Preparation

EMMA

The alarm rings at three a.m., as it always does. It’s time to hit the gym. But something—or rather, someone—is keeping me in bed. The events of yesterday and last night come rushing back to me.

I glance over and see Dean, his body sprawled over mine. He’s like an octopus when he sleeps, all arms and legs tangled up with mine. I’d forgotten how much he likes to cuddle.

Trying to extricate myself without waking him is going to be a challenge. I wiggle a bit, trying not to disturb him, but he stirs and opens his eyes. They’re a clear, bright blue, and they’re looking right at me.

“Good morning, beautiful. I’ve missed waking up with you,” he murmurs, his voice deep and husky with sleep.

“I wouldn’t exactly call being tangled up like an octopus ‘waking up with me’,” I retort.

“What time is it?” he asks, nuzzling into my neck. If I don’t put a stop to this now, I won’t be leaving this bed anytime soon.

“It’s three a.m. I need to get up. Levi’s waiting for me so we can go to the gym.”

“Okay, Ems, I’ll let you go for now. But we can’t keep avoiding this. We need to talk today.”

“I know. But right now, I need to clear my head, and I can’t do that with you distracting me with your...antics. Go back to sleep. When I get back, we can talk. I’ll bring coffee.”

I also need to sort out the contract between Diablo and me. My mind starts racing. I want to get the business side of things settled today, now that the personal stuff is out of the way.

It’s barely past three a.m. and I’m already thinking about Diablo. That infuriating man. I hate that I’m letting thoughts of him invade my mind so early, especially after everything that happened yesterday.

I slip out of bed and take a quick shower. When I come out, dressed in my gym clothes, Dean is sound asleep. I take a moment to admire his body. He’s a good-looking man, and he’s built.

I let myself think about what happened between us a few months ago, but I quickly push the thoughts away. They’ll only lead to heartache for both of us.

When I step out of the bedroom, I see Levi in the kitchen, dressed for the gym and grinning like a fool.

“Don’t say it, Levi. Whatever you’re thinking, just keep it to yourself. Nothing happened last night.”

“Sure, Ems. Whatever you say.”

I swat his arm, and we head down to the gym. Kenny’s already there, waiting for us. He puts me through one of the toughest workouts I’ve ever had.

We start with leg exercises to improve my kick strength, then move on to punches and cardio. Finally, Levi and I run through the self-defense routine we’ve been working on.

Neither of them is going easy on me today. And I’m grateful. If I’m going to take everything from Diablo that I helped him gain, and take over the Mafia numbers for myself, I need to be ready for anything they throw at me.

Life in the Mafia is unpredictable. One minute you’re on top of the world, the next you’re on a hit list.

By seven a.m., the grueling workout is over, and Levi and I head back to the penthouse.

“Emma, I know you’re going to break his heart again. Please be gentle with him this time. He hasn’t dated anyone since you left. We all think he’s waiting for you to come to your senses and go back to him.

“When I told him what happened between you and Diablo, he was the first to suggest he take the next available flight. He really cares about you.”

His words catch me off guard. I don’t know what to say. The fact that Dean was on the first flight out to comfort me means a lot.

But the life I have, the life I want, is worlds apart from Dean’s. I’m part of a Mafia organization, and Dean works with the police. He even has his own task force that goes after people like me.

That’s my only regret about last night: knowing that I’ll probably have to break Dean’s heart again. I care about him, but not as much as he cares about me.

It’s already breaking my heart, knowing what I have to do.

When we walk in the door, I smell eggs, bacon, and coffee. My stomach growls, reminding me that I’m starving.

“Hey, Dean, thanks for breakfast. Emma never cooks for us,” Levi teases.

I shoot Levi a glare before making a plate for myself.

“Sorry, Dean. I was going to make us some coffee here. Good thing I didn’t bring any.

“Thanks, the food is great. And Levi, I don’t make breakfast—I pay people to do that, remember?”

“Good thing I can cook, then. You can pay me back with a kiss later, Ems.” I smile at Dean, digging into the delicious food. I’m famished.

