Page 13 of Taken By the Underboss

"Even if it doesn't seem like something that could be used for blackmail, I still want to know. School records, boyfriends, anything you can find."

"You got it. I'll do a full dive on her. When do you need the information?"

"Send it as you get it. I need this information yesterday."

"Understood. I'll get back to you in about an hour with my first batch of info."

"Thanks Marco. I really appreciate it."

"No problem."

I headed back down the hall toward the surgery room when I heard Luca’s boisterous voice coming from behind the door. For some reason I couldn’t explain, it irritated me, and I yanked the door open.

"And there we were, stranded in the middle of nowhere, completely naked." Luca finished the punchline to his story as he and the girl laughed.

They both jumped at my sudden intrusion and the doc spun around to face me, her smile instantly falling from her face.

"What's going on in here?" I asked coldly.

"I was just telling the girl about the time that I—"

"Shouldn't you be resting? Yesterday you were bleeding out on the table."

"Relax, Mom," Luca said with a smile. "The doc's been taking real good care of me. I'm feeling a lot better already."

"Good." I turned to look at the girl with a still serious expression. "Have you gotten all the supplies that you'll need?"

"Yes. We should be good." She smiled meekly, her nervous hands fiddling with the handle of the bag.

The doc was beautiful. She was the type of girl that I would have hit on in a crowded club. If the situation had been different, I could have spotted her across some crowded bar, bought her a drink, and struck up charming conversation to make her smile. She would have listened to my stories and laughed at my jokes. I would have hung on her every word, and hopefully, by the end of the night, I would have left the bar with her, or at least with her number.

I hadn't taken the time to notice it until I got a chance to see her smiling and laughing. I hated that that was with Luca and not with me. I hated that I had to be the hard ass that would have to make the tough decisions about whether or not she would live or die but I was. I couldn't afford to let myself get attached or feel even the slightest bit of sympathy or fondness for her. Not until I knew which way things were going to go.

"So," she said nervously. "Does this mean that you're going to be dropping me back at the hospital now?"

A sickening feeling of dread twisted in my gut, and I shook my head slowly. "You heard things that you shouldn't have."

"I know. And I'm sorry. I didn't mean to eavesdrop. Honestly, I was just coming to find you to let you know that Luca had woken up. When I heard you were on the phone, I wasn't sure whether to interrupt or wait, then it was too late."

"I understand. But it doesn't change the facts of our situation."

"What situation is that?" She stuttered over her words, her eyes wide as her fingers tightened around the strap of the bag.

I let out a sigh. I had hoped there would be a way around the discussion until I could somehow let her see that we weren't bad people. I wanted her to meet Teo and Mia before having to make such a big decision, but there was no way to get her on that plane without answeringsomequestions first. Not without tying her up and dragging her on board, which I preferred not to do.

"We need to talk. Alone."

"Why does it have to be alone?" She looked nervous and glanced back at Luca, who she had somehow cast as someone she could trust. She looked to him to keep her safe, but in truth, Luca would follow through with whatever orders I decided.

“It's just better if we talk alone. Follow me.”

I led her to the veterinarian's office on the other side of the building and closed the door. I stood in front of the desk, leaning against it. I gripped the edge of the desk hard, attempting to control my own nerves.

“Sit,” I ordered, and she took a seat in front of me. “You have some choices to make. Some big, life altering decisions. So, I want you to listen to what I have to say and really think about your answer before you give it.”

She took a deep breath and answered nervously. “Okay?”

I took a deep breath, pausing to choose my words carefully, but I could see that my hesitation just made her more nervous.

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