“I hope you can.” I paused, studying him. This would cost me a great deal of money—Hadeon didn’t obey orders for free. But he knew that doing as instructed would bring his family greater prosperity, and as long as he kept the cash flowing to his soldiers and his lieutenants, he’d stay in his leadership role.
And in this world, it was either rule or die. There was no such thing as a living former don.
Before I could sit down and begin the meeting in earnest—there was strategy to go over, finances to discuss, other miscellaneous pieces of information to negotiate—the doors slammed open, and Winter strode in.
I stared at her and tried to keep my frustration in check. Of course she’d burst in here right now. The girl didn’t know when enough was enough. She was lucky that stunt at the pool hadn’t resulted in harsher punishments. She’d ruined priceless antiques and upset my mother—which meant I’d had to deal with the fallout.
Winter wore a skirt so short I thought it might slip up over her ass as she stalked toward the table. Her top was tight, cut low, showing off a hint of her breasts. I couldn’t remember giving her clothing like that, but I had to admit she looked fantastic, with her long, lean legs, and that mean-mug face, smirking ever so slightly.
She had no clue she’d just waltzed into a lion’s den dressed like a delicious sheep.
Hadeon stared in her direction and his eyes narrowed. “What’s this?”
“Looks like your new toy’s crashing the party,” Anthony murmured.
“She’s not my toy.” I turned toward her. “What are you doing here, Winter?”
“I heard there was a meeting, and I thought I might be of some use.” She walked over and draped her arm around me, pressing herself against my side. I bristled as her bare skin brushed against my arm and a jolt of desire ricocheted along my spine, down to my toes, and straight back to my brain. She was sultry and gorgeous and her eyes blinked up at mine, wide and doe-like, playing up that bullshit innocence.
She knew what she was doing. This was the pool all over again.
“Gentlemen,” I said, staring down at her, unable to take my eyes away. “Let me introduce Winter Kresswell. She’s a guest at the manor.”
“Hello, Winter,” Hadeon said. “I wasn’t aware we’d be having entertainment at the table, though I will admit, you do not displease me.”
Winter tensed. She didn’t like Hadeon’s implication, and I couldn’t blame her.
“Apologize to the lady.” I turned my attention to the Ukrainian gangster.
He stared up at me with a bewildered smile. “Surely you are joking. This prostitute—”
I gently pushed Winter away and stepped toward him.
Hadeon was a wolf. He stalked the streets of Chicago and slaughtered whatever lambs he came across—sometimes for fun, sometimes for profit. He bristled with muscles and barely restrained violence, and his nose was crooked from one too many fights.
That didn’t stop me from slamming my fist into the crook of his half-smiling mouth.
He grunted in surprise, head snapping back. The other men at the table began to stand, but Anthony was already on his feet, his gun drawn.
“Easy,” he said, eyes narrowed.
Funny, jovial Anthony was damn good with that pistol.
“You will apologize to my guest,” I said, unable to keep the rage from my tone. “You will grovel and pray this lady forgives you, Hadeon, or I will make sure your pathetic two-bit excuse for a fucking crime family burns to the goddamn ground.”
Hadeon showed his teeth. “You need me, Servant. You don’t have anyone else.”
“I have money and influence. I can buy ten more of you.” I jerked my head toward Winter. “Apologize.”
The moment stretched. Hadeon was not the type of man to take a punch, then say he was sorry.
But I wasn’t the type of man to let him leave this room alive if he didn’t.
Everyone knew it. Anthony wouldn’t hesitate if I ordered him to kill.
He’d done it before. He’d do it again.
This wasn’t smart. Starting a pissing match over Winter hadn’t been my brightest idea, but it hadn’t been a conscious decision—as soon as Hadeon insulted her, I couldn’t stop myself. Even if his insult wasn’t intentional, I had to redress it.
I didn’t know why. Winter was nothing to me, only a tool, a pet, a new toy. Anthony wasn’t so wrong about that. And yet I cared about how she felt, and a hot rage burned in my chest at the thought of Hadeon looking at her like a piece of meat he could take and fuck at will.
I owned Winter. She was mine, under my protection, and I’d treat her as such.
Hadeon let out a rumbling breath and looked at her. “I apologize for my rash words. I did not realize you and Darren were as close as you evidently are.”