Skip to playerSkip to main content
kenith
Complete story recap and breakdown for What a Boss Wants.

“Who Are You Kissing Tonight” the Mafia Boss Asked—Then Blocked Her Way Out #darkromance #mafiaromance #mafiaboss #darkromance #mafiaromance #mafiaboss #mafiaking #audiobook #freeaudiobook Dark Mafia Romance Audiobook | Mafia Love Story | Dark Romance Novel Enter a dangerous world of mafia power, forbidden desire, secrets, betrayal, and all-consuming love. This dark mafia romance audiobook follows a gripping love story filled with obsession, revenge, emotional twists, and high-stakes choices. Perfect for fans of dark romance audiobooks, mafia romance novels, possessive alpha heroes, enemies-to-lovers romance, arranged marriage stories, billionaire romance, and emotionally intense love stories. If you love powerful mafia bosses and passionate romances with a darker edge, press play and disc

Category

📺
TV
Transcript
00:00Three years of silence, one crimson dress, and the crime lord who couldn't look away.
00:06When Lena Hartwell walked into Adrian Voss's penthouse wearing confidence instead of camouflage,
00:12she didn't know she was stepping into a war.
00:15Tonight, the invisible woman would learn the price of being seen by the most dangerous man in Chicago,
00:21a strategist hiding in plain sight, an empire built on her brilliance.
00:25And the moment everything changes, don't miss a single twist, like this video.
00:30Comment the city you're watching from so I can see how far this story travels, and stay until the very
00:35end.
00:39The thing about being invisible is that you forget what your own face looks like.
00:43Lena Hartwell had perfected the art over three years, two months, and 16 days.
00:48She knew because she'd counted every single one of them,
00:51marked in the mental ledger she kept alongside Adrian Voss's appointments,
00:55his enemies, and his carefully maintained alibis.
00:58The uniform was simple.
01:00Black pencil skirt, cream blouse, hair twisted into a knot so tight it could strangle ambition.
01:07Flat shoes, minimal makeup, a cipher and designer fabric.
01:10She moved through Adrian's world like smoke.
01:13There when needed, gone when not,
01:16never once disrupting the carefully controlled atmosphere of his domain.
01:20Until tonight.
01:22Lena stood before her bathroom mirror in a studio apartment she could barely afford despite the generous salary,
01:28holding a dress the color of arterial blood.
01:31Silk.
01:32Fitted.
01:33Entirely inappropriate for a woman who'd spent a thousand days making herself forgettable.
01:38Her phone buzzed on the sink.
01:40Evan's name lit up the screen.
01:42Still on for eight?
01:43Can't wait to see you.
01:44Her reflection smiled back, uncertain and hopeful in equal measure.
01:49Six weeks of coffee shop conversations, stolen lunch hours, text messages that made her feel like maybe,
01:56just maybe, she was more than the shadow behind Chicago's most feared crime boss.
02:01The dress slipped over her head like a promise.
02:04When Lena stepped into the elevator of Adrian's building,
02:07because of course Evan had suggested meeting at the restaurant just two blocks away,
02:11and of course she'd agreed, not thinking about the route,
02:14She felt the weight of transformation.
02:17Her hair fell loose past her shoulders.
02:19Heels added three inches and subtracted every ounce of invisibility she'd cultivated.
02:24The elevator climbed toward the penthouse.
02:26She'd grab her forgotten phone charger from her desk and be gone before Adrian noticed.
02:31He had a meeting tonight anyway, something about the Riverside Development deal.
02:35She'd scheduled it herself.
02:37The doors opened with a soft chime.
02:40Adrian Voss stood in the center of his living room,
02:42backlit by floor-to-ceiling windows that framed Chicago's glittering skyline like a kingdom laid out for inspection.
02:49He'd dismissed his meeting early.
02:51His suit jacket was gone.
02:53Sleeves rolled to reveal forearms that had ended careers and lives with equal efficiency.
