Tempted by Sin (A Dark Stalker Romance #1)

Chapter 22

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Ace

“How is everything with you, Ace?”

I blink at Enzo from across his desk, the leather seat cool against the back of my jean-clad thighs. He leans back in the large chair, his hands running down the front of his dark blue blazer sculpted to his frame. Not a single strand of dirty-blond hair is out of place, and his hard blue eyes focused on me.

“Everything is fine,” I answer, my back pin-straight. “Is there any news on those Bonanno fuckers?”

“They’ve been silent,” Enzo says and leans forward. “After they messed with our supply drop, it seems they’ve gone into hiding, likely waiting for us to retaliate.”

“Are we going to retaliate?”

Enzo hums. “Not yet. Patience is a virtue. If they think we could strike at any moment, I want them to fester in that anxiety, waiting for the unknown.”

I nod. Enzo isn’t someone who rushes into a situation like this, guns blazing, ready to kill. He takes his time planning an attack down to the finest details. Partly because he likes to keep his enemy on edge, hoping they might slip up somewhere so he can use that to his advantage, but also partly due to him wanting control over the situation. If he wants a fight, he will ensure he is the one controlling every move made. It’s something I respect about him.

“As always, I will be waiting for your orders.”

Enzo grins, that same evil twinkle in his eyes I see every day. “And that’s why I like you, Ace. Out of everyone in Gambino, I trust you the most. Not just because you’re my enforcer, but I know I can count on you to get shit done and carry the gang when the going gets tough.”

“I appreciate that,” I say with a nod. “Always happy to serve you.”

He leans back in the chair, a satisfied smile turning up his mouth. “Now that’s what I like to hear. You can go now.”

I stand but hesitate, locking eyes with Enzo. “I have a question before I go.”

Enzo opens his arms, gesturing toward me. “Hit me with it.”

“Who was the buyer who hired me to kidnap Paetyn Jones?”

He stares at me for a beat, his tongue poking the inside of his cheek as he regards me. I’m not one to care about buyers and what they ask of me, but when it concerns my little bird, I’m not going to stop until I know who the fucker is.

“Why do you want to know that?” he finally asks, his tone shifting to one of curiosity.

“I just want to know why someone would pay to kidnap her only to release her unharmed.”

Enzo exhales a long breath and folds his hands over his chest. “Well, as much as I would like to share those details with you, Ace, it’s not something you need to know. As my enforcer, I need you to focus on the jobs I give you, not some girl, okay?”

My jaw clenches, and it takes everything in me not to tell Enzo that Paetyn isn’t just ‘some girl.’ She’s my girl. But if I do, he will know I’m lying about not being in contact with her after the job was completed. The last thing I need is a pissed-off Enzo.

“Okay,” I say through my teeth.

Before I can turn and leave, Frank, Enzo’s head of security, bursts into the room. His aged features are set into a hard frown, his back straighter than wood. “Boss, we need you in the control room.”

Enzo stands and lays his hands on the desk. “What’s going on?”

“We think some members of Bonanno have been stalking the premises.”

“Those fuckers,” Enzo curses under his breath. He walks out from behind his desk and locks eyes with me. “Keep your head on straight, Ace.”

The warning clings to me as I watch him leave the room, not waiting to see if I follow. I’ve been with Enzo for many years, and never once has he given me a warning like that. It should concern me that he knows something is going on, but I don’t care enough to put his mind at ease. At the end of the day, when I’m not protecting Enzo, I’m watching out for my little bird. And that means finding out who the fuck paid to have her kidnapped.

I glance at the open door to the office, checking for signs of anyone passing by, before I reach into my pocket, producing a USB drive. The desktop on Enzo’s desk is open, so I get to work downloading all the documents from previous buyers in the last three months. My eyes flick between the screen and the open door, hoping Enzo doesn’t return before I have what I need.

Betraying Enzo like this is something I wouldn’t have done a few months ago. I’m loyal to a fault and will do anything for him, but I’m no longer the same man I once was. Not after Paetyn stumbled into my life. Now, I will do anything to protect her, even if it means risking the family I have built within the Gambino gang.

Once all the files are securely on the USB, I retrieve it from the computer and ensure the mouse is exactly where Enzo left it. I slip the USB into my pocket and straighten my jacket before leaving the room, closing the door behind me.

I hear Enzo and Frank in the control room as I pass by, their voices muffled by the closed door. With my chin tipped up, I walk through the mansion and out to my car. Once I get home, I will comb through every document and find the fucker responsible for Paetyn’s kidnapping and make them wish they had never made the transaction.

* * *

A head of silver hair is the first thing I notice when I pull into the driveway. Paetyn sits on the front steps with her knees tucked up to her chest, her eyes following me as I get out of the car.

“What are you doing here, little bird?” I gaze down at her, unable to believe my eyes that she’s here on her own accord.

Paetyn stands, the top of her head barely reaching my chin. She wraps her arms around her waist, meeting my eyes. “I didn’t want to go home, and somehow, I ended up here. Is that okay?”

My fingers twitch at my side, desperate to touch her, hold her, but I don’t. I don’t want to push her away when she has willingly come to me. “You don’t even need to ask. I couldn’t be more pleased to see you.”

“I just….” She exhales deeply and shifts on her feet. “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Do you want to come inside?” I offer as I step past her to unlock the front door. “I can get you a drink or something to eat.”

Paetyn silently follows me into the house, waiting by the front door as I flip on the lights. When I turn to her, a fire simmers in the depths of her emerald eyes. “Actually, I was looking for more of a… distraction. I need something to take my mind off everything.”

My cock twitches, and I grin, unable to hide my pleasure at hearing the subtle double meaning in her words. “You want a distraction? Well, it just so happens that I have something in mind, little bird.”