Dressed in a suit, I head down the stairs so I can get my ass to work. There’s a fuck ton to do today.
Finding Kiara in front of the window, drinking a cup of coffee, I say, “Declan will be here any minute.”
She turns around. “I really think I should go to work.”
I shake my head, and stealing the cup from her, I take a sip before handing it back. “At least just take today off. You need the time to deal.”
Fuck does she need the time. It’s the only reason I haven’t gone caveman on her ass yet.
The urge to claim her rears up in my chest.
The elevator doors open, and Declan steps into the foyer. “Mornin’,” he grumbles. The man is similar to me. We both don’t like people.
“The rest of the team downstairs?” I ask.
“Yeah.” He glances at Kiara. “Any restrictions?”
I shake my head. “None.”
Pulling my wallet out of my jacket’s pocket, I remove one of the credit cards and hold it out to Kiara.
She frowns at it.
“Take the card, Kiara.”
Confused eyes look up at me as she takes it from me. “Why?”
“It’s for if you need anything.”
“But…” She tilts her head, still confused as fuck.
“You’re my responsibility,” I remind her. “Buy anything you want with the card.”
Her eyebrow pops up. “We’re going to talk about this when you get home.”
Home. Where she’ll be waiting for me.
Stepping forward, I lean down and press a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll try to be back early, but there’s a lot to catch up on.”
“Okay.”
When I leave the penthouse, I wish I could stay home.
That’s a first.
Stepping into the elevator, I turn, and my eyes lock on Kiara, where she’s staring after me. The doors shut, and I suck in a deep breath, mentally readying myself for the day ahead.
I’m going to promote Devon to director. He’s worked on the executive floor long enough to fill the position.
Everything in me wants to promote Kiara to the assistant position, but that would show favoritism. Denise has been working there longer.
Walking into the basement, I nod at my men. I take the SUV to work, and the moment I enter Byrne Enterprises, I head for the reception counter.
“Morning, Mr. Byrne,” Denise greets me with a professional smile.
“Morning. Kiara won’t be in today. Let HR know so they can send someone to assist you.”
Her eyes widen slightly, probably because I’m the one informing her about Kiara.
“Also, Finn no longer works here. Direct all his calls to Devon.”
“Yes, sir.”
With that done, I head upstairs, and when I find Devon at his desk, I ask, “Did you get everything handled with your sister?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you for the time off. She moved in with me.”
“There goes your peace and quiet,” I joke, stopping at his desk. “Finn’s no longer working here.”
Relief settles over Devon’s face. “Best news you could’ve given me. But I figured something was up when he didn’t show up for work.”
I nod toward Finn’s old office. “Which means I’m promoting you to director.”
Instantly, a smile spreads over his face. “Are you serious?”
Nodding, I say, “Clear out Finn’s old office. Denise will take over from you but don’t say a word until she’s received her promotion.”
He nods, clearly happy with the changes.
“You’ll handle all of the incoming calls for Finn.”
“Yes, sir.”
The corner of my mouth lifts. “Just Liam. Can’t have my director calling me sir.” I walk to my office, unbuttoning my jacket and pulling it off so I can hang it up and get to work.
Sitting down behind my desk, I take a deep breath, then look at the list of calls I have to return.
Just as I pick up the office phone, my personal one starts to ring. I dig the device out of my pocket, and seeing Finn’s name flashing on the screen, there’s an instant burst of rage in my chest.
I thought he got rid of the phone.
“You better be calling me from hell,” I growl.
He lets out an amused chuckle. “I’m sitting pretty in heaven.”
“You gonna keep hiding, coward?”
He sighs. “No. You have a couple of things that belong to me.”
An aggressive chuckle escapes me. “Delusional as always.”
“The mafia needs someone willing to expand it into new territories.”
“Let me guess. Sex slavery?”
“So much money to be made.”
“Not the kind of money I’m interested in.”
“I’m coming for the mafia and Kiara.”
This time my chuckle is filled with brutality. “This is my world. Every fucking square inch. That includes Kiara.”
“Pretty little thing isn’t she,” he taunts me. “Tastes like strawberries and cream.”
Closing my eyes against the overwhelming wave of rage, I growl, “Come say that to my face.”
“Soon.”
The call ends, and I drop the device on the desk before I’m tempted to crush it. Standing up, I turn to look out of the window in the direction of the penthouse, several blocks away.
I’m going to fucking kill him. Slowly.
Turning around, I pick up the phone again and dial Will’s number.
“I’m downstairs,” he answers.
“Stop flirting with Denise. Finn called. He’s still using his phone. See if you can track the fucking thing before he disables it again.”
“On it.”
As soon as I end the call, I dial Viktor’s number.
“Liam?” he answers.
“I’m going to kill you,” I hear a woman shout in the background.
Frowning, I ask, “Is that Rosalie?” When we helped Nikolas take down the head of the Sicilian mafia, Viktor took the man’s granddaughter.
Honestly, I forgot about it.
“Yes, turns out the little rose has thorns,” he mutters. I hear him move and shut a door behind him. “Need something?”
“I’m sending you Finn’s phone number. He’s still using it.”
“That will help find the fucker.”
“Thanks.”
Ending the call, I only wonder about what Viktor’s going to do with Rosalie for a moment before my thoughts turn to Kiara.
Having her in my space has been nothing short of heavenly. It’s mindblowing how quickly my feelings for her have grown.
I will have to be straight with her and make it clear she belongs to me. I’m never letting her go.
God only knows how she’s going to handle it.