02:59A tumbler of whiskey caught the light in his hand.
03:02He turned.
03:03For three years, Adrian had looked at Lena exactly 73 times.
03:07She knew because each glance had been purely functional.
03:11Take this file.
03:12Reschedule that meeting.
03:13Remind me about the shipping manifest.
03:15His eyes were the color of January ice,
03:18and they'd never once registered her as anything beyond a particularly useful piece of furniture.
03:23They registered her now.
03:25The silence stretched between them, like a wire pulled taut.
03:28Lena's hand instinctively moved to smooth her dress.
03:31Then stopped.
03:33His gaze tracked the movement, followed the line of red silk from her collarbone to her knees,
03:38then slowly traveled back up.
03:41Miss Hartwell.
03:42His voice was exactly the same as always.
03:45Controlled.
03:46Precise.
03:47Empty of inflection.
03:49But something in the way he set down his glass suggested volcanic activity beneath glacial surfaces.
03:55Mr. Voss, I just need to grab.
03:57She gestured vaguely toward the office suite that branched off from the main living area.
04:03My charger.
04:04I'll only be a moment.
04:06You're going out.
04:08Not a question.
04:09Adrian didn't ask questions when he already knew the answers.
04:13Yes.
04:13Dinner.
04:14I won't be long.
04:15With whom?
04:16Lena blinked.
04:17In three years, Adrian had never asked about her personal life.
04:20She could have been married with six children for all the interest he'd shown in her existence
04:25outside these walls.
04:26A friend, she said carefully.
04:29His name.
04:31The temperature in the room dropped ten degrees.
04:34Lena had seen Adrian interrogate men who'd stolen from him, lied to him, betrayed him.
04:41This was that voice.
04:43The one that came before broken bones and shallow graves.
04:46I don't see how that's relevant to my employment, Mr. Voss.
04:50A mistake.
04:51She knew it the moment his expression shifted.
04:54Not into anger, but into something far more dangerous.
04:58Interest.
04:59Adrian crossed the space between them with the fluid economy of a predator.
05:04Three years of calculated distance evaporated in six strides.
05:08He stopped close enough that she could smell his cologne.
05:11Something dark and expensive that probably cost more than her monthly rent.
05:15Everything about you is relevant to your employment.
05:18His eyes fixed on hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.
05:23Three years you've worked for me.
05:24Three years you've been...
05:25He paused, seeming to search for the word.
05:29Adequate.
05:29Efficient.
05:30Present.
05:31But not present.
05:32I thought that's what you wanted.
05:34I thought so too.
05:35His hand lifted and Lena's pulse hammered as his fingers caught a strand of her hair,
05:40testing its weight and texture like he was evaluating evidence.
05:44Until you walked in wearing this and I realized I've been exceptionally stupid.
05:49Mr. Voss.
05:50Adrian.
05:51The correction was soft.
05:53Absolute.
05:54When a man realizes he's allowed the most valuable asset in his organization to remain
05:59unclaimed for three years, he gets to insist on his first name.
06:03Lena's professional mask cracked.
06:05I'm your executive assistant, not an asset.
06:08You're both.
06:10His thumb brushed her jawline, the touch so unexpected she forgot to breathe.
06:15You know where everybody is buried, Lena.
06:18Literally and figuratively.
06:20You've had access to my accounts, my schedules, my enemies and allies.
06:24You could have destroyed me a hundred times over.
06:27I would never...
06:28I know.
06:29That's what makes you invaluable.
06:31His voice dropped lower.
06:32Who is he?
06:34It's just dinner.
06:35His name.
06:36The penthouse security phone buzzed.
06:39Adrian's jaw tightened, but he didn't move.
06:42Marcus, his head of security, appeared in the doorway with the particular urgency that
06:47meant something had gone wrong.
06:49Boss, we have a situation.
06:51Marcus stopped short, his gaze flickering between Adrian and Lena with poorly concealed
06:56shock.
