“I mean, what’s the worst they can do?” The Bratva may be pissed we took a shipment from them, but they should’ve known better than to assume Petrov could speak on our behalf. Apparently they did make that assumption though, and now they’re saying we owe them. I lean back a bit on the bar stool and look around. We’re in the bistro now, just chatting it up.

“They could come here, but I doubt they will. Too much effort,” Kane says. Most of the guys are here, bullshitting and having a drink. I like Kane. He's new to the familia, but he knows his shit and he's good at what he does. Which right now is taking over my position.

“It’s not the loss of one shipment, it’s their entire trade structure that they have to rebuild. A few million in revenue,” Vince says from across the bar. I cross my arms and take it in. They haven’t threatened us, but they made it clear they were pissed.

“It’s not our fault they were doing all their shit through Petrov,” Joey says.

“Maybe sending his body to them instead of the women wasn’t the way to go?” Anthony’s question has a few of the men chuckling.

“I’m not sure it’s even worth replying. It’s not like we do business with these people.” I offer up my opinion. We keep our trades to Mexico, and that’s it. The new dealer there is low-key and reasonable. Nice and easy. None of this overseas shit.

“We need to respond with something.” Vince takes another drink and adds, “I want this to be a clean break away from them, but I sure as shit am not buying them off.” They want 2 million for their hardship, which is bullshit, and I know Vince isn’t going to pay them. It's quiet for a few minutes.

“Fuck ‘em,” he finally says, “let ‘em come to us. Tony’s got eyes on their contacts here. We’ll know they're coming before they strike.” He puts his glass down and pulls out his phone. I know he’s checking on his wife, Elle, and his little one. Angelo is a cutie and almost six months old now. Ever since he's made his arrival, Vince checks his phone on the hour every hour.

Marcus comes up behind me and pats my shoulder as he says, “Your shadow’s out front.” He says it loud enough so that the rest of the guys can hear. Anthony chuckles into his drink, “Funny how you wanted to keep an eye on her, and now she's coming to you.” He smirks and throws back his drink.

I spent a couple days just watching her after I looked her up. I had Tony do a little digging, too. I can’t shake this broad. She looks on edge every time she’s alone, yet she’s completely confident and at ease any other time. Something’s off about her, and I wanna know what it is. She knows her shit though. She's a tough bitch, not quite the quiet, demure type I pegged her for. And she fucking hates Harrison. The first time I saw her mimicking him behind his back and rolling her eyes, I laughed so fucking hard I thought they were going to hear me. I like that about her, but there's something else there, too. Something that had me chasing her ass.

I’d be a fucking liar if I said something about fucking a cop doesn’t have me interested. Most of the time I was watching her that's all I could think about Bending her ass over and taming that wild side of her. The taboo aspect has me getting hard thinking about using her own cuffs to chain her to my bed. I think I just need to fuck this broad out of my system.

Vince rolls his eyes and says, “You need to tell her to back the fuck off, Tommy. We have restraining orders for a fucking reason.”

“We don’t have them on her.” I can hear how defensive I am, and it throws Vince off. I’m quick to add, “I’m being watched and on lockdown; better her than that prick.”

I like her watching me. I like knowing she’s close. And besides, I’m inactive until I’m completely in the clear, so there’s nothing to worry about there. If nothing else, it's giving me something else to take my mind off this shit.

“Well, get her out of here,” Anthony says as he looks me up and down. “And try to keep your dick in your pants.” The guys laugh as I stand up.

“I hear you.” I’m ready to get out of here anyway.

Vince follows me to the door.

“I don’t like this talk about fucking a cop,” he says.

“I’m not, so it’s all good.” He watches me as I look past him at the door. I don't tell him I want to, but I'm too fucking obvious.

“You’re a shit liar, Tommy.”

“I’m not lying.” I don’t even believe me as I say it. But it's the truth. I haven't touched her. Yet.

“You’re not telling the truth, either.”

I open my mouth to respond, but I don’t. He knows I wanna fuck her. Everybody fucking knows it.

“You’re looking for trouble, Tommy,” Vince says in a lowered voice. “And that’s what you’re going to get.”

“I’m not gonna do anything stupid, boss.” He's gotta know I wouldn't say shit to her. I'd never breathe a word of anything.

“Women make us do stupid shit. And she’s a cop.” He stares into my eyes, willing me to listen to him. “Don’t fucking believe a word she tells you.” His hand grips my shoulder as I nod.

I know this shit looks bad. I don’t know why I’m drawn to this broad. She could fuck me over in a heartbeat. I’m not going to give her shit. But the thought of playing with her is giving me a high I haven’t felt before. I know she wants in, and I’m dying to find out how much I can push her.

Vince shakes his head as he warns me, “Do not fuck this up to get your dick wet.”

“I won’t say shit, Vince. You know I won’t risk the familia.”

He huffs a laugh and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m not worried about that shit, I’m worried about you fucking a cop, Tommy. Tell me you aren’t trying to get into her pants and I’ll feel better.”

I hesitate to answer. I’m not gonna lie. I wanna fuck this broad, she’s hot as shit and the idea of those lips wrapped around my cock has my dick hardening every fucking time it comes to mind. Even right fucking now.

“Jesus, Tommy,” he says with exasperation. Fuck. I don’t wanna piss off the Don.

“I won’t,” I say with regret in the pit of my stomach.

“You’re fucking lying to me,” he says, although he doesn’t sound that pissed about it.

“I’ve never lied to you before.” I look him in the eyes, “if you’re telling me to stay away from her, I’ll end this shit right now and threaten a restraining order.”

“Good. End this shit,” he says with relief and finality in his voice. Well that fucking sucks. I take a frustrated breath and leave the guys to go tell her she needs to stay away.

I feel a wave of disappointment as I leave the bistro. But then I see her walking toward me with quick steps. She’s in civilian clothes. Jeans that hug her curves and a teal tank top that rides up a little as she walks. The color brings out her eyes.

I can play a little more. Just a little before I have to give her up.

Fuck, no. I told Vince I wouldn’t, and I know I shouldn’t.

I hate that I want her and that I can’t go after her. But I have to listen to Vince.