“You know she likes to maintain a professional distance due to Hidden Justice.”
He shook his head, rolling his eyes. “I’m a consultant now. So deep undercover, no one even knows. Not even that scum we took out knew about me or my skills. I run a gym. I pay taxes. I’m perfectly legal,” he said, his accent suddenly thick.
I chuckled. “Have you tried just asking her to dinner?”
“I have tried everything. I am stuck in the friend zone. Permanently.”
“She is stubborn.”
“Stubborn?” He snorted. “She is încapatânat.”
I laughed at his obvious ire.
“You are her cousin. You talk to her. Tell her what a great guy I am. I would treat her like a queen. My queen.”
“I’ll drop a word. We’re having dinner next week.”
“Good. All I want is a chance.”
He stood, heading to the front office and returning with the sketch he made. “I took a copy. See if I can find anything. Between us, he can’t hide.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that.”
“You like this girl?” he asked.
I huffed out a long breath. “Yeah, I do. There is something about her.”
“Like Marcus?” he asked. “Julian?”
“Maybe.”
“Then I will make it a priority.”
I stood and shook his hand.
“Send me anything you have on this asshole,” he instructed. “I’ll cast my net.”
“Thanks, Egan.”
“You’ll talk to Sofia, right?”
“I will.” I met his eyes. “And I won’t be lying when I tell her you’re a good guy. But she’s skittish. She saw what happened with all the bosses. Matteo, Marcus, Julian. How their wives became targets. That frightens her.”
“She would be safe. I would make it so. I would give it all up and just be Egan. Stay home and look after bebelusii.”
At my shocked expression, he smiled. “Sofia is a doctor. Very important. She loves what she does. I stay home with the children, and she can keep her career. I want only what is best for her.”
“You might want to back it up a little, Romeo. Get her to have dinner with you before you inform her you have day care planned.”
He laughed. “Good advice.” He was still laughing as he walked out the door.
I shook my head. I had a feeling my cousin didn’t stand a chance.
* * *
RAVEN
I checked my ponytail in the mirror in the teacher’s lounge, my nerves fluttering. They had been all day since Damien texted me. While it was true I hadn’t slept much, it wasn’t for the reason he thought. He’d chased Andy away—I knew I was safe in my apartment. Even if Andy returned and got into the building, he couldn’t get into my place. And I had called my principal and she picked me up this morning, so I hadn’t worried about running into him then either. Andy was, in fact, the last thing on my mind.