The Mafia Contract Series

I don’t know how I’m going to get through this project. I hate Brad Turner and it appears he loves nothing more than putting me in my place and making sure I understand he is the boss.

When I returned from lunch, he looked at his watch and shook his head as if I had disappointed him and just thrust a folder at me and told me to read it and file my report by the close of business.

He then asked Miranda, his assistant, to bring him coffee, and he didn’t want to be disturbed, and stormed back into his office and slammed the door.

I thought I had got off lightly until I read through the papers and realized there were weeks of work involved. I didn’t even understand what most of it meant and yet the last person I want to admit that to is my new self-styled boss.

So, with a grim determination, I work through it as best I can and am surprised when I hear a husky voice say from the doorway, “Six o’clock, baby, your carriage awaits.”

I look up to find the office empty, as it appears the rest of the staff left already. Brad’s door is still firmly closed, and Flynn is regarding me with amusement as he leans against the wall nonchalantly.

My heart quickens when I see how hot he is. His lazy eyes drag the length of me, and his usual black suit makes my mouth water at the sight of him. He has the image of the most successful businessman and is definitely the sexiest, and I still can’t wrap my head around the feelings I’ve developed toward him.

Before I can react, Brad’s door flies open and he storms out and then stops suddenly when he sees Flynn, who is regarding him through turbulent eyes. In fact, the tension notches up in an instant and if I were Brad, I would head right back the way I came.

Instead, he says irritably, “Who’s this, Louisa?”

It’s so embarrassing as he turns his back on Flynn and I open my mouth to answer him, but the reply comes from Flynn before I can.

“I’m the man with a problem, Brad.”

Brad spins on his heels and looks at him in surprise, almost as if he didn’t believe he could talk.

“A problem. What the fuck are you talking about?”

He turns on me angrily. “Who is this clown, Louisa, because if you’re bringing your personal life to work already, we have a problem?”

“Brad, I…” But that’s as far as I get because Flynn shifts off the wall and reaches Brad in an instant and before he can react, grabs him by the throat and holds him up in the air in a show of strength that makes my mouth drop.

His voice sounds low and dangerous as he growls, “Now shut the fuck up and listen, because I will only say this once.”

He leans in and sneers, “You will treat Louisa with the respect she deserves and stop making her life a misery. She starts work at eight thirty and finishes at six. She has one hour for lunch and two fifteen-minute coffee breaks and that also applies to the rest of the staff. If there is a problem with that, take it up with Dimitri because they are his rules. Secondly, you can the attitude because I’m sure we both agree you have no right to it.”

He drops Brad, who clutches his neck and stutters, “What are you talking about?”

Flynn growls, “If you want me to tell Dimitri about your gambling habit, I’m happy to.”

Brad stares at me and I already see the defeat in his eyes, but he says quickly, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Flynn shakes his head as if disappointed somehow. “I thought you might say that. Well, it’s come to my attention that you were a regular at the Domino bar in Washington. Have I jogged your memory yet?”

I watch in fascination as Brad turns a strange color and Flynn laughs darkly.

“It appears you owe them rather a lot of money and the interest alone is staggering. I happen to be acquainted with the guy who runs it and he’s not a patient man and I’m guessing would be very interested to add your new address to his contacts.”

Brad turns white as Flynn growls, “Maybe he already knows, and you struck a deal.”

“No.” Brad’s voice comes out in a rough whisper, and I stare at him in confusion. Flynn shakes his head slowly and looks at him with disgust.

“You see, I had an interesting conversation with him earlier today and it appears you promised him you would soon have access to billions.”

He flicks a soft look in my direction, and I can sense what’s coming as he says angrily, “Yes, he told me you had your sights set on a promotion and failing that had two shots at marrying an heiress.

Apparently, one would be grateful, and the other is so stupid she would thank you for it.”

I feel nauseous as Flynn tells me something I’ve lived with ever since puberty. It’s always the same story. Men want Sienna because she’s easier on the eye and would be happy to fall into her role as a society wife. I’m the second prize and the one who should be grateful that I’m asked. It’s why I’m so guarded and allow nobody close and yet hearing it happening again doesn’t make me feel good about myself.

Brad says angrily, “You’re wrong. You’re making this up to suit yourself.”

Flynn takes out his phone and hisses, “Shall we call Jonny and ask him, because I’m guessing he will back up my story?”Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“What do you want?” Brad already sounds defeated and Flynn shrugs. “I couldn’t give a fuck how much trouble you’re in, but there is one thing that is never going to happen. You are not marrying into this family, and you will work your ass off to pay back the money through hard work because if you step out of line, Dimitri gets all the facts, and you probably won’t have a job. Then I’ll find you and deliver you to Jonny personally and, as a favor to me, he will show you the error of your ways. So…” He turns to me and says lightly, “Get your purse, baby, your day is done.”

As I rush to my feet, Flynn says casually, “Oh and another thing…” He takes my hand and pulls me beside him and says ominously, “You treat Louisa with respect and if I see one shadow in her eyes when she returns home from work, I’ll hold you responsible and our next meeting won’t be so pleasant. Understand?”

Brad nods in defeat. “Of course. I’m sorry, Louisa.”

“It’s…” I don’t know what to say and Flynn laughs out loud. “Well, hasn’t this been fun? Have a good evening, Brad, and word of advice, stay away from the clubs, stick to what you’re good at, which is making money, not losing it.”

As I follow Flynn from the office, I’m in awe of him. Seeing him tear Brad roughly from his pedestal gave me a rush I wasn’t expecting. I loved it. The cruel way he humiliated him and exposed him in a few sentences. The defeat in Brad’s eyes and the sick expression on his face made me happy.

Now I understand why every girl loves a bad boy, because that show of domination has caused every one of my lady parts to throb with heated desire. If the guy wasn’t my freaking cousin, I would have jumped him by now, which tells me I have a serious problem and its name is Flynn V asquez.