Page 31 of Enforcer

It seems I have a little menace to pick up.

I know she’s going to love her new arrangements, too.

CHAPTER TEN

ALYSSA

“No. I’ll be fine in a hotel, I’m telling you!” I argue back at Brynne, and Slate rolls his eyes at me.

“Don’t worry, I’ve found you accommodations until the apartment I have a few blocks from here is cleaned and furnished,” Slate says, biting his slice of pizza over the box, dripping grease from the cheese down his chin and into his tightly trimmed beard.

“What accommodations? I’m not a puppy, you know? I don’t need a sitter,” I sass back, and he looks at Brynne, exasperated with me.

The fact that he doesn’t give me shit back means he respects me as her friend, and that means more than he knows. Any other man would’ve lost his cool with me already.

Dante would’ve spanked me and thrown me over his shoulder.

I shiver, and Brynne eyes me warily.

“Are you getting sick?”

I shake my head, pinching the bridge of my nose in annoyance and a bit of embarrassment. “No. I’m fine. Where am I staying tonight?”

A knock at the door signals my answer, followed by Dante breezing inside and darting his eyes between us.

“Oh, fuck no! I’m not staying with him!” I shriek, pointing my finger at Dante.

Only Brynne knows what’s gone on with Dante and me, and I intend for it to stay that way. So, when Slate asks, “What happened between the two of you? Has my enforcer done something wrong to you? I’m partial to keeping him, but if so, say the word; he’ll be nothing but dust mixed with concrete by the end of the week,” Slate says, eyes narrowing as he grinds his teeth.

Fuck, he’s serious.

I sigh, looking at Brynne for help.

She gives me a smuglook, all while Dante has taken a slice of pizza and sat down at the island, unphased by everything going on around him.

“Yeah, did I do something to you, minaccia?”

Slate shifts his eyes toward Dante from across the island, still hovering his pizza over the box. “Calling her menace every time you turn around can’t help matters. I need you to fucking behave. Brynne and I have a lot to get done in the next week. Can’t you handle this one thing for us?”

Dante rolls his eyes, finishing his pizza and licking his godforsaken fingers that I came on this morning before we left for the meeting.

“I can behave myself, Boss. I swear. I won’t call her that anymore if that’s your order.”

Slate looks between the two of us, looking to Brynne for help. She only grins.

“That’s my order, then.”

Dante nods, grabbing a napkin off the island and finishing off the grease from his fingers.

“See it done. Oh, and I have secured a priest and a venue for the wedding. So, check that off your list. I texted you the details.”

Slate checks his phone, and something odd passes over his face as he looks back at Dante. “You went to St. Andrews? Are you alright?”

Dante shifts uncomfortably. “I’m fine.” He swivels his bar stool. “Are you going with me or not? I’m exhausted.”

I fiddle with my watch on my wrist. It’s nearly eight. It had been a long ass day. “I’m going with you. Let me get my bags.”

Brynne follows me down the hall, and Slate’s murmurs to Dante fade as we get into the guest room.