Page 6 of His Ruthless Match

Jareth:Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?

Boss man:We don’t leave until later tonight. This can’t wait.

Groaning, I tossed my phone back onto the counter. So much for a quiet evening. I muttered a string of curses under my breath as I turned toward the shower, already preparing for whatever mess The Shadow was about to drag me into.

“Fucking Shadow,” I grumbled. “He really needs a hobby.”

I didn’t bother knockingas I strode into The Shadow’s study. Formalities weren’t my style, and after years of working together, I knew damn well he didn’t expect them from me. The door thudded shut behind me as I stepped over the threshold.

Behind the oversized desk, The Shadow paused his typing, his sharp gaze flicking up to meet mine. His dark hair was still immaculately styled, his tailored suit unwrinkled. Of course, he’d find time to work the day after his wedding.

“Do you ever knock?” he asked dryly as he resumed typing.

“Do you ever stop working?” I shot back, dropping into one of the chairs opposite his desk. The leather creaked beneath me as I stretched out and tapped my fingers on the armrest. “It’s the day after your wedding, man.”

He ignored me. Typical. The Shadow didn’t believe in distractions, even when they came in the form of a lifelong partner and a room full of champagne.

“You’re a real romantic, you know that? Vivian must be thrilled.”

Finally, he finished whatever was so damn important and pushed away from the desk. His dark eyes locked onto mine. “I have an assignment for you.”

I perked up, my lips curling into a grin. “Please tell me it’s something exciting. The last job was boring as hell. Very anticlimactic.”

Raffaele didn’t so much as blink. “This is one of the most important assignments I’ve ever given you.”

That got my attention. “Go on.”

His tone sharpened, each word clipped with precision. “I want you to keep an eye on my sister.”

I blinked, waiting for the punchline. When it didn’t come, I let out a short laugh. “I don’t babysit. Can’t you put one of your other lackeys on her detail? I’m an assassin, not a glorified bodyguard.”

“I need someone with no attachments.”

I smirked. “Oh, I’mveryattached to you, boss.”

He scowled. “I also need someone who won’t hesitate to do whatever it takes to keep her safe. That means my top assassin.”

My amusement faded as I registered the seriousness in his tone. His shoulders were tight, his jaw clenched just enough to give him away. This wasn’t a game to him. Not that The Shadow ever played games, but this was different. This was personal.

I sighed. “Safe from what?”

He hesitated, and for a moment, I saw something like concern or maybe even fear flicker across his face. “She’s gained some unwanted attention recently. Her work with the human actress, Genevieve Witt, has put her in the spotlight. And she doesn’t take her own safety seriously enough.”

My brows rose. “So I’m supposed to play bodyguard while she prances around the human world? This doesn’t exactly sound like my area of expertise.”

“It’s not negotiable,” he said flatly.

I tilted my head, studying him. “How do you evenhavea human sister? Please tell me this isn’t some long-lost family drama you’re dropping on me now.”

The Shadow’s jaw tightened, the muscle ticking. “You don’t need to know everything, Jareth.”

I raised an eyebrow, and he continued, his voice steady despite the obvious irritation.

“Eva is the result of Lord Thorne’s affair with a human prostitute. I got her out of his reach when she was younger, and she’s spent her life building something away from this world. She doesn’t want anything to do with The Below, and I’d like to honor her wishes.”

I let out a low whistle. “Well, that’s a hell of a family tree. So, what—you’re worried one of your enemies is going to sniff her out?”

“All of this unwanted attention is exactly what she should be avoiding. If anyone from outside my closest circle in The Below figures out she’s my sister…”