06:57In three years, Marcus had probably never noticed her at all.
07:00Adrian's hand fell away from Lena's face.
07:03The Arctic businessman reasserted control.
07:05What situation?
07:07The Riverside meet.
07:08Someone talked.
07:10FBI has the warehouse under surveillance.
07:13When?
07:14Started 20 minutes ago.
07:15I've already rerouted the shipment and scrubbed the location.
07:19Marcus hesitated.
07:21There's something else.
07:22The leak.
07:23We think we've identified the source.
07:25Who?
07:26Still confirming.
07:27But boss, it came from inside.
07:29Someone with access to high-level information.
07:31Adrian's expression didn't change.
07:33But Lena felt the shift in his energy like barometric pressure before a storm.
07:38Get Thomas and David.
07:40Full sweep of everyone who knew about tonight.
07:42I want names.
07:43Communications.
07:44Everything.
07:46Already on it.
07:47Marcus glanced at Lena again, clearly uncomfortable with her presence during this conversation.
07:53She stays, Adrian said flatly.
07:56She knows more about my operation than most of my crew anyway.
07:59Marcus nodded and disappeared.
08:01The moment they were alone, Adrian turned back to Lena.
08:04You need to cancel your dinner.
08:06No.
08:07The word surprised them both.
08:09Lena had never refused him anything in three years.
08:12She'd rearranged her sleep schedule, her eating habits, her entire existence around his requirements.
08:18But tonight?
08:19Tonight she'd finally done something just for herself, and she wasn't ready to surrender it.
08:24No?
08:25Adrian repeated, as if the concept were foreign.
08:28I've been planning this for two weeks.
08:30I've never asked for time off.
08:32Never complained about the hours.
08:34Never.
08:34She caught herself, modulated her tone back to professional.
08:38I'll have my phone on me.
08:39If you need anything work-related, I'll handle it.
08:42But my personal time is my own.
08:44For a long moment, Adrian studied her with an expression she couldn't decipher.
08:48Then, incredibly, he smiled.
08:51It was a terrible smile.
08:52Beautiful and cruel in equal measure.
08:54You've been hiding this the whole time, haven't you?
08:57This spine.
08:58I've never hidden anything from you.
09:00Liar.
09:01He said it almost fondly.
09:03You've hidden everything that matters.
09:05But that's going to change.
09:07He pulled out his phone, typed something quickly.
09:10What restaurant?
09:11Why?
09:13Because wherever you're going in my city, wearing my assistant like a goddamn declaration
09:17of war, I'm going to make sure you're protected.
09:20I don't need protection for a dinner date.
09:23Adrian's eyes went flat.
09:24You're brilliant with schedules, Lena, but apparently naive about human nature.
09:29You think it's coincidence that some man suddenly noticed you?
09:32That after three years of you being invisible, someone sees you now?
09:37People can be attracted to...
09:38Not to ghosts.
09:40And that's what you've been.
09:41So either you've changed, or he has an agenda.
09:45Adrian's phone buzzed.
09:46He glanced at it, then back at her.
09:49Torino's.
09:50Eight o'clock reservation under the name Cole.
09:52Lena's blood went cold.
09:55How do you...
09:55I know everything that happens in this building, including elevator conversations and phone calls made in the lobby.
10:02He stepped closer again.
10:04Evan Cole, 32, works in investment consulting, moved to Chicago six months ago.
10:11No social media presence before last year.
10:13No college records that match his supposed alma mater.
10:17You investigated my date?
10:19I investigate everyone who comes within a mile of my operation.
10:22What I can't figure out is why someone with a completely fabricated background would spend six weeks courting my assistant.
10:29His hand caught her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.
10:31So, I'm going to ask you one more time, and I want the truth.
10:36Has he asked you about me?
10:38About my business?
10:39About anything that happens in this penthouse?
10:42Lena's mind raced backward through six weeks of coffee and conversation.
