Page 88 of The Forgotten

“Sullivan is it?” he asks. At my nod, he adds, “I’m an application developer, and thesegentlemendragged me off the street and in here.”

“Ryan, I gave you very specific instructions when you came to me about establishing your bar in my city, didn’t I?” I ask, my neck stretching from side to side in annoyance. “I’m deeply disappointed. Coercion and stealing from unsuspecting omegas wasn’t in your business plan.”

Kevin can’t seem to figure out if I’m being serious or not as his eyes widen slightly, but I am currently ignoring him as I glare at Ryan.

“Would it have helped if I had added it?” Ryan wheezes anxiously. Ah, I haven’t even threatened yet, and the pissant looks positively green.

They just don’t make criminals like they used to.

Pulling out my phone, I frown down at it as I think about who may be the closest.

Me:

Evan, we have a liar at Antonia’s. Care to see if Hayes is nearby to handle this? I’m in one of the back rooms.

My eyes flick up to see that Ryan is now standing. My lips curl into a crude version of an amiable smile as I shake my head.

“To respond to your question, it would not have helped,” I growl. “Pulling people off the street to discuss things with them isnotconsidered keeping your nose clean.”

“Why are you fucking everywhere,” Ryan whines. “I’ve been ducking you for the last month.”

“Ha! Do you think that type of talk is going to help you?” I ask, my hand dropping onto Kevin’s shoulder to keep him where he is.

I can feel him shifting as if he was going to stand and I’m not ready for him to do that yet. His incredible scent smells like he’s mine and my raging erection tells me that I need to sample what that means.

Glancing down at him, I suck my bottom lip into my mouth as I squeeze his shoulder.

“Mr. Sullivan, may I be of assistance?”

Antonia’s son is almost seven feet of steel, and I feel smugness fill me as I nod when I feel his presence behind me.

“Your timing is impeccable as always,” I say, stepping back to allow him entrance into the office.

“Evan called and said you may need some help,” Elio explains, leaning in through the door frame as he looks around the room. He doesn’t look happy as his eyes fall on Ryan. “You. Didn’t my mama ban you from our establishment?”

“Is Ryan being a royal pain in the ass overall?” I ask innocently.

“Yes, he is. He ran out on a check just last week,” Elio snarls.

Oh yeah, this guy has got to go. I have a feeling that Ryan won’t be washing dishes to cover his unpaid bill. Glancing at my phone, I see that I have a message from Evan.

Evan:

Hayes will be there in ten with Domh. Elio will be your support in the meantime, sir. I’m sitting with Aisling.

Well, at least I know she’ll be alright for now.

“A few of my men will be here soon to take him off your hands,” I tell Elio. “Feel free to address the issues you have with Ryan however you need, short of death, please.”

“Thank you. My mama is very displeased with him,” Elio growls.

“Her food is delicious, she should be well compensated. I’ll cover what he didn’t pay, but you’re welcome to defend your mama’s honor,” I say humbly.

“Nah, Mr. Sullivan. My mama would have my head for allowing that!” he gasps.

“I feel like I should go,” Kevin mumbles uncomfortably, swallowing hard as he stands.

My hand wraps around his bicep, finding that I can’t quite get all the way around. Holy hell. Kevin is a sexy, nerdy, muscle bound wet dream.