Page 105 of The Mafia Enforcer's Temptation

He gets up and paces the room. “The man I killed in the diner was X gang. Some man with a scar seems to be of importance and we’ve seen him. He’s the one identified as Hank, whoever the fuck he is, and then there’s whoever attacked you in the little park.”

His green eyes focus on my darkening with each word.

“Not to mention Romanov and the cartel that’s making moves. And also, according to him,” he continues, “is that your little bratva has a lot of other people interested in making moves because of us. You and me. So you see why I have so many questions.”

“I do,” I say.

“Does it make any sense to you?”

Seamus is a very clever man. He says all of this like he’s thought it all out, after hitting me with the bombshell that Claudetta wasn’t the one killed. He says all this like he’s trying to extend an olive branch, like he wants to work with me to try and find out what’s going on.

But he’s watching me carefully.

He still doesn’t trust me.

Not at all.

For some reason, that twists my insides. It shouldn’t. We don’t like each other.

Even though it makes sense to be uneasy allies, we still don’t like or trust each other.

I think about everything that’s happened. All of it.

From the men on the grounds of Romanov’s mansion when he caught me. Then Olaf. Then the threat of the man who grabbed me today.

“What if this is really about the bratva?”

“Seamus?”

I stop talking as he looks at me.

Dr. Tan comes out before I can say anything else. “The animals are hurt, I won’t lie. I think someone tried to beat them. But they’ll be okay. We’re going to keep them for a few days to run tests and find out what they need.”

Seamus nods and shakes her hand. Then he pulls out a wad of cash from his pocket and hands it to her. “Thanks, Doc.”

“Clawzilla and Arnold are due for their shots and checkups,” she says, “so make sure Declan or Callahan brings them in soon.”

“Will do.”

We leave and head back to the car. It’s late, and this part of the city is quiet. I reach for the door handle but Seamus stops me from getting in. He cages me in with his hands, and I can’t deny the shivers of need that race through me. “You were saying something before the vet came in.”

“You should text Torin. I got the license plate number of the car that threw the animals out the window.”

He nods. “Not what I asked.” But he pulls out his phone, opens up a text, and hands it to me.

I type in the plate number, then he takes the phone, writes something to his brother, presses send, and puts his phone away. He brushes his body against mine, leaning toward me. “What were you gonna say, sweet thing?”

“I can’t remember,” I say.

And he moves even closer so he’s pressed into my chest, forcing me to breathe in his intoxicating scent. His cock hardens against me.

“I’ve done a lot of idiotic things in my life,” he says. “But the one thing I’ve never done is be aneejitover a pretty girl, and I’d say you’re the prettiest fucking girl I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet, sweet thing. But lose my mind over you? I don’t think so. You know why?”

“No.” My voice comes out a whisper. “I don’t.”

“It’s because we’re a lot alike. I know you. Clever, cynical, driven. Great at deception and surviving. But the difference? You pretend you’re cold as fucking ice, but you’re not, are you? Inside, you care. Not about a lot. But about a few things. I give you points over the kitten and the puppy. And I’m betting you want to fucking go to town and murder the bastards who did that. You loved your mom. And your dad which, I think, is why you want your bratva so badly.”

I glare, struggling against him. “I want it because it’s mine.”