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He turned and gave me a warm, assessing gaze. “Dressed for a relaxing day?”

“Yes.” Although we spent a weekend together previously, that day started with him rolling in at five a.m. still wearing his standard dark suit. He didn’t even sleep, insisting we havebreakfast together before heading out to meet the realtors we lined up. Today, his eyes weren’t bloodshot at all. Sandro thrived on very little sleep, so even a few hours could recharge him.

He said he could sleep anywhere courtesy of his training as an assassin-for-hire.

He led me out the door. “I’ve been planning to spend the weekend with you.”

“What happened in Atlantic City?”

“There was no casino meeting,” he said. We moseyed down the corridors toward the elevators. Another change of pace. Sandro was usually brusque in his strides when we had to be at a function. “You mentioned a girls’ night out before I could mention my plans.”

“Aw...” I was…touched. There was almost a sheepish, boyish expression on Sandro’s face, and usually,boyishwas the last word I’d use to describe him. It was the vibe of the morning. Being carefree. He was about to punch the elevator call button when I touched his arm.

“Wait, you don’t usually go out…” I lowered my voice. “Unarmed.”

He quirked a brow and lifted the right pant leg to reveal his piece.

“Okay, you have your backup.”

“We’ll have Sticks and Rossi soldiers trailing us.” He pressed the button to call the elevator. “But I told them to be as discreet as possible.”

“You’ve been relying more on the Rossis for security lately,” I told him.

“When the club opens, Sticks and Miller are going to be busy. I’ll be hiring people to kick our Rossi soldiers up to snuff.”

The elevator came and we got in.

“Oh, you mean guys like Trevor.”

“And your cousin Ronan and his men.”

Ex-military. Ex-special forces.

He cleared his throat. “I know we haven’t discussed your family’s underground organization.”

I grinned. “The Archer Syndicate. You can say it. Between us, it’s not much a secret and more like going on record.”

“I’ll also be hiring you private security.”

“Wouldn’t that cause friction in the family?”

“Not if they benefit from the training,” he said. “Also, I don’t want anyone who can be bribed.”

We discontinued our conversation when we reached the lobby. Sticks already had an Escalade brought around.

When Sandro and I got into the second-row passenger seat, he asked, “When will Jabbin’ Java reopen?”

“Another two weeks,” I replied. “Renz also wanted to be in better shape, especially since they’re doing a social media blast.”

“Go big or go home,” Sandro muttered.

“You got it. Hey, I have an idea. Instead of sitting at a café, how about we picnic in Central Park?”

An incredulous expression crossed his face. “You want us to go strolling in Central Park holding a picnic basket?”

My brows furrowed. “Is that area not safe?” I was pretty sure the whole expanse of the park was covered under the protection of the De Luccis and another crime family that was our ally.

“It is,” Sandro said, confirming what I already knew.