Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Made the Mafia Boss Jealous

The next week changed everything.

Ronin insisted I move into a guest suite in his private residence.

I refused.

He arranged security anyway.

I complained.

He ignored me.

I learned how to use three emergency exits.

He learned that I took tea instead of coffee when I was stressed.

I learned that he hated tomatoes.

He learned that I hummed when I was nervous.

We began noticing things about each other without meaning to.

That was the dangerous part.

Our relationship was supposed to be employer and secretary.

Nothing else.

But then came the charity gala.

I wore a dark blue dress.

Ronin saw me at the staircase.

He stopped moving.

"You look..."

He hesitated.

I smiled.

"Terrible?"

"No."

"Then?"

"Beautiful."

My face heated.

"Thank you."

He offered his arm.

I took it.

We entered the ballroom.

Everyone stared.

A powerful man accompanied by the shy secretary who had somehow become the center of his attention.

Whispers followed us.

Then a woman approached.

Camilla Reed.

Elegant, wealthy, and very familiar with Ronin.

She touched his arm.

"Ronin."

His expression cooled.

"Camilla."

"I've been trying to reach you."

"I've been busy."

Her eyes moved to me.

"And this is?"

"My secretary."

Camilla smiled.

"I've heard about you."

I swallowed.

"Good things, I hope."

Her smile sharpened.

"Very quiet things."

Ronin stepped closer to me.

"Marin works for me."

Camilla laughed softly.

"I know."

She looked at him.

"You never introduce employees personally."

Ronin didn't respond.

Camilla turned toward me.

"Enjoy the evening."

She walked away.

I whispered, "Who was that?"

"No one."

"She seemed like someone."

"She's not."

"You dated her?"

He looked at me.

"Why do you care?"

I immediately regretted asking.

"I don't."

"Good."

I turned away.

For the rest of the night, Ronin looked unusually tense.

Then a man approached me.

Julian Hart.

Investor.

Charming.

Smiling.

"You must be Marin."

"Yes."

"I've heard you're the genius behind Ronin's schedule."

"That's an exaggeration."

He laughed.

"You should let me buy you a drink."

Before I answered, Ronin appeared.

"No."

Julian looked amused.

"I was asking her."

"She doesn't drink with strangers."

Julian laughed.

"I'm not a stranger."

"To her, you are."

He walked away.

I looked at Ronin.

"Was that jealousy?"

"No."

"You answered very quickly."

"Because it wasn't."

I smiled.

"You were jealous."

He lowered his voice.

"Marin."

"Sorry."

But he was smiling too.

Later that night, we danced.

I had expected him to be awkward.

He wasn't.

His hand rested at my waist.

Mine rested on his shoulder.

I suddenly remembered the SUV.

The night I had fallen asleep there.

"You've been quiet."

"I usually am."

"Not like this."

I looked up.

"I was thinking."

"About?"

"Nothing."

He stopped.

"I don't believe you."

I laughed softly.

"You're difficult."

"So are you."

He moved closer.

The music faded around us.

"I've never wanted anything from you," he said.

"That's not true."

"What do you mean?"

"You want me to stay."

He looked at me.

"Yes."

That simple word nearly broke my heart.

Before I could answer, the ballroom doors opened.

Nolan Price walked in.

He held a gun.

Everything happened at once.

Ronin shoved me behind him.

Wade drew his weapon.

Nolan fired.

The shot missed Ronin.

It struck Camilla.

She collapsed.

Nolan ran.

Security chased him.

The ballroom erupted into chaos.

I rushed to Camilla.

Ronin grabbed my arm.

"Don't."

"She's hurt."

"Medic!"

I knelt beside her.

Camilla gripped my wrist.

"He's going after the Blue Room."

My blood went cold.

"Who?"

She looked at Ronin.

"His father."

Then she passed out.

The night ended with Nolan escaping.

Camilla surviving.

And Ronin standing beside me in his office at three in the morning.

"Tell me the truth," I said.

He looked tired.

"I don't know what truth you want."

"Did Salvatore know about the attack?"

"No."

"Did he know about the Blue Room?"

"Yes."

"Does he know my father is alive?"

Ronin hesitated.

"Yes."

I stared.

"Why?"

"Because our fathers were partners."

I shook my head.

"And enemies."

"Both."

"Then why does your father want the Blue Room?"

"I don't know."

"You do."

He looked at me.

"I suspect it contains the names of everyone involved in the original network."

"And my father has access?"

"Probably."

I stepped closer.

"Then why are you protecting me?"

He stared at me for a long moment.

Then he whispered:

"Because I don't know how to stop."

The words hung between us.

Neither of us moved.

Then Ronin kissed me.

It wasn't planned.

It wasn't careful.

It was desperate.

And when he pulled away, he looked almost angry with himself.

"This is a mistake."

I touched his cheek.

"Probably."

Then I kissed him again.

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For the first time in my life, being afraid didn't make me run.

It made me stay.