“James!” Thomas yelled as James walked by his office.

Thomas and I had spent the last thirty minutes talking about the possibility of them hiring Ret as a bounty hunter and private investigator at ALFA. We always had too many cases and often juggled more than we should. An extra body, and one who knew how to find people, would be an asset.

James walked backward, sticking his face in the doorway. “What’s up?”

Thomas motioned toward the seat next to me. “We gotta talk. Have a minute?”

He slapped his hand against the doorframe. “I’m not doing anything,” he said sarcastically as he walked inside.

Thomas rolled his eyes. “So Bear found us a possible lead on a new hire.”

James looked at me and then to Thomas. “Who?”

“Dude’s a bounty hunter and is looking to settle down.”

James rubbed his chin and smiled. “Interesting. Could be a great match for our company.”

“That’s what I think too. We could use another set of hands around here.”

“So then it’s a yes?” I asked, fidgeting in my chair because I wanted this so badly I could almost taste it.

“How do you know him?” James asked.

“He’s my kid.” It felt weird to say that. I didn’t really talk about either of my children with the guys.

James smiled. “Ah, that makes it even better.”

“He’s stopping in today to see me, and I thought I’d see what you guys thought before I introduced him. He’s looking to relocate, and I thought we’d be a perfect fit.”

“Way to be a team player for once.” Thomas laughed, and James joined him.

“If it weren’t for wanting to keep my kid close, I’d tell you both to fuck off.”

Thomas cleared his throat. “Bring him to my office when he gets here.”

I pushed myself up from the chair, too excited to let them annoy me. “I’ll do that.”

“Close the door behind you. James and I need to talk in private.”

I nodded, closing the door and heading straight to my office. Getting work done while I waited was impossible. All I could think about was that my son could be working in the same building as me and I’d never miss another day with him.

“Bear.” Angel’s sultry voice came through the intercom as I was digging through a pile of papers.

“Yeah.”

“A Mr. Ret North is here to see you.”

“Send him back,” I said in a strangled voice.

My stomach started to flip over, and I jumped from my seat, smoothing down my clothes and combing my beard with my fingers like I was about to go on a date instead of seeing my son again.

Ret strolled into my office in a pair of dark blue jeans, a tight black T-shirt, and black Harley boots like he’d just walked off the set of the Fast & Furious. He definitely looked like he’d fit right in with the other guys here at ALFA. Lord knows I never did.

“Hey, Pop,” he said like no separation had ever happened. It flowed easily from his lips and brought the biggest smile to my face.

“Glad you made it.” I rounded my desk and pulled him into my arms before he even tried to shake my hand. I’d never been a hugger, but for my kid, I’d hug him every chance I got.

“Impressive setup you have here.”

“I wish I could take the credit, but it’s my buddies’ business.”

“Still,” he said, pulling out of my arms. “You’ve done well for yourself.”

“It helps to surround yourself with good people. Their family changed my life.”

“I talked with Alese,” he said and smiled.

“Sit. Let’s talk.” I motioned toward the chair and leaned against the desk while he sat. “What did she say?”

“She said she’s fine moving anywhere as long as we’re together.”

“And what do you think?” I crossed my fingers under my arm.

“I like the idea of being closer to family and getting to know you and Franny better.”

“Her son works here too.”

“Oh. How does that work?”

“Now?” I laughed and shook my head. “It’s fine, but it was a bit touch and go when Fran and I hooked up.”

“Uh, yeah. I can imagine.”

“You’ll like Morgan. He’s former military and a good kid. His wife owns a racetrack not far from here.”

“Sounds like my kind of people. And the other guys?”

“Well, there’s Sam—he’s ex-FBI. Thomas and James are ex-DEA and also brothers-in-law. Thomas is Fran’s nephew.”

“So this is mainly a family operation?”

I shook my head. “No, but it’s friends and family. They only surround themselves with people they know they can trust.”

“If they want another employee, then I’m game.”

I tried to hold in my excitement, but I failed. “Yes!” Fist-pumping the air, I did a little dance with my upper body.

“Don’t do that again.”

“What?” My head rocked back.

He waved his hands in the air between us. “Whatever that was. Just don’t.”

I glared at him. “My moves always impressed the ladies.”

“You’re lucky your ass is old, Pop. That shit don’t work today.”

“Little fucker.” I laughed. “You’re going to fit in here like a glove.”

Thomas and James walked past my door and backed up and pointed toward Ret. I nodded, letting them know that he was indeed my son.

“Hey,” Thomas said, walking in very casually. “I’m Thomas, part owner of ALFA. This is James.” He pitched a thumb over his shoulder. “My partner in the business.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Ret,” he said, holding out his hand and shaking Thomas’s hand very calmly.

“So we heard you might be interested in a job.”

“Yes, sir.” Ret smiled, glancing over his shoulder at me.

“Have a few minutes to talk?” James asked.

“I sure do.”

“Bear, we’re going to steal him for a bit. Is that okay with you?” Thomas asked out of respect.

“It’s fine. We’ll catch up when you’re done,” I told them, but the three of them were already in the hallway.

Thomas pulled the door closed behind him, and I broke out into my dance again. The same one Ret told me never to perform again. But now the audience was just me, and nothing made me want to dance more than the thought of having Ret near.

---

“So how’d it go today?” Fran asked before I had the chance to kick off my shoes.

“Fucking perfect. Ret starts in two weeks. He just needs to go back to Miami and pack up his things.”

She ran across the room and jumped into my arms. “That’s amazing.”

“It is,” I said into her neck, taking in her scent and closing my eyes.

She tipped her head back, giving me access to the entire side of her neck. “We should celebrate.”

“Am I getting anal tonight?” I murmured.

“No,” she said in a breathy tone.

“Not even if I eat your pussy for an hour?” I smiled against her skin.

“Hmm.” She laughed. “That’s a tempting offer.”

My fingers dug into her ass cheeks. “I want you so bad, Franny.” I growled when her ass clenched in my palms. “Do this for me.”

“What do I get out of this?” she asked, digging her fingernails into my shoulders.

“A killer orgasm that’ll make you black out.”

“Uh, I have those without you sticking it in my ass, babe.”

“Sweetheart.” I pulled away so she could see the need in my eyes. “It was worth a shot.”

“My ass is the tightest thing I have on this old body. I’d prefer for it to stay intact.”

“You’re the boss, Franny. You’re the boss.” I laughed.

One thing Jackie taught me is that the women run the show. Hell, I’d watched the Gallo family closely over the years too, and Fran and Maria had that shit running like a well-oiled machine.

Men did not rule the world.

Men did not make the decisions.

It’s just how shit was, and I knew it was how Fran planned on being. She couldn’t hand over the reins to me. It went against her nature and probably her genetics.

“But,” I said, moving my hands from her ass to her beautiful face. “I want you to make me a promise.”

“What, Bear?”

“No more talkin’ bad about yourself. Your body is beautiful, your face is stunning, but the thing I love about you most is your heart.” I rubbed my nose against hers. “Even if you are a nosy little thing sometimes.”

“But I brought your kids back.” She smiled.

“You did.” I kissed her lips softly. “And for that, I’ll always love you.”

I never expected there to be another woman on this planet who got me. But Fran DeLuca did. I needed her in my life, and she needed me. We were the perfect mix together.

Her nosiness came from a place of love. She knew that I wanted my kids in my life but didn’t have the balls to do it myself.

She made it happen.

And for that, I’d always be by her side.

Eventually, maybe I’d get in her ass too.