10:46Evan asking about her job.
10:48Must be interesting working for someone so high profile.
10:51Evan curious about her boss.
10:54What's he really like?
10:55Evan wondering if she ever overheard interesting things.
10:58I bet you could write a book with the stories from that office.
11:01She'd thought it was normal getting to know you talk.
11:04The kind of questions people asked when they wanted to understand your life.
11:08Her silence was answer enough.
11:10Adrian released her chin and pulled out his phone again.
11:13Marcus?
11:14Lena's dinner date is a plant.
11:16Evan Cole.
11:18I want full surveillance on Torino's.
11:20Nobody moves on him without my signal.
11:22Understood?
11:23He paused, listening.
11:25No, she's still going.
11:27Lena's head snapped up.
11:29What?
11:30Adrian ended the call.
11:32You wanted your dinner date.
11:34You're going to have it.
11:35After you just told me he's, what, some kind of spy?
11:38Corporate espionage, most likely.
11:41FBI wouldn't be this subtle.
11:42Probably hired by the Italians or the Irish.
11:45They've been trying to crack my organization for two years.
11:48He moved to the bar, poured two glasses of whiskey, and held one out to her.
11:52You're going to go to dinner.
11:54You're going to be charming.
11:55And you're going to find out exactly what he wants.
11:58I'm not a spy.
11:59No, you're better.
12:01You're the one person he thinks he's successfully manipulated.
12:04He'll get comfortable, make mistakes.
12:06Adrian's smile turned predatory.
12:08And when he does, we'll know exactly who sent him and what they're really after.
12:13Lena stared at the whiskey glass, her carefully planned evening dissolving into something dark
12:18and dangerous.
12:19And if I refuse, you won't.
12:22You seem very sure of that.
12:24Because for three years, you've protected my empire with the same dedication I'd expect
12:30from my most loyal soldier.
12:31You've never questioned, never wavered, never once compromised my security.
12:36Adrian moved closer until she was caught between his body and the bar.
12:41You think I didn't notice?
12:43Every file perfectly organized.
12:45Every potential vulnerability flagged before it became a problem.
12:48Every schedule optimized not just for efficiency, but for security.
12:53That's my job.
12:54No.
12:54Your job is to manage my calendar and answer my phones.
12:58What you actually do is run counterintelligence from a desk without ever being asked, without
13:03ever demanding recognition or reward.
13:06His voice softened to something almost like reverence.
13:10So no, Lena, you won't refuse.
13:13Because some bastard tried to use you to hurt something you've spent three years protecting
13:17and you're going to make him pay for that.
13:19He was right.
13:20The realization burned through her anger and fear and settled into cold determination.
13:24Someone had played her, used her hope and loneliness and desire to be seen as weapons against both
13:30her and Adrian.
13:32She took the whiskey glass and drained it in one swallow.
13:35The burn felt appropriate.
13:37What do you want me to find out?
13:39Adrian's smile was pure winter.
13:42Everything.
13:44Torino's occupied the ground floor of a converted warehouse in River North.
13:48All exposed brick and Edison bulbs and the kind of studied industrial chic that charged $40 for pasta.
13:55Lena arrived exactly on time, her heels clicking against reclaimed hardwood, red dress attracting
14:02every eye in the room.
14:03Evan was already seated, looking exactly like he had in her imagination.
14:07Dark hair, artfully tousled, smile warm and genuine, rising from his chair like a gentleman
14:12in a movie she'd watched too many times.
14:15Lena, you look absolutely stunning.
14:18She let him kiss her cheek, let him pull out her chair, let him pour her wine from the bottle
14:23he'd already ordered.
14:24All the while, her mind cataloged details with the same precision she used for Adrian's files.
14:29His watch was a Patek Philippe.
14:31The investment consultant was wearing $30,000 on his wrist.
14:36His hands were manicured but showed calluses across the palms.
14:39Not gym calluses.
14:41Something else.