Levi and Dean continue their playful banter while I excuse myself to take a shower. Before I leave the kitchen, I give Dean a quick kiss on the cheek to thank him.

It’s not what he had in mind, but it’ll have to do for now. At least until we have our talk and he knows where he stands with me.

When I come out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, Dean is sitting on my bed, waiting for me.

“Dean, I need to get dressed. Can you wait outside?” I ask, a little embarrassed.

“Why are you so shy all of a sudden, Emma? It’s not like I haven’t seen you naked before. This just gives me another chance to admire that gorgeous body of yours.”

“I promise I won’t try anything...now.” I catch his innuendo but choose to ignore it.

I slip into one of my go-to business suits, a black one with white stripes, and pair it with black lace panties. I decide to forgo a shirt, letting the jacket cover my chest.

After drying my hair so it cascades in layers down my back, I start applying my makeup, opting for a lighter shade for the day. When I finally turn to face Dean, I hear him gasp.

“Damn, Emma, you look incredible. I’ve never seen you in business mode, but if this is how you dress, I could definitely be persuaded to move to New York. You’re absolutely stunning.”

I try to hide my blush from Dean, but I’m not successful.

“Emma, don’t ever hide your beauty. You’re an amazing woman and a force to be reckoned with. Diablo is a total jerk. He doesn’t know what he’s lost. But he will, once we’re all done with him.”

“Dean, we need to talk. We need to clear the air between us, especially after last night,” I say, dreading the conversation.

“I don’t want to hear it, Emma. I’ll take whatever you’re willing to give me for the time I’m here. If something develops, we can take it from there.

“If not, I’ll leave as if nothing happened. Until then, I just want to spend as much time with you as possible—and that includes nights, if you’ll have me,” he whispers the last part.

His voice is barely audible—desperation clear in his tone, making things even more complicated. Dean looks down at the floor, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, obviously hoping I’ll say yes.

“Dean, bubs, I love you, you know that, but not the way you deserve to be loved,” I try to let him down gently.

“I’m not pressuring you, Ems. I just want whatever you’re willing to give me while I’m here. It doesn’t matter how big or small. Please don’t push me away, not now. I’m begging you.”

I slowly walk over to him. He still looks like a lost puppy. Taking his hand in mine, I draw him closer to me, his chest touching mine.

“Bubs, as long as you understand where I am emotionally, I’ll give you what I can, but I’m not making any promises. You know what I want in the long run. You also know what I do isn’t exactly legal.

“I don’t want to put you in a situation where you have to choose between what’s right and wrong.”

“I’ll always choose you, Ems. It doesn’t matter what you do. You’ll always have me. I’ll always protect you.”

Bending his head down, he softly brushes his lips over mine, as if he’s sealing a deal.

He doesn’t deepen the kiss, which I’m grateful for. I have a lot to think about, and on top of that, I need to prepare the paperwork for my meeting with Diablo this morning.

I received a text from him saying we can meet at eleven a.m. at his office. This only leaves me with a few hours to amend the contract and formalize a strategy with Levi for my plan going forward.

Dean and I move to the living room, where I immediately start making amendments to the contract. When I’m finished and satisfied with the outcome, I print two copies and place them and my laptop in my bag.

I glance over to the dining room to see Dean and Levi deep in conversation. Neither one of them hears me approach.

“Levi, we need to go over a few things. Dean, would you please excuse us? We can all meet for dinner tonight at seven and go to the club afterward,” I suggest.

“Ems, I really don’t want to go to a club owned by Diablo. Can we go somewhere else instead?” Dean asks.

“Dean, after the meeting, ~I~ will be the owner of Bijoux.”

“Levi, what time is Alex supposed to arrive? I want to go over a few things before the meeting with Diablo this morning and you know how I hate to repeat myself.” I’m in full business mode now.

“Who the hell is Alex, and why is this the first time I’m hearing about him?” Dean suddenly shouts.

“Dean, you sound just like Diablo. In fact, that’s exactly why our fight started. Those were his exact words.”

