Page 28 of Death By Chocolate

The Governor’s top floor is quieter than the operational levels below. Less tactical gear, more polished wood and glass. Corso's assistant barely has time to announce me before I'm through the door.

Corso looks exactly like what he is – the ruler of a criminal enterprise with lethal business partners, the kind of man who keeps a gun on his desk and a battle plan in his head. He gestures to the chair across from him without standing.

“Xeno. Shouldn't you be with your bodyguard?”

"That's why I'm here." I remain standing, using my height to my advantage. "I want access to all defense protocols for The Governor. Dani’s uniform included.”

His eyebrows lift slightly. "Those protocols are classified. Even my trusted staff doesn't have that level of access."

He doesn’t trust me. Under normal circumstances, I agree that anyone outside his organization poses a risk. Not this time. "Someone on your team got to your data guy,” I remind him, a matter of fact. “Someone knew when Dani would meet me at the airport. They knew how to hurt her." The words taste like ash, but I force them out. "And they're targeting Dani specifically."

Corso leans back, studying me with the kind of scrutiny that's probably broken lesser men. "That's a serious accusation. Do you have proof?"

"Not yet. But I will." I plant my hands on his desk, leaning forward. "Rhys. Check his communications, his access logs. Anyone on staff he has intimate knowledge of. Something's off about that guy.”

"Rhys is one of our top agents. If Dani weren’t Dani, he’d be leading the team instead of her.”

"He's also Dani's ex." The words come out sharper than intended. Depraved men who envy women in power can justify some fucked up shit to soothe their battered egos. “And he's a bitter bitch ass pussy. They were fuck buddies, nothing more.” I know how Dani feels about me. No, she won’t give me the words. But her actions tell me she’s mine. I feel it in my marrow, every fiber of my being. “Rhys’ behavior about our relationship might lead him to do something stupid."

Understanding flickers in Corso's eyes. "So this is about protecting your girlfriend."

"This is about protecting your best asset and…my woman.” I straighten, matching his evaluating stare. "You know Dani's history. You know what she survived before she came to you.Did you ever wonder why she's so damn good at anticipating threats?"

His jaw tightens. "I vetted her myself. She didn’t tell me everything,—but I know about Oscar, the abuse, the starvation, how she escaped.”

There’s something there, a way he looks down and away. He is holding a card he hasn’t played.

"Then you know she's learned every lesson the hard way. But she's got blind spots – people she thinks she can trust because they wear your company's badge." I pause, letting that sink in. "I'm not asking for access to compromise your security. I'm asking because I need to make sure no one else can or has.”

Corso stands slowly, walking to the window that overlooks the city. "Why should I trust you with the lives of my people? With her life?"

"Because I love her." The truth of it hits me like a physical force. "And unlike the last man who claimed to love her, I'll die before I let anyone hurt her again."

He turns, and for the first time, I see something soften in his expression. "She doesn't know you're here."

"No. And she'll be pissed when she finds out." I manage a wry smile. "But I'd rather have her angry at me than dead because I missed something."

Silence stretches between us. Finally, Corso returns to his desk and pulls out a secure mini-tablet. "What you're asking for... it's unprecedented."

"So is she." I take the seat he initially offered. "You gave her a chance. Now I'm asking you to trust that I'll protect that investment."

His fingers hover over the device. "If you're wrong about this..."

"I'm not." I lean forward. "But if I am, I'll owe you. My word is bond – whatever you need, ten toes down.”

“You’d die for her?”

I grin. “I’d slit your fucking neck for that woman. What-ever, it takes to keep her safe and her reputation intact." I break that shit down, so he understands I will wage hell on scorched earth for Dani.

Corso's eyes narrow. "And if you're right?"

"Then I’ll make sure whoever's orchestrating this learns why targeting Dani was their last mistake." I meet his gaze steadily. “She was a kid left in the hands of a monster – I’ve fought that fight with my own flesh and blood. I've buried my monsters. And now, I’m going to slaughter hers.”

He studies me for another long moment before his fingers move across the tablet. "Full access, override authority, limited window. Seventy-two hours. After that, we reevaluate based on what you find." He slides the tablet across the desk. "And Voss? If you're using this to hurt her..."

"I know." I take the tablet, feeling its weight like a promise. "You'll kill me yourself."

"No." A cold smile crosses his face. "I'll tell her why you came to see me today. And then I'll let her decide what to do with you."

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