14:42And when he smiled, it didn't quite reach his eyes.
14:46I was worried you might cancel, Evan said, his hand covering hers on the table.
14:51You're always so busy with work.
14:53It's a demanding job.
14:54I can imagine.
14:56Adrian Voss doesn't strike me as an easy man to work for.
14:59There it was.
15:00Three minutes in and he'd already steered toward Adrian.
15:03Lena withdrew her hand, reaching for her wine instead.
15:07What makes you say that?
15:08Just his reputation.
15:10Powerful businessman.
15:12Very private about his affairs.
15:15Evan leaned forward.
15:16Conspiratorial and charming.
15:18Must be fascinating seeing how someone like that operates up close.
15:22It's mostly boring administrative work.
15:25Scheduling, phone calls, filing.
15:26Come on.
15:27His smile widened.
15:29You can't tell me there aren't perks.
15:31Access to that world.
15:33The parties.
15:34The connections.
15:34The inside track on deals before they go public.
15:38Lena's pulse quickened, but she kept her expression placid.
15:41I sign NDAs about most of what I see.
15:46Professional ethics.
15:48Of course, of course.
15:50Evan sat back, seeming to recalibrate.
15:53I'm not trying to pry.
15:54I'm just interested in you.
15:56Your life.
15:57What it's like being so close to power like that.
15:59A waiter appeared with appetizers neither of them had ordered yet.
16:03As he set down plates, Lena caught the slight bulge under his jacket.
16:08Not a waiter.
16:09One of Adrian's people.
16:11How many others were here?
16:13She forced herself to focus on Evan, who was watching her with an intensity that might have
16:18seemed romantic six hours ago.
16:20Now it just felt calculated.
16:22Power is just responsibility with better lighting, she said lightly.
16:26Most days, I'm just trying to keep schedules from colliding and making sure meetings start on time.
16:31But you must overhear things.
16:33Deals being made.
16:34Contracts being signed.
16:36Evan's hand found hers again.
16:38I've been thinking about making a move into real estate development.
16:41If you ever heard about opportunities before they hit the market,
16:44nothing illegal, just friend helping friend, I'd be incredibly grateful.
16:48There it was.
16:49The ask.
16:51Wrapped in romance and tied with manipulation.
16:53Lena let her smile turn shy, uncertain.
16:58I couldn't possibly.
16:59I mean, my job.
17:00I'm not asking you to steal anything.
17:02Just, if you happen to hear about something, and you happen to mention it to someone you care about.
17:07His thumb traced circles on her palm.
17:10We could help each other, Lena.
17:12I have resources.
17:13Connections.
17:14I could make sure you're taken care of, protected.
17:17A woman like you shouldn't be dependent on someone else's empire when you could have your own.
17:22The script was so transparent now, she wondered how she'd missed it before.
17:26Every conversation.
17:27Every compliment.
17:28Every moment of seeming interest.
17:30All of it building to this.
17:32That's very sweet, she said softly.
17:35But I'm not sure I understand what kind of information you're looking for.
17:38Evan's smile tightened, almost imperceptibly.
17:41Nothing specific.
17:43Just opportunities.
17:44Your boss must be involved in dozens of projects.
17:48Real estate.
17:49Shipping.
17:49Import-export.
17:50If you could give me an idea of what he's working on, where his attention is focused.
17:55Who sent you?
17:57The question landed like a knife.
17:59Evan's expression froze, then reassembled itself into confusion.
18:03I'm sorry?
18:05Who sent you?
18:07Lena pulled her hand back, watched him recalibrate again.
18:11Six weeks is a long time to invest in a target.
18:15Must be something important you're after.
18:17For just a moment, his mask slipped.
18:20The warm, charming suitor vanished, replaced by something cold and professional.
18:25Then he laughed.
18:26The sound forced.
18:27Lena, I don't know what you're...
18:29Evan Cole doesn't exist before 18 months ago.
