Page 10

Matthias

I call Sebastian, hoping to catch him before Dom fills him in on my little mishap.

“Hey man, I need a favor.” I keep my voice light and casual. Like I’m not hiding a kidnapped woman in my bedroom.

Bash has always had a sharp moral compass, or at least as much as you can in our profession. I thought I did too, but one look at her and, well… While Roman would probably find the situation hilarious, Bash?

Bash might tell Mom.

And I do not need that problem right now.

Since I only have Margot’s first name and address, there’s not much I can dig up on my own. I need Bash’s skills.

“Yeah, what’s up?” He sounds upbeat.

“How much information can you get me on someone if I only give you a first name and home address?”

Bash scoffs. “Don’t insult me. Who’s the target?”

“Margot. 6215 Goodwood Ave. ”

“On it. Who is she? Is she involved with something? Does Dom know?”

“Don’t tell Dom!” The words come out too fast.

Bash goes silent for a second. “Matthias, what’s going on? Is this a woman you’re seeing?”

“Don’t worry about it. Just get me the information.”

There’s a knock on my door.

“Come in.”

In walks Ryan, the guard stationed outside Margot’s door.

Before I can put Sebastian on hold, Ryan starts talking.

“Boss, I heard a noise from the bedroom, so I went in and found her on her phone . She was answering a call when I apprehended–”

“Stop! Stop speaking!” I shout frantically. “Bash, I’m going to put you on hold.” I hear him start to protest before I press the button.

I turn to Ryan. “What happened?”

He pales. “I heard some noise coming out of the bedroom, so I walked in. I saw her talking on the phone. She was receiving a call. I took the phone before she could say anything. Here.” He hands me a phone in a light blue case.

At first, I’m proud of him. Then his words register, and I’m furious.

“You walked into my bedroom. Where she was. Alone. Without permission. Then forcibly apprehended her phone?” I try to stay calm, but by the end of the sentence, I’m bellowing.

“Sir, I thought you wouldn’t want her calling for help. I apologize.” His voice wavers. He’s afraid. Good, he should be afraid.

I stare at him for a long, tense second.

Then I take the phone and clench my jaw .

“Go back to guarding her door. Do not walk in again. If you hear anything, call me.” I dismiss him. Looking at him any longer will just piss me off more.

Ryan nods stiffly and rushes out.

I exhale, trying to cool the anger simmering in my chest.

How dare he touch her.

How dare he manhandle her.

How dare he walk into my bedroom where she is alone. Where she could have been indecent.

I shake the thought off and focus on the phone in my hand. It’s locked, of course.

I take Bash off hold. “Hey, sorry about that. One of my men needed something.” I keep my tone carefree, as though I didn’t just consider murdering my own security.

“What the hell is going on Matthias? Why is one of your men taking a girl’s phone? Who is Margot Peterson?”

I blink. Margot Peterson .

I like it. It fits her.

But Margot Montclair will sound so much better.

“Don’t worry about it.” I dismiss it quickly. “Tell me what you found.”

“No. Tell me what’s going on.”

I sigh. “Bash, trust me. You know me. I would never hurt a woman. Everything is fine. Just tell me what you’ve found.”

Bash hesitates. “Fine. Give me another hour, and I’ll send you a file.”

I smirk. He trusts me. He always has.

“Thanks. Oh, also, how do you get into a phone with a password?”

Bash walks me through a code that’ll unlock all phones, which is very concerning information to know exists.

A call interrupts me before I can dig through her phone.

It’s Rocco, the guy picking up Benny .

“What is it?” I snap.

“I’m having a problem with the dog, sir. He won’t come with me.”

I roll my eyes. “He’s a puppy. Just pick him up.”

“I don’t think he is. He’s huge.” Rocco hesitates. “Sir, you don’t understand. He has to be over 200lbs.”

I pause.

She has a massive guard dog?

I like that. I like that she has something looking after her.

“Is he attacking you?”

“No. He’s just lying there. Didn’t even look up when I walked in.” He deadpans. “This is the worst guard dog I’ve ever seen.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. Of course. Of course she would have a lazy guard dog.

“Lure him out with some food. Make it quick.”

She has zero survival instincts.

She followed a stranger into a dark alley. Then she stayed after overhearing a murder being planned.

Really, it’s her fault I had to take her. How else was I supposed to handle the situation?

Maybe by not kidnapping her.

I ignore that thought.

***

I smell him before I see him.

The door opens, and in strolls a giant English mastiff.

Benny.

He doesn’t even look for Margot.

What a terrible guard dog.

“Where should we put his stuff?” Rocco asks, carrying an absurdly large, well-used dog bed and a bag of toys. “There’s more in the car. I just grabbed everything. ”

I glance at Benny. I don’t trust this puppy in my office. He’s eyeing my desktop cords.

“Put him in a downstairs bedroom.” I don’t want dog slobber on my furniture. And I’m certain if he found my pantry, he’d clear it out in under ten minutes.

Rocco nods and leaves.

Benny stares at me.

“Looks like it’s just you and me.”

His eyes narrow.

Finally, some concern about Margot. It only took him four hours. We’re going to have to work on that.

He starts walking around the desk, eyeing me.

“No. Stay.”

He ignores me.

“Stay.” My voice sharpens.

He doesn’t even blink.

Of course, Margot’s dog is just as disobedient as her.

When he reaches me, he rests his head on my lap.

And then.

Puppy dog eyes.

I stare at him.

“No.”

His eyes widen.

“No.”

His lip quivers.

“Fuck. Fine.” I rub his head.

He sighs. Actually sighs.

“No one hears about this. Got it?”

He leans into my leg.

If only his owner were this easy to please.

After a few minutes, he settles at my feet, sighing like he’s had a long day. As if he’s the one dealing with a fiery woman and a potential war .

I’ll admit, he’s a sweet dog. Useless as a guard dog, but at least he’s big enough to be intimidating.

I glance down, reaching to pet him again, and freeze.

There are wet slobber streaks on my Italian slacks.

I exhale slowly. “Did you seriously just drool on me?”

Benny blinks. Unbothered.

I narrow my eyes. “You little–”

He tilts his head at me, and my annoyance evaporates.

I sigh. “Fine. You’re not an asshole.”

I give him another scratch behind the ears. A silent apology for my completely justified insult.

He leans into my touch, his massive body pressing into my legs.

Jesus. He's been here five minutes, and I’m already whipped.

I shake my head.

“Welcome to your new home, Benny Boo Boo.”