She seems to have stuck to her word and stayed away for a whole twenty-four hours. Yet, I can’t seem to get her off my mind. I admire her strength, however reckless some of her decisions may be. There aren’t many women who stand up against me like this.
She intrigues me because she isn’t scared of me. Quite the opposite, actually.
I shift in my seat, pressing down on my semi-hard cock. It’s the same every time I’m near her, or when she invades my thoughts. I can’t fucking stop myself.
It’s for the best that I sent her away. She’s liable to get herself killed. I saved her ass last time, and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. That’s what concerns me. I’m distracted and I can’t afford to be. We are so close to taking down Romano, it’s just a matter of time before he steps foot back in my territory.
Letting Zara too close to me opens up another weakness. Something he can exploit. Kicking up my feet onto the coffee table, I start scrolling through Zara’s social media and try to delude myself that this will be the last time.
I groan as I open up the most recent post, from ten minutes ago. Her in a tight red corset with a leather skirt, revealing all of those intricate tattoos on her porcelain skin. Fuck, she’s beautiful.
The phone slips from my fingers as the front door crashes open. A red-faced Grayson, with a flustered Enzo following closely behind, push into my office.
I try to keep my expression neutral as they crowd into my space. “Well, hello. Come in, why don’t you?”
Enzo sits down beside me and immediately opens up his laptop.
I shoot Grayson a questioning look. “Either of you care to tell me what’s going on?”
“We have a big fucking problem, boss.” Enzo ferociously jabs his fingers on his keyboard.
My patience is wearing thin.
“Spit it out,” I say through gritted teeth.
“Here.” Enzo turns the screen towards me, and I lean closer, looking at a page of numbers and some women’s faces.
“What the hell am I looking at?” I rub my beard, shaking my head.
“It means this isn’t the first nor the last shipment of women. It seems New York isn’t their end goal. We need to dig deeper. The girls are coming from Russia, with George’s involvement. It has to be Romano.”
He leans back in the seat, looking pleased with himself.
“Well, continue,” I say, bringing the computer onto my thighs.
Enzo shifts to face me. “We need to get to George. He must have some information on the end buyer.”
I rub my hands over my eyes. “Why the hell would a commissioner be doing this? It makes no sense.”
“What about that other detective, Zara?” Grayson asks. I straighten my spine at the mention of her name.
Her reaction to the shipment made it obvious she had no idea. No one can act like that, let alone put herself at risk like that, with no back up.
I shake my head.
“This isn’t her, G.”
She did everything I asked. She might be the only person in that force that isn’t completely against us.
Shit, she could be deeper in this than even she realizes.
Enzo pushes his long black hair out of his face and lets out a long breath. “I agree.”
Tapping my finger against the screen, I process all of this new information. The last thing I want is Romano having the complete upper hand with the police.
Looks like Zara may have some further use to me after all.
“I might have an idea.” I bite back the grin.
Grayson raises his brows at me.
“You might not like it.”
“Frankie,” Enzo replies sternly.
I hold up one finger. “We need to stop them from trafficking women. It’s non-negotiable. This shit does not happen in our territory. So, we need to get into the commissioner’s office?”
Enzo nods. “Correct.”
I decide to hold back my plans for Zara, just in case they go sour and she tries to stab me again. This game might take a little more work to get her where I need her.
“Where’s Jax?” I ask Grayson.
“He’s training with Kai, then we’re going to the girl’s safe house tonight.”
“I’ll take him with me.” I can use his help in case things go south.
“Where?”
I clap my hands together and push myself up from the chair. “We’re off to the annual police Halloween gala, boys.”
“You think they’re going to let you in?” Grayson chuckles.
“Not like this, obviously. They won’t have a clue who I am in a mask.” I wink, turning to Enzo. “Get your team ready. Looks like the key to Romano is the cops.”
“You think this is a good idea?” Enzo asks.
Images of Zara in her little red outfit, and that lipstick that would look perfect wrapped around my cock, fill my mind.
“I don’t see the problem. We can be in and out in no time.”
Enzo leans back and rubs his face. “I can speak to Mikhail. Since he split the Volkovs to Vegas, I can see what he can find out about the Russian women. He should be able to confirm Romano’s involvement.”
“You do that. I’ll go to the ball. Either way, we’re getting closer to our goal.”
“Let me go get changed. G, get Jax here; tell him to pick me up a mask that will hide my features.”
I can’t ignore the thrill I’m getting from turning the tables on Zara. Tonight, she won’t have a clue I’ll be the one watching her in the shadows. Let’s see how much she likes it.
“You got it, boss.”
He pulls out his phone and brings it to his ear. Enzo is already chatting away in Italian to his men.
By the time I shower and put on my tux, I hear Jax’s engine revving up the driveway. At least it isn’t that damn bike this time.
I open up the front door and roll my eyes. Jax is leaning against his new bright blue Lamborghini, still in his leather jacket and ripped jeans. The rings on his fingers catch the light as he holds up a mask with a long narrow white face and a gaping mouth.
“Looking suave, Mr. Falcone.” He winks at me as I walk over to him and snatch the monstrosity from his tattooed hand.
“Nice wheels, very inconspicuous Jax.”
He shrugs. “I come from a rich family remember, no one gives a shit about what I drive.”
“We’re breaking into a police event tonight. You think they might look twice at something that’s worth more than what they’d earn in their life?”
He runs a hand through his curly black hair. “It was either this or the bike. Grayson said you’d prefer this one.”
Out of the two, he was right.
I toss the mask on the floorboard and get in.
He speeds off and I’m pressed against the headrest.
“Jesus Christ, Jax,” I hiss.
“You can’t drive a beauty like this and not take her to the max.”
He slows down as we pull up into the parking lot. He picks a spot far enough away to scope out the entrance.
“We’re gonna have to go in the back,” Jax says.
I agree.
Tugging at my collar, it suddenly feels tight around my neck. I hate to admit that I’m looking forward to my little reunion with Zara.
My vision fixates on the little red devil outfit walking towards the steps. Tattoos spanning up her left thigh, and a deep plunging neckline which has me licking my lips. Her hair is curly today, so it rests just above her shoulders.
“That one in red, fuck,” Jax groans next to me.
The sight of her makes me dig my nails into my palms.
Mine.
Zara is mine.
Whether she likes it or not.