18:32No college records, no employment history, no digital footprint.
18:36She saw his eyes narrow and pressed on.
18:39You're good, I'll give you that.
18:41The whole lonely single guy new to the city thing was a nice touch.
18:45But you pushed too hard tonight.
18:47Real friends don't ask for insider trading information on the second date.
18:50Evan's hand moved under the table.
18:52When it emerged, he was holding a phone.
18:55He typed something one-handed, never breaking eye contact.
18:58You're smarter than they said you'd be.
19:00They?
19:01The people who hired me to get close to you, to turn you.
19:05His smile was all edges now.
19:07They thought you'd be easy.
19:09Invisible little assistant, desperate for attention, grateful for scraps.
19:13They didn't count on you being loyal.
19:15Loyal to what?
19:17To him.
19:17To Adrian Voss.
19:19To the monster you work for.
19:22Evan leaned forward.
19:23Do you know what he is?
19:25What he's done?
19:26The people he's killed, the lives he's destroyed.
19:28And you protect him, schedule his meetings, cover his tracks.
19:32You're complicit in every terrible thing he does.
19:35And you're so much better?
19:37Using me?
19:38Lying to me?
19:39I'm trying to take down a criminal empire.
19:41You're helping run one.
19:43His phone buzzed.
19:44He glanced at it, and something in his expression shifted to satisfaction.
19:49Last chance, Lena.
19:51Tell me what I need to know about Voss's shipping operations.
19:53His overseas contacts, his financial structure.
19:57Do that, and you walk away from this clean, protected, maybe even rewarded.
20:02And if I don't?
20:04Evan's smile turned pitying.
20:06Then you become leverage instead of an asset.
20:08The restaurant's lights flickered.
20:10Just once.
20:11Barely noticeable.
20:12But Lena had spent three years learning to read the signals in Adrian's world.
20:17Something was about to happen.
20:19I need to use the restroom, she said, starting to rise.
20:23Evan's hand shot out, gripping her wrist hard enough to hurt.
20:26Sit.
20:27Down.
20:29The gentleman was completely gone now.
20:31This was someone used to getting compliance through force.
20:34Let go of me.
20:35In a minute.
20:36First you're going to—
20:37A hand descended on Evan's shoulder.
20:40Marcus stood behind him, smiling with all his teeth.
20:43The lady asked you to let go.
20:45Evan released her wrist but didn't look away from Marcus.
20:49This is a private conversation.
20:51Not anymore, it's not.
20:52Marcus's grip tightened visibly on Evan's shoulder.
20:56Mr. Voss would like a word.
20:58I'm having dinner.
21:00Wasn't a request.
21:01Two more of Adrian's men materialized at nearby tables.
21:04The real waitstaff had melted into the background.
21:08Lena realized with a chill that Adrian had locked down the entire restaurant.
21:12Evan seemed to realize it, too.
21:14His free hand moved toward his jacket.
21:16I wouldn't, Marcus said pleasantly.
21:19You pull that gun.
21:20You'll be dead before you clear leather.
21:22And we really don't want to ruin the nice lady's dress with your blood.
21:26For a long moment, no one moved.
21:28The other diners—all Adrian's people, Lena now understood—watched with the casual interest
21:33of spectators at a sporting event.
21:35Evan's hand moved away from his jacket.
21:38This isn't over.
21:40Yeah, Marcus said.
21:41It really is.
21:42Come on.
21:43They hauled Evan from his chair with professional efficiency.
21:46Lena started to follow, but Marcus shook his head.
21:49Boss wants you to wait in the car.
21:51Said you've done enough for tonight.
21:53I want to—
21:55Car, Miss Hartwell.
21:56Please.
21:57The please was pure courtesy wrapped around absolute instruction.
22:01Lena grabbed her purse and let another of Adrian's men, Thomas, she thought his name was,
22:06guide her toward the exit.
22:08The black SUV idled at the curb.
