Page 33 of Claimed By the Boss

“West 49th. The Vasilievs hit the loan office. They took half the street earnings from the last two weeks.”

I rein in my anger as I answer him. “Who was on the ground?”

“Petrov and Manny. Petrov’s fine. Manny caught one in the leg but managed to get out. They left two of theirs behind. We caught them trying to torch the place.”

My jaw tightens. “And what did you do with them?”

“They’re in the warehouse. I’ve got them tied up and quiet for now. I figured you’d want to handle these two on your own.”

I sigh and consider it. I do want to handle it myself, but I don’t want to leave Lyra after the incredible night we just shared. It makes it all feel rushed and cheap. That’s not what I want to do to her after her first time, but it seems I don’t have much of a choice.

“I’m on my way,” I tell him. “I’ll meet you at the site in thirty.”

I hang up.

I walk back into the bedroom and find her sitting up, the sheet pulled over her chest. Her hair’s a mess, her cheeks still flushed. There’s nothing I would love more than to slide back under the covers with her and keep discovering her body. I wonder how much she can take, how fast she can take it. I wonder what her lips would look like wrapped around my cock.

But that’s not the world I live in. There isn’t time for that kind of intimacy.

Her eyes search mine immediately.

“Is everything okay?”

I sit on the edge of the bed and run a hand down her back.

“Something came up at work. I need to go handle it.”

She nods, but I can see the flicker of disappointment in her eyes. She hides it well.

“You don’t have to explain,” she says as she gathers her underwear and pulls it on.

“I know,” I say. “But I want you to know that this isn’t some bullshit M.O. of mine. If I hadn’t gotten that call, I’d already be inside of you again.”

I press a kiss to her shoulder. She leans into it, warm and soft and everything I don’t deserve.

“I have a car waiting outside,” I tell her. “It’ll take you home.”

She studies me for a moment.

“Will I see you again?”

I don’t hesitate. “Of course you will.”

“I don’t mean at the office,” she says carefully.

I know what I should say. I know I should tell her about my rule, especially after she’s been so honest with me. But I can’t bring myself to say the words when she’s standing in front of me in nothing but her underwear, looking so fucking stunning.

“You will, I tell her.

She nods, and I stand.

By the time I’ve dressed and walked her to the private elevator, she’s put herself back together. I watch her step into the elevator and don’t take my eyes from hers until the doors close.

The warehouse isn’t far. Alek’s already inside by the time I arrive. The place is industrial and quiet, the lights low, the air thick with the smell of oil and dirt. One of the side rooms has been converted to a holding space, makeshift and efficient.

Two men kneel in the center of the room, wrists zip-tied behind them, hoods still on. One is bleeding from his head or face, a slow trickle staining the collar of his shirt. The other’s leg is bent at a bad angle, but he’s still conscious and alert.

Alek stands just behind them, arms crossed, boots planted wide.