Page 46 of One Wild Night

"If your father has the money, he will be fine," I promised her.

"Please don't hurt him," Maria pleaded as she handed me a glass of whiskey. Her eyes were like pure chocolate, and instantly made me think of Siena. Fuck! I couldn’t allow myself to be distracted while I was working.

"I'm just following orders, Maria. Your father shouldn't borrow money if he can't afford to pay it back. We've already given him several chances."

"I know what it means when you come to collect, Ryan. Please, I'll give you anything, even myself if that would mean something to you." It was clear Maria was a virgin. She couldn't have been a day over eighteen, if that.

"I'm flattered, Maria," I choked into my glass, "but you shouldn't go around offeringthatto just anyone."

"I wasn't. I..."

"Your father has until tomorrow after the fight to pay up, don't worry," I interrupted, downing my whiskey as Jamie and Frankie appeared again. Jamie gave me the nod, telling me we'd gotten half of the money.

"I'll see you at the club tomorrow, Frankie," I replied, dusting off my suit. "I trust there will be no further problems after tomorrow night."

"Should I find you?"

"Oh, no," I replied, giving him a deadly smirk. "We will come and find you. I don't want you spending all your winnings repaying your debt, do I?" Frankie shook his head nervously as the boys and I left.

"You do realize that you just missed a chance to fuck a virgin, don't you, Ryan? Maria was practically offering herself on a platter to you." I shot Bennett a look. "Aren't you into virgins?"

"No, I'm fucking not!" What the fuck did Bennett take me for?

"I'd have fucked her.

"That's where you differ from Ryan, Bennett," Jamie snorted. "Ryan likes the more experienced women." Too fucking right I did. Siena was a class all of her own. I still couldn't believe we had almost kissed the other night.

She wanted me. I sensed it in her body. The way her breathing changed just before our lips had almost touched. Fuck, I wanted to taste those lips again.

"Ryan!" Jamie hit my chest. Shit, had I been daydreaming again? "What's next?"

"That's it for you boys today. I'm going to go for a run now, and I have a meeting with Carlo later. I’m hoping he’ll tell me why he sent Tony away for a few days."

Bennett and Jamie nodded before taking their leave.

I changed into some shorts and a T-shirt when I got home, then plugged my earphones in before I began to run. I found a lot of tranquility in running, and as the sounds of Otis Reading'sLove Manfilled my ears, I let my feet carry me. This man's music relaxed me more than anything. I ran, pushing myself faster and faster, trying to clear the images of Siena from my head. It didn't matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get her off my mind. She was consuming my every thought. This was all so new to me, and I had to admit, it was scaring the shit out of me. I couldn't shake her off like I'd done before I had fucked her. It was easier back when I didn't know exactly what I was missing.

I carried on, pushing myself faster and faster, hoping at some point during my run my mind would change. It didn't, though. What the fuck was happening to me?

––––––––

"We want you to takeover the east side of Chicago, Ryan." Carlo explained as I sat across from him and his two brothers, Vincent and Enzo.

"But that's Tony's district," I frowned. "If you want this animosity to settle between the two of us, do you really think it's wise?"

"Ryan, Tony is losing controlandmoney. We have to act before someone takes over. That is, if someone isn't already trying to take over." Carlo commented. "Have you had any luck finding a lead on this...Paul Jenkins?" I shook my head. Whoever this Paul guy was working for, they were good at covering their tracks.

"My brother is right. Tony may be blood, but it's you we trust to get things done. Tony has let the east side run wild. It's no wonder other gangs are breaking through," Vincent commented, taking a deep puff on his cigar.

"You trust this...thisstreetrat?!" Enzo seethed, glaring at me. I'd never been Enzo' favorite person. I wasn't bonded by blood, so that apparently meant I had no true loyalty. "I still think you should give your boy one last chance, Carlo. Perhaps Tony would perform better if you believed in him."

"I've given Tonyenoughchances!" Carlo bellowed before smiling warmly at me. "Ryan, will you accept?"

"If that is what you truly want, Carlo, then I accept," I replied proudly. All the high dealings were on the east side of Chicago. I felt honored that he trusted me that much, but I also knew this would be a final straw for Tony.

"It is," Carlo grinned, clapping his hands. "So, that's settled. You can take over on Monday. I must warn you, though, there is much to be done." I nodded but couldn't ignore the daggers Enzo was shooting at me with his eyes.

I had to go over to the club before I headed downtown to fight night. I would be taking over Tony's runners in the East District, and had asked Jamie to meet me at Cherries so he could start spreading the word tonight.

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