22:11Thomas opened the door, and Lena climbed into leather-scented darkness.
22:15She wasn't alone.
22:17Adrian sat in the far seat.
22:19Tight, Ty loosened, watching her with an expression she couldn't read.
22:23How much did he offer you?
22:24What?
22:26Before he threatened you.
22:27How much was the bribe?
22:29Lena's hand shook slightly as she fastened her seatbelt.
22:32He didn't get that far.
22:33Just offered vague promises about being taken care of.
22:38Amateurs.
22:39Adrian's voice dripped contempt.
22:41The Koreans used to send people like him after me.
22:44All charm and no substance.
22:46You handled it well.
22:48I didn't handle anything.
22:50He—
22:50She stopped, the weight of the evening crashing down.
22:54He knew exactly what to say.
22:56How to make me feel.
22:58Seen.
22:59Valued.
22:59Special.
23:01Adrian's voice softened fractionally.
23:03That's what people like him do, Lena.
23:05They find the thing you want most and dangle it in front of you.
23:09And what do people like you do?
23:11The question hung between them.
23:13Adrian studied her for a long moment.
23:16We tell the truth.
23:17You want to be seen?
23:19I see you.
23:20Every day for three years I've watched you hold my entire world together with nothing but competence and determination.
23:26You want to feel valued?
23:27You're the only person in my organization I trust without reservation.
23:32You want to feel special?
23:37He leaned forward, and she could see gold flecks in his ice-colored eyes.
23:42Lena, you've been special since the day you figured out the Marconi shipping discrepancy was actually money laundering and adjusted
23:49the books to hide it without ever being asked.
23:54She'd forgotten about that.
23:56A small thing, two years ago.
23:58She'd just seen the problem and fixed it.
24:01That was just...
24:02That was when I knew you weren't just some assistant.
24:05That was when I knew you understood exactly what I am and decided to protect it anyway.
24:10His hand found hers in the darkness.
24:13So yes, I see you.
24:16I've always seen you.
24:17I just didn't let myself acknowledge what that meant until tonight.
24:21And what does it mean?
24:22The SUV's partition slid down.
24:25Marcus's voice came through.
24:28Boss, we have a problem.
24:30Adrian's hand tightened on hers for just a moment, then released.
24:34What kind of problem?
24:36Cole's not talking, and his phone just went dark.
24:39But we pulled his jacket.
24:41He's got two forms of ID, both different names.
24:44And this...
24:46Marcus held up a small black device.
24:48A tracker.
24:49He was going to plant it on her, Adrian said flatly.
24:53That'd be my guess.
24:54Want me to bring him up to the penthouse for enhanced questioning?
24:58Lena's stomach turned.
25:00Enhanced questioning.
25:02She'd typed enough reports to know what that meant.
25:06No, Adrian said, surprising them both.
25:09Do it at the warehouse.
25:11I don't want any of this touching home.
25:14Copy that.
25:15What about the girl?
25:17Adrian looked at Lena.
25:18That's up to her.
25:19You can go home.
25:21I'll have protection on you until this is resolved.
25:23Or you can come with me and see exactly what kind of monster you've been working for.
25:28It should have been an easy choice.
25:30Go home.
25:31Stay safe.
25:32Maintain the comfortable fiction that she was just an assistant in an unconventional office.
25:37But Lena had spent three years building Adrian's empire from the shadows.
25:41She'd buried bodies and paperwork.
25:43She'd laundered money through legitimate accounts.
25:45She'd destroyed evidence and manufactured alibis and done a hundred other things that
25:50damned her soul just as thoroughly as if she'd pulled triggers herself.
25:54I'm coming with you.
25:56Adrian's smile was fierce and proud.
25:58I was hoping you'd say that.
26:01Eat.
26:02The warehouse squatted on the edge of the industrial district, surrounded by chain link and streetlights
26:07that had been broken so often the city stopped replacing them.
26:11Lena had seen the address in Adrian's files.
