Page 6 of Her Michigan Mob Boss

“Ritchie messaged me. Your girl’s on Woodward Avenue.”

There were several places she could be going, but I’d have bet good money she was headed for the arena. There was only one reason she would be going there, and it wasn’t to watch the Red Wings training. She was looking to speak to the guy who suggested she’d find Mulhearn atLola’s. She obviously hadn’t heeded my warning.

“That little brat.” Pushing up from my seat, I jabbed a finger at Max. “Tell our guys to intercept her and bring her to my apartment.”

“Okay.” A huge grin spread across Max’s face. The cocky bastard knew me too well. I could never have resisted such a provocation. “And Sergei Belkin?”

“Leave it for now.” I would decide whether I wanted to pursue a relationship with his daughter later. Before I could even think about that, I needed to deal with Annie. She was about to learn what happened when you disobeyed me.

ChapterThree

Annie

Although I was sure Ciaran meant well when he told me to stop searching for Danny Mulhearn, I couldn’t just give up. I’d flown thousands of miles to find my late mother’s relatives. I spent every penny of my savings on this trip, treating myself to first-class travel and a suite at a luxury hotel. Going home and telling everyone I failed was not an option.

I wasn’t naïve enough to think I was going to experience some emotional reality-show-style reunion with Danny. The way people spoke about him told me he was unlikely to be interested in developing a relationship with a distant cousin from across the Atlantic. Even if we didn’t have anything in common, I was hoping he’d point me toward other family members who might want to get to know me. I recalled my mother thinking Danny had a sister. If he did, it would be nice to meet her.

I walked toward the arena, hoping the security guard I spoke to yesterday would be on duty again. Tony was helpful in pointing me toLola’s Lounge,and he might have other suggestions of where I might look for Danny.

The closer I got to my destination, the more I felt as if I was doing something wrong. Ciaran’s warning rung in my ears, and a shudder slipped down my spine as I remembered his words. Though I was startled when he warned me off my quest, I couldn’t help being turned on by the stern tone of his voice. It did funny things to my insides when he threatened to spank me if our paths crossed again.

I wasn’t entirely sure what to think about that. On the one hand, I was shocked a man would say something so blunt to a woman he’d only just met. On the other, I was intrigued by the possibility of experiencing something new. For a long time, I’d wanted to meet someone who was willing to experiment with some light bondage and the occasional spanking.

Neither of my former boyfriends would have been into it, so I’d never expressed my desires. I’d been too scared they would react with disgust. Jamie was too unimaginative to do any of the stuff I’d read about in books. Colin didn’t even want to have the lights on when we had sex. Neither of them had the right personality to make a successful foray into BDSM. They both lacked that necessary air of dominance. If one of them had tried to take me over their knee, I would have died laughing.

Ciaran struck me as someone who knew what he was doing in the bedroom, but even with him I doubted a spanking would be the orgasmic experience it was in romance novels. I’d built up such a life-changing image in my mind, the real thing could only be a letdown.

Not that I’d ever get a chance to find out if Ciaran could deliver. The chances of running into the handsome American again were small. Detroit was a vast city, after all. Unless fate smiled on me, I wouldn’t see him again. I’d just have to consign Ciaran and the tantalizing promise of his kiss to memory.

As I sauntered along the street, enjoying the pleasant warmth that would probably turn to unbearable heat later in the day, I realized someone was following me. Last night’s visit toLola’smight have made it seem as if I was oblivious to the hazards of being a woman alone in a big city. In fact, I was constantly alert to danger and the hairs at the back of my neck were prickling in warning right now. I didn’t turn to see who was behind me, but I could tell from their heavy footsteps it was a man.

Quickening my pace, I hurried toward the building that housed the arena’s box office. I was getting close when a black SUV screeched to a halt in front of me and a man jumped out. Tall and muscular, with long dark hair and a scruffy beard, he looked like a barbarian who’d been stuffed into a smartly tailored suit. As I tried to step around him, he moved with me, blocking my path. I turned to find another man hemming me in. Presumably this stocky redhead was the person who’d been following me.

“Get in the car please, Miss Calder,” the dark-haired man said.

How did he know my name? I narrowed my eyes as I tried to work out who the hell these guys were. They carried an unmistakable air of authority. Were they police? FBI? Had my search for Danny Mulhearn landed me on some CIA shitlist?

No, that was crazy. My imagination was running away with me. I shook my head to rid myself of those ridiculous thoughts. The man in front of me took the gesture as a refusal to do as he asked.

“Please don’t make this difficult, Miss Calder. I will use force if I have to.”

Shock froze me to the core. He was threatening to use physical means to get me into the car. These guys couldn’t be on the right side of the law, could they?

“Why?” I asked. “What do you want with me?”

“Our employer requests the pleasure of your company.”

As polite as that invitation was, it told me absolutely nothing. “Who’s your employer?”

“Mr. Reilly.” He said that with a level of pride that made me think the man he worked for was someone to be admired, but I had no clue who he was.

“I don’t know anyone called Reilly.”

“Well, he knows you.” The dark-haired man wrapped a hand around my upper arm. “He doesn’t like to be kept waiting, so get in the car.”

As he manhandled me closer to the vehicle, I frantically scanned the street around us. There was nobody who could help me. Lots of cars were passing, but I doubted anyone could see us as we were shielded from view by the enormous SUV. I was being abducted in broad daylight and there wouldn’t be any witnesses. Shit. These men knew what they were doing. I got the distinct impression they’d done this before. Were they mafia? Was there a big mafia scene in Detroit? I didn’t even know, but these guys sure seemed like they’d be some sort of mobster thugs.

I squealed in shock as the man grabbed my waist and lifted me into the car, forcing me out of my musings. Scrambling across the seat, I tried to open the opposite door and found it locked. Damn. I should have expected that. The dark-haired thug slid onto the back seat next to me, but kept a respectful distance.

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