Page 14

T he door to Ten’s office—which I’ve pretty much made my own now—swings open, and I look up from the paperwork I’ve been going over.

Though Leandro and Hollis have cleared people, Tennant and Joel are doing their own assessments, and are then sending through the lists of everyone they don’t eliminate themselves. So far, nothing has panned out, but something is there, we just need to know where to look.

Killian opens the door wide and steps back, allowing Antonio to slip in. “Open or closed?” Killian asks in his halting ASL.

“Closed is fine,” I reply, already reaching for my hearing aids. “Sorry,” I tell Antonio. “Give me a moment.”

He waits patiently as I fiddle with the settings, and I can’t help sneaking glances at him, noting the way his clothes cling to him in all the right places. He notices my attention and preens a little, making me bite back a smile at the flirtation in his gaze.

“Sorry, it’s a force of habit to remove them whenever I get a moment of peace. Haven’t quite broken it yet.”

“No one can blame you. It’s very…busy here. Especially now, with all of us under one roof.”

Placing my arms on the desk, I lean toward him, a bit further than I need to, but I don’t think anyone can blame me for wanting to be close to the pretty man. “What can I do for you, Bello?”

The endearment slips out, but I don’t apologize. It fits him, after all. Even with the scars—they enhance his beauty, if I’m being honest.

He takes a step forward and pulls out some sheets of paper, handing them over, our fingers brushing unnecessarily as he does so.

The spark that ignites between us at the simple brush of skin has me swallowing around a gasp. Antonio can’t quite hide his reaction as his lips part, though if he makes a noise, I can’t hear it.

Sliding my hand forward a little, I get more skin on skin before pulling away. I enjoy how his chocolate eyes seem to beg for more, though he doesn’t say a word.

“What’s this?”

“I’ve been doing what I do best,” he replies with a sly grin.

“In between making sure my girls, and guys, are okay, I’ve been doing a bit of spy work where I can.

Just keeping tabs on our clientele, and if anything seems out of place.

Since we’re all on the same side, I thought I’d snoop around the Amato operations as well.

“Most of your guys—and frequent customers—are legit, but I did notice some…shady business in one area. It seems someone is trying to take advantage of the Boss being gone.”

I tsk as I look at the statements. “Idiots. They have to know Tennant will catch them; he’s making his rounds for a reason.”

“Yes, well, his methods, while effective, are too slow.”

I look up from the papers, with evidence of botched numbers, and raise a brow. “Smug doesn’t look good on you, Bello.”

“Everything looks good on me.”

Now that I believe… Though part of me wants to see what he looks like with nothing on.

“Thank you for this, I’ll pass it along to Roman and Ten.”

“Of course. I couldn’t get much, since I had an actual job to do, and needed to get back to Nicolo and Nario.”

“It’s enough to get us started. I’ll get Leandro to dig into their financials further, and Ten will enjoy having someone to play with. We appreciate it, and everything you’ve done so far.”

He straightens up, the praise making him appear to glow, and I file it under Things To Think About Later .

“If that’s all, I need to get back.”

“How is Nicolo doing?”

His face softens a little at his lover’s name. “Good. He’s seen both Benjamin and the Amato physical therapist today—your guy is a bit terrifying, I'm not going to lie.”

I laugh, because Jayden, the sadistic fuck, is more than a “bit” terrifying. I’m pretty sure even Tennant wouldn’t cross him.

“But they’ve given their assessments, and came up with a plan for him, so he will hopefully be on his feet soon. Doc and Dr. Ranlen are happy enough with his progress.”

“Good. Don’t hesitate to come to me if any of you need anything.”

He shifts his weight, leaning toward me. “ Anything ?” He stresses the word, and the look on his face makes his meaning clear.

Rising out of the chair, I lean closer to him, the space between us seeming smaller than it is as we gaze at one another.

“ Anything , Bello,” I repeat, making my intentions clear. “I’m more than happy to accommodate your needs.”

His bitten off moan is a beautiful sound, and I want nothing more to splay him out on the desk between us and take him apart.

Instead, I retake my seat, keeping my eyes on his. The tension between us is palpable. “You should get back to your lovers, Bello. We’ll see each other soon.”

The denial makes his cheeks flush, and I enjoy the need in his eyes as they flash with his suppressed protest.

He turns to leave, and while his backside is as nice as his front, I find I can’t let him go just yet.

“Oh, Bello,” I say, getting up.

He stops and turns back around, his expression curious, even with the heat still in his big brown eyes. Carefully, I step around the desk and make my way to him.

I can’t hear the breath he takes as I crowd him against the door, but I see it in the way his chest and shoulders rise, the way he lifts his chin to meet my gaze.

Reaching out, I smooth a hand down his cheek, soaking in the feel of him. “You tempt me,” I tell him.

“You can take it—take me,” he answers.

I smile and lean down to whisper in his ear. “Where’s the fun in that? I’ll let you know when I’m ready for you, and not a moment before.”

Straightening up, I take a step back, grinning at the rapid rise and fall of his chest, and enjoying how, this close, I can see how his pupils are blown out with desire.

“I’ll see you soon, Bello.”

He swallows and nods, then opens the door and takes one step out of the office. Looking back with a sly grin, he swings his hips and walks away, showing off his beautiful ass with every step he takes.

Oh, he’s going to be a fun one. I can’t wait to make him scream for me…