Page 32 of Her Michigan Mob Boss

“I told her she was in danger.”

My sister pursed her lips. She looked so like our mother when she was annoyed, it was uncanny. “Okay, but did you explain why? Did you tell her the type of man Danny Mulhearn is and what he’s capable of, or did you just issue one of your decrees?”

My shoulders slumped as I acknowledged internally that I could have handled things with Annie a lot better than I did. I wasn’t accustomed to having my authority questioned and my fear that she could be used as a pawn against me had made me act rashly.

“Do you want me to bring her some breakfast?” Emily asked, apparently gathering the answer from my lack of response.

“No, I’ll do it.”

I moved over to the table at the side of the room to fill a plate. Despite us employing a full-time housekeeper, Emily insisted on preparing all our food herself. She was one of those people who showed her love through cooking. I selected a couple of pastries and some fruit for Annie. Then I poured a cup of coffee. Not knowing how Annie liked it, I added a splash of cream and hoped for the best.

As I headed upstairs, I wondered whether Annie had slept as poorly as I had. I stopped outside the bedroom and balanced the plate on top of the cup as I unlocked the door.

When I walked into the room, I found Annie sitting on the bed, her back to the wall. The covers were pulled up to conceal her beautiful body from me. The ferocity of her glare told me everything I needed to know about her mood this morning. She wasn’t happy.

“Good morning, sweetheart.” My greeting was met with the stony silence it no doubt deserved. “I brought you some breakfast.”

I held up the plate to show her, then set it down on the nightstand by the bed.

“What time is it?” Her tone was sullen.

Glancing at my watch, I replied. “Seven thirty.”

A hopeful look spread across her face. “I can still make my flight.”

I sat on the edge of the bed, and Annie inched away from me. “No, sweetheart, we’ve been through this. You’re staying here.”

“In this room?”

“No, you can leave the room whenever you want.”

Her jaw worked furiously as she tried to contain her anger. “But not the house?”

“No.” I spoke softly, hoping she would hear that I didn’t want things to be this way. “My guards have instructions to stop you if you try to leave.”

Annie shook her head. “This is insane.”

I reached over and laid my land on hers, but she quickly pulled it away. She needed time to accept how things were going to be, so I let her withdraw. For now.

“Am I really in danger?” Annie asked.

“Yes. That phone call I took at dinner last night was about you. Our informants told us Danny Mulhearn will try to use you to get to me.”

“Use me how?”

“I believe he’d threaten to kill you unless I gave up territory to him.”

Annie narrowed her eyes. “What sort of business are you in, exactly?”

“The type of business where people get killed if they cross the wrong person.”

The corners of her mouth turned down. “Mafia business.” Her tone was flat.

“I’m a powerful man, sweetheart.” I neither confirmed nor denied the conclusion she’d drawn. “People will do anything to hurt my family, to take what’s mine.”

Annie stared at me long and hard. I could almost hear the thoughts racing through her mind.

“Okay. Suppose I am in danger because of your business?” It was impossible to miss the disdain in her voice. “Wouldn’t I be safer if I went home?”

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