Page 61 of I Would Beg For You

I sigh again as I pour myself another drink and move to the desk. Far from me to do anyone else’s bidding, but Declan Reeves was reaching out, and I know I better be there to receive him.

My mind veers back to when Naomi was on the call with her uncle in the bedroom, which left me and Anya alone in the living room. I still couldn’t wrap my head around what had happened.

“So since when do you work for Declan Reeves?” I asked.

Anya shrugged. “What do you think?”

I frowned. “You’re a plant in Smith’s entourage.”

The shark smiled, then her face softened into a more human likeness. “He wanted someone close to look after Naomi.”

“Does sheneedlooking after?”

“You got close to her, didn’t you?”

“I’m not a danger to her.”

Raised eyebrows greeted me, and I dropped the conversation then. Still, it comforted me she was in Naomi’s corner and seemed like the type who would fight tooth and nail for her. Good. Naomi needs more of this ilk in her life.

On cue, a tone rings out from my computer. I slide into my chair, take a sip of whiskey, then tap the keyboard to check thenotification. An email, with a hyperlink. I frown. Encrypted link to an online meeting? What’s this shit?

I take a deep breath and click. Seeing https in the browser’s address comforts me somewhat. Definitely a secure network.

Same library background, same fair man. And he doesn’t muck around. No wonder the other call came on Anya’s laptop. She must have access to the same secure link.

“What are you doing with my niece?”

So, we’re going to jump into the hard questions already.

I smile at him. “None of your business.”

“You’re fucking her. Is that all there is to it?”

Yes. And no. However, I didn’t know how best to convey this to him.

“Bit late to be swooping in to play her protector, don’t you think?”

“You’re a bit old for her.”

The cazzo has a death wish or what?

“It’s consensual,” I bite out.

The grey eyes on the screen narrowed. “I’d hope you’re not like that bastard.”

“You can rest assured.”

Long seconds tick by.

“Good. Naomi’s no fool.”

I nod softly. “What can I do for you, Mr. Reeves?”

“You care for my niece, Valentino? Can I call you Valentino?”

I nod again. “I do.”

At least this, I can confirm.

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