that?”

“I’m pretty sure I know it.”

“Arrogant asshole.” She says it with a smile in her voice.

“That’s what you love about me. See you at eight. I have your address already.” I hang up the phone and slip it into my pocket.

Fucking mobsters. Goddamn fucking mobsters. Darin better fix whatever that mess is.

Because I have better things to think about, like that gorgeous, sweet thing I’m taking out tonight.

Like getting another taste of her.5ValHe picks me up in his black sedan again. He sits close to me in the back and puts a hand on my knee. I should maybe think about moving that hand… but it feels good.

I look up in his handsome face and he smiles back. I can still see him punching that thief in the face. I can see him running the man down, the anger, the intensity. I hate to admit that it sends a shiver down my spine, that I’m delighted by the idea of him wanting to hurt someone for me… but I like it. I hate to admit it, but I do.

“Glad you came,” he says. “I had an odd day.”

“Yeah?”

“The cubes went in.” He laughs a little. “I was getting used to it being empty.”

“I bet you were.”

“It was my little palace.”

“What a shame, now you have to share.”

“I know. It’s awful.” He cocks his head slightly. “At least I’ll be sharing with you.”

I blush a little. I don’t even know why. “Where are we going for dinner?”

“It’s a place called Barclay Prime. Friend of mine opened it.”