Page 20

I won't break, though. Better men have tried.But they didn't turn me on the way she does.

Lips tilted in a pout, she follows me out of my office, frustrated with not getting her way. She wants to leave, but that pout isn’t going to get her what she wants.

"Let's make a deal," I say, and Olivia's gaze snaps to mine. Her arms are still crossed over her chest, and she narrows her eyes, scrutinizing me as if she's trying to figure out my angle.

"What kind of deal?"

"I'll take you to your bar. You can check in on everything and see your grandfather."

"Okay…" She seems hesitant, even though this is exactly what she wanted.

"But first, I need you to shower. I'll have new clothes sent to your room. You'll get cleaned up and dressed. I have some things to take care of, so you'll be on your own this afternoon, but you'll behave." I give her a stern look at that demand. "One of my men will be here to look out for you. I'll be back for dinner, and you'll eat with me. If we get through today with no more problems, I'll take you to your bar in the morning."

Olivia tugs her bottom lip between her teeth, gnawing on the poor thing while she thinks over my offer.

With a mind of its own, my hand darts out, freeing her bottom lip. She gasps as I make contact, her lips still parted.

Electricity fizzles between us. Just a simple touch, and we both can feel it.

I cough, pulling my hand back and shaking off this interaction.It's nothing.

"So?" I ask, bringing us back to the conversation.

"Okay." She nods. "I accept your deal."

"Good—" I'm about to call her agood girl, a compliment I keep finding myself giving. I can't help it when I see how her eyes sparkle, suggesting that even though she resents being stuck here, my approval still makes her happy. But then John walks through my front door, his eyes serious, and I know there must be a problem.

"Go upstairs," I tell her.

Olivia looks between me and my cousin, and I think she must feel the tension that's just entered the room. Surprisingly, she doesn't argue, just nods her agreement and turns on her heel, heading for the staircase.

I have to redirect my mind, shake her from my thoughts, because I get the feeling that I'm not going to like whatever John’s about to say.

Olivia is barely upthe stairs before my Aunt Carlotta barges through my front door. One of my men is gripping onto her arm, trying to pull her back, but she shakes it off with a stream of curses flying from her lips.

"Carlotta's here," John deadpans, gesturing to our aunt. My grandfather had four children; three girls, all born before my father. As the only male heir, my father was always meant to take overla famiglia, a fact that angered the oldest two daughters.

And Carlotta? She married Damien.

I expected my newly widowed aunt to be pissed off when she discovered her husband was murdered right after I was “missing.” What I didn't expect was to be distracted with a little blue-eyed witness while also having a motorcycle club coming after my business.

I rub my temples.

"Aunt Carlotta, why don't we speak in my office." I try to redirect her, but she's not hearing me.

She's a disheveled mess, looking the roughest I've ever seen her. My aunt has always been focused on appearance. Dressed to the nines, with a full face of makeup every time she leaves the house. But Carlotta's face isn't made up, save for the black smears under her eyes. She's wearing a matching sweat suit and sneakers, which is very dressed down for her.

With a hiss, she marches until she's face to face with me, a manicured finger stabbing me in the chest.

"You little asshole!"

I grab her finger, pulling it down and away from me. She winces at the roughness of my action. "My office," I growl, tugging her through the French doors.

John follows us, shutting the doors so my new house guest doesn't hear our conversation.

"How dare you!" she shouts, her hand flailing in the air. "Who do you think you are?"

"The boss." My voice is commanding as I step into her space, backing her up until she falls into the chair Olivia was just sitting in. For the first time, I see fear in my aunt's eyes.