Read Online Hero: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance by Lara Swann - Free Book Online
Authors: Lara Swann
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fireplace, and I felt almost swallowed up by the over-large chair.
He looked right at home, of course, sitting back calmly as he looked at me, those ruggedly handsome features smoothed over by his sophisticated attitude and smart dress, but still there. As undeniable as the rough edge I’d seen in him from the beginning.
It made my heart pound in all the wrong ways, but I did my best to ignore it. That wasn’t what we were here for.
I’d done the self-doubt and questioning routine last night, and my decision was made. Once that was done, my own nerves faded and I could face others with my usual, unfailingly confident self. Maybe working with Jason would be a little different - subtle glances at that form-fitting shirt had already distracted me a couple of times - but what I wanted was too important to let myself worry about that.
Instead, I focused my attention on watching him. I was fascinated by what I thought I saw in him - wanted to understand how, why.
Was he really a good guy? Could I trust him? Why the hell did I feel so sure?!
And while the room and conversation didn’t seem to bother him the way that it did me, if anything it had been that focus of mine that had provoked him last night.
After a long pause where it felt like he was searching me for something, he nodded, his face impassive.
“You should understand the risk—”
“Still trying to warn me off?”
I raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement showing.
“No - not anymore, but you should know. This is dangerous, and as much as I’d like to say our protection will help, it could end badly for you.”
The momentary bleakness that came into his tone sent shivers down my spine. It was almost as if he’d already resigned himself to that end - written me off.
So much for feeling safe.
But despite that fanciful idea last night, I knew better, and feeling safe was the last thing I’d expected in coming here. Maybe some stupid part of me couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like to have those strong arms around me, his swirling green eyes protective and fierce, but I wasn’t fooling myself.
Whatever I’d seen yesterday, this was business - and I expected what I saw now. Calm. Professional. Expressionless.
It didn’t matter. I wasn’t doing this for myself, and if it could make a difference…I’d take his help. Both his and Valentini’s.
“I do know.”
As dangerous as my little book was, this was completely different. I might not want to think about it too much, but I knew what Jorge and his guys did to people for this.
Jason didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he nodded again, accepting it.
I was a little infuriated by how hard it was to read him - I couldn’t even tell whether he was pleased I’d come or not. Yesterday it had been far easier to get glimpses of the man underneath that disciplined exterior, but then I guessed having him wake up disoriented after the beating helped with that. Today he was prepared, the walls were up, and he wasn’t giving anything away - even any evidence of that beating was gone, as if the guy didn’t notice the bruises I knew his body was covered in.
“So how’s this going to work, Jason?”
He met my eyes with that same, distant look, and I recalled how he’d managed to sit there, almost bored, through the negotiation with Jorge.
Had I misread him?
“You tell us what you can, and we’ll protect you as best we can.”
I frowned.
“That’s not what I meant - what are you going to do with what I tell you? What’s your plan?”
I needed to know that this would make a difference, but he just shook his head.
“That’s our business.”
“Like hell it is. I have about as much interest in working for Valentini as I do for Jorge - and certainly not for some half-assed protection . If you can’t tell me how me doing this will help sort out these streets, I’m done.”
He paused for a moment, that measuring stare back on me, but as if he was actually seeing me this time.
He looked right at home, of course, sitting back calmly as he looked at me, those ruggedly handsome features smoothed over by his sophisticated attitude and smart dress, but still there. As undeniable as the rough edge I’d seen in him from the beginning.
It made my heart pound in all the wrong ways, but I did my best to ignore it. That wasn’t what we were here for.
I’d done the self-doubt and questioning routine last night, and my decision was made. Once that was done, my own nerves faded and I could face others with my usual, unfailingly confident self. Maybe working with Jason would be a little different - subtle glances at that form-fitting shirt had already distracted me a couple of times - but what I wanted was too important to let myself worry about that.
Instead, I focused my attention on watching him. I was fascinated by what I thought I saw in him - wanted to understand how, why.
Was he really a good guy? Could I trust him? Why the hell did I feel so sure?!
And while the room and conversation didn’t seem to bother him the way that it did me, if anything it had been that focus of mine that had provoked him last night.
After a long pause where it felt like he was searching me for something, he nodded, his face impassive.
“You should understand the risk—”
“Still trying to warn me off?”
I raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement showing.
“No - not anymore, but you should know. This is dangerous, and as much as I’d like to say our protection will help, it could end badly for you.”
The momentary bleakness that came into his tone sent shivers down my spine. It was almost as if he’d already resigned himself to that end - written me off.
So much for feeling safe.
But despite that fanciful idea last night, I knew better, and feeling safe was the last thing I’d expected in coming here. Maybe some stupid part of me couldn’t stop thinking about what it would be like to have those strong arms around me, his swirling green eyes protective and fierce, but I wasn’t fooling myself.
Whatever I’d seen yesterday, this was business - and I expected what I saw now. Calm. Professional. Expressionless.
It didn’t matter. I wasn’t doing this for myself, and if it could make a difference…I’d take his help. Both his and Valentini’s.
“I do know.”
As dangerous as my little book was, this was completely different. I might not want to think about it too much, but I knew what Jorge and his guys did to people for this.
Jason didn’t seem entirely convinced, but he nodded again, accepting it.
I was a little infuriated by how hard it was to read him - I couldn’t even tell whether he was pleased I’d come or not. Yesterday it had been far easier to get glimpses of the man underneath that disciplined exterior, but then I guessed having him wake up disoriented after the beating helped with that. Today he was prepared, the walls were up, and he wasn’t giving anything away - even any evidence of that beating was gone, as if the guy didn’t notice the bruises I knew his body was covered in.
“So how’s this going to work, Jason?”
He met my eyes with that same, distant look, and I recalled how he’d managed to sit there, almost bored, through the negotiation with Jorge.
Had I misread him?
“You tell us what you can, and we’ll protect you as best we can.”
I frowned.
“That’s not what I meant - what are you going to do with what I tell you? What’s your plan?”
I needed to know that this would make a difference, but he just shook his head.
“That’s our business.”
“Like hell it is. I have about as much interest in working for Valentini as I do for Jorge - and certainly not for some half-assed protection . If you can’t tell me how me doing this will help sort out these streets, I’m done.”
He paused for a moment, that measuring stare back on me, but as if he was actually seeing me this time.
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