Read Online Hero: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance by Lara Swann - Free Book Online Page A

Maybe the nice trappings of this hotel room and his controlled, sophisticated approach had misled him into thinking this was another of his business deals, but I wasn’t going to get sucked into that.
    Finally, he shrugged.
    “Okay. We’ll see what information you can get, but we expect most of it to be used simply to keep things under control - gain gradual advantage. Valentini’s focus is on consolidating his influence, in a way that doesn’t attract too much attention - from the gangs or authorities. So honestly, I doubt you’ll see much happen openly. We won’t want to reveal you either. But if we understand their business, their support, their activities…it makes it all that much easier to slowly undermine it. And then when he’s ready, Valentini can clean up what remains. Understand?”
    It was pretty much what I’d assumed - and in fact, if they’d suggested trying for an all-out war, I would never have gone for it. He was right in what he’d said the night before, this was better than that. A chance to have their influence and power die much more naturally - perhaps giving the kids who were caught up in it now an opportunity to look at other options. Nothing guaranteed, but probably better than the foolish expose I could attempt. At least, so long as…
    “And then Valentini takes over where they left off?”
    The challenge was obvious, but I couldn’t bring myself to hide it. I wasn’t looking to play politics with different groups - I wanted something different. Better.
    “Maybe - but Valentini doesn’t let kids run around openly with guns and knives. As I said, he doesn’t want attention. Plus, if it matters, I think he wants to make something of the city. Street gangs are never going to be more than a parasite, taking what they can. The Italians…they’ve got bigger ambitions, and if Cleveland grows, so does Valentini’s family position.”
    “Great.”
    I couldn’t help the muttered response, or the way my nose wrinkled at the thought. Jason surprised me with a brief grin, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking and found my distaste amusing. If I hadn’t been distracted by the way that grin briefly melted the lines off his face, bringing out a spark that had my mind wandering in completely inappropriate directions, I would have been cursing him for it.
    Instead, I focused on the obvious message: I didn’t have a choice about that part. With a sigh, I ran a hand through my hair.
    “Okay.”
    “You know, for someone so opposed to Cleveland’s underworld, you’ve ended up surprisingly embroiled within it.”
    “Maybe that’s because I care.”
    I responded without thinking, too distracted by my own thoughts, but his brief reaction had my attention snapping back again. It was gone before I caught it, but it brought out the same feeling I’d had last night - a brief intensity, some undercurrent between us that I wanted to understand more of.
    A quick glance at him made it obvious it was better left unsaid - his face was blank again, full business mode. I took the hint, wanting to be clear on what was expected anyway.
    “Okay, so what sort of information are you thinking here?”
    “Anything you can easily come by. Jorge’s activities, his suppliers and affiliations with other groups, where his business and support comes from. Anything to do with money - where it comes from, flows to, that’s usually telling. We want to know who they are, where they came from and how they operate.”
    He paused for a moment while I considered that, but spoke again before I could.
    “Like, for example, the guys in the warehouse yesterday. Do you know what they were doing there?”
    “No.”
    It had been pure luck that I even knew they’d been there.
    He nodded, but he was looking at me intensely.
    “Okay, well it would be really useful if you could find out—”
    “I don’t ask questions.”
    I met his eyes firmly with my response, giving a clear non-negotiable vibe.
    This was what I’d