26:14One of a dozen properties held through shell corporations and used for things that couldn't
26:19happen in civilized spaces.
26:20Marcus and David dragged Evan, or whatever his real name was, from a second vehicle.
26:26His designer charm had been replaced with fear and defiance in equal measure.
26:31Inside the warehouse was exactly what Lena expected.
26:34Concrete floors, metal shelving.
26:36A single chair bolted to the floor in the center of an open space.
26:40They zip-tied Evan to the chair with practice deficiency.
26:44Adrian shrugged out of his suit jacket and handed it to Lena without comment, then rolled his
26:49sleeves up another turn.
26:50When he spoke, his voice was conversational, almost friendly.
26:54Let's start with the basics.
26:56Who hired you?
26:57Evan spat blood onto the concrete.
26:59Someone had hit him already, probably in the car.
27:03Go to hell.
27:04Eventually, I'm sure, but tonight, you're going to answer my questions.
27:08Adrian circled the chair slowly.
27:10You targeted my assistant.
27:12You spent six weeks manipulating her.
27:15You tried to turn her against me.
27:16I want to know who thought that was a good idea.
27:20She's just a secretary.
27:22Adrian moved so fast Lena barely saw it.
27:25One moment, he was behind the chair.
27:27The next, his hand was crushing Evan's throat.
27:30She is not just anything, Adrian said softly.
27:34She's the reason my empire functions.
27:36The reason my enemies can't find purchase.
27:39The reason I'm still alive and in control.
27:41He released Evan's throat.
27:44Disrespect her again and I'll cut out your tongue.
27:46Evan gasped for air.
27:49The Koreans.
27:50Park's organization.
27:52They wanted inside information on your shipping routes.
27:55Park is dead.
27:56His son isn't.
27:57Adrian exchanged a glance with Marcus.
28:00Daniel Park is running his father's organization?
28:03Trying to.
28:05Wants to prove himself.
28:06Thought if he could crack your import business, he'd earn respect from the other families.
28:10By turning my assistant, by using her, she was supposed to be weak, lonely, easy to manipulate.
28:18Evan's eyes found Lena across the warehouse.
28:21They were wrong about the weak part.
28:23Adrian's hand settled on Evan's shoulder, deceptively gentle.
28:26What was the endgame?
28:28After you got the information?
28:31Evan's silence was answer enough.
28:33You were going to kill her, Adrian said flatly.
28:36Make it look like an accident.
28:38Remove the evidence of your approach.
28:40She would have been leverage first.
28:42Insurance, in case the information wasn't good.
28:45The temperature in the warehouse dropped.
28:48Lena watched Adrian's expression empty of everything except cold purpose.
28:52Marcus, David, give us a moment.
28:55The two men hesitated, then withdrew to the far side of the warehouse.
28:59Lena started to follow.
29:01Not you, Adrian said.
29:03You need to see this.
29:05See what?
29:06Adrian pulled a knife from his belt.
29:08Nothing fancy, just steel and purpose.
29:11See what happens to people who threaten what's mine.
29:14Lena's breath caught.
29:16Adrian, you don't have to.
29:18Yes, I do.
29:20He turned to Evan.
29:22You came into my city.
29:23You targeted my people.
29:25You were going to hurt someone under my protection.
29:28There's only one response to that.
29:31She's not worth it, Evan gasped.
29:33Just some assistant.
29:35Just some nobody.
29:36The knife moved.
29:38Lena looked away, but not before she saw the arterial spray.
29:41When she looked back, Evan was slumped in the chair, and Adrian was wiping the blade
29:45clean on the dead man's shirt.
29:47His expression was utterly calm.
29:49Get Thomas to handle disposal, he said to Marcus, who'd reappeared.
29:53And find out everything you can about Daniel Park's operations.
29:56If he's making moves, I want to know before they land.
29:59On it, boss.
30:01Adrian walked toward Lena.
30:02Yeah.

Recommended