I don’t have time for this crap. I’m already stressed as it is. Dean is overstepping his boundaries. I don’t have the time to explain the Alex situation to another man, again. For heaven’s sake!

Both men know I’m not usually rude unless I’m anxious. It doesn’t excuse my behavior but that’s how I deal with it, a habit I need to break, I know but seriously, two men, same fight, one day apart.

This is getting too much.

I turn around to walk back to the living room without waiting for an answer from Levi when I hear a knock at the door. It can only be one person: the infamous Alex.

Swiftly walking to the door, I yank it open to reveal none other than the person I predicted.

“Morning, boss. Reporting for duty as requested,” he smirks at me, his brown eyes twinkling with a hint of mockery.

I open the door a little wider, allowing him to walk past me into the penthouse. Closing the door behind me, I turn around to be faced with three dynamic men sizing each other up.

I know Levi doesn’t trust Alex yet, especially not after the way we met, but Dean’s expression is priceless. He looks at Alex as if he’s about to pummel his head in.

For heaven’s sake, I don’t need this crap, not today of all days. I’m already irritated. Why am I doing this to myself? I surround myself with territorial egotistical men who can barely stand each other and expect them to get along.

Irritated, I snap at Dean, “Go for a walk or something. Meet us back here at five so we can get ready for dinner.”

“Levi, Alex, come with me. We have a strategy to plan before the meeting, and time is running out.”

My patience is wearing thin and it shows not only in the harshness of my tone of voice but my face as well. Dean takes his jacket and gives me a peck on the cheek before walking out the door.

Levi, Alex, and I are gathered around the dining room table. I'm laying out my plan to them, tweaking it here and there based on their input. Before we know it, it's time to head down to Diablo’s office.

~Isn't it funny how time flies when you're about to walk into the lion's den?~ I think to myself, a hint of sarcasm in my thoughts.

I excuse myself to the bedroom to slip into my stilettos and touch up my red lipstick. When I step back out, I'm feeling and looking like a woman ready to take on the world.

I grab my bag, filled with the necessary paperwork, and head towards the elevator, Levi and Alex trailing behind me. We're all business now.

My black suit, red lips, long black hair, and stilettos highlight my best features and give me the confidence boost I need for what's ahead.

The elevator ride down to Diablo’s office is surprisingly less tense than I anticipated, but it's filled with a heavy silence.

When we reach the club’s floor, we step out, both men hanging back a step, Levi on my right as always, and Alex on my left. I knock on Diablo’s office door and he calls for us to come in.

“Damn, sweetheart, you didn’t need to bring the whole crew for a meeting with me,” he greets us, a wide grin on his face. “I thought you'd be alone.”

I glance around the room and spot a bottle of champagne chilling in an ice bucket on his desk, two flute glasses beside it. Clearly, we had different expectations for this meeting.

“You've underestimated me again, Diablo. I'm here for business, nothing more, nothing less. If you're looking for something else, I suggest you call your girl Crystal. I'm sure she'd be more than willing.

“I'm not here to play games. This is business, remember?” I say, my voice laced with barely contained anger.

I walk over to the conference table, set my bag down, and take a seat. Levi and Alex position themselves behind me, close enough to protect me if necessary.

But not so close that they can't keep an eye on the doors, just in case Diablo tries anything.

Diablo finally takes his seat at the head of the table.

“Whatever you've brought for me to sign, sweetheart, it's pointless.”

“I want things to stay as they are. I want you. You've always been mine, and you always will be,” he says, his voice filled with determination and a hint of finality.

“That's where you're wrong, Diablo. You shouldn't have pushed me so far yesterday.”

“When I leave this office today, you will have signed what I brought. If not, Luis can clean up what's left of you when I'm done.”

“Either way, I'll get what I came here for: to ruin you, just like I promised.”

“And don't get it twisted, it'll be ~me~ taking you down, not Levi or Alex. Me, the woman you claim as ‘yours,’” I say, a smug smile on my face.

The color drains from his face.