Page 101 of The Mafia Heir's Obsession

“No, I didn’t fucking see him.”

“Well, our guy only saw you being followed to the second floor, but then the guy came down and passed the information along.”

I nod, not liking the fact that my preoccupation with Lucie stopped me from picking up on Paddy’s presence.

But I don’t expect Paddy to just follow me around like a fucking puppy.

He’s making a move.

“That it?” I ask.

He nods. “That’s it.”

I square my shoulders and push open the door of the pawn shop without another word.

I decide to walk. It’s a nice enough day, and the walk home isn’t that long. I text Declan and tell him to let me know the minute she’s ready to leave the restaurant. A car ride home might shave minutes off, depending on traffic, but I’m willing to go for it if it means beating my fucking bride home.

As I head home, I call her father to set up a meeting for next week with a contact he’s being dying to meet, one that isn’t in our agreement list, and one that I know for a fact is heading back to Europe.

A postponed meeting, a cancellation, they happen, but it’s a way for me to spend time with him and try and get information from him.

Of course, he doesn’t pick up because he’s occupied with his daughter, but I leave a short message. He didn’t want me to know about their lunch for some reason, so I’m playing it like I don’t.

I’m not out to shaft him or anyone. I don’t play it that way; I don’t have to.

The reputation I’ve built is one most would sell their soul for. I’m hard, cruel, and violent. I’ll kill in the blink of an eye, but my word means something.

I don’t double-cross.

But I will do what is necessary to protect what I’ve built. My contact wouldn’t ever do business with de Rosa. He’s got no love for American Italian mafia. He’ll meet him as a favor to me if it comes down to it.

I just need to find out what de Rosa wants.

Because hewants something.

It’s not the bomb that bugs me. It’s the favors he asks for. Like I owe him or he’s out to see just how much he can get out of me. Like I’m indebted to him or some shit.

It also pisses me off that he’s only seeing his daughter now. A girl he’s not bothered himself with since he handed her over to me. A father-daughter lunch isn’t common. She’d have told me about it. And I’d have been invited.

He wants something from her, which means he wants something from me.

“Fuck,” I mutter, opening the front door to my house. I’m greeted by a barking, happy dog and an annoyed Torin who’s cuddling the damn kitten.

Do I even know these brothers? Why are they so enamored with this scrap of fur?

“Thank Christ. I think he needs a walk.”

“Why’ve you got the cat, Tor?”

He shrugs, looking away. “It’s… cute?”

“No, it’s a rat.” I look at him. “You could have taken Arnold out.”

“I’m waiting for a call and doing some deep dives into the restaurant and the club.” He shakes his head as I clip the lead to a suddenly dancing Arnold. “It all looks good. You can go ahead.”

I nod and lead Arnold outside. We walk up and down the street, keeping an eye out for my girl. His girl. Our girl.

Arnold does his business and then starts to pull me forward. I can tell he wants to run but I’m not in the mood. Declan can get his lazy ass outside for some exercise and take Arnold later. I’m not exactly dressed for a run, and I want to be home when Lucie gets back.

---