When Cassie’s cell phone rings, she goes white like paper. Whoever it is, she fears them. This is something I feel bothered by. I’m about to press harder when fucking Gio interrupts me. But as I told her, this isn’t something I will drop.

“What the fuck do you want?” I demand from Gio as we walk to my office.

“You sound pissed that I interrupted you. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised you want to fuck Red.” He says, laughing. I grab him by the throat.

“Last time. Her name is Cassie, and she is off limits.” Gio tries to free himself, but I squeeze enough to make my point. After a few seconds, I let go of him. He starts coughing.

“What the fuck Lex.” He says after clearing his throat.

“What did you want to tell me?” I ignore him and walk to my desk.

“You’re fucking losing your mind. What the fuck?”

“I won’t ask again. Why did you interrupt me?” He takes a deep breath and sets something down on my desk. It’s a stack of pictures.

“What is this?”

“The Professor has been seen talking to one of the captains from the Triads.” The Professor is one of the newer captains. He is someone I’ve known for a long time. His father was a good friend to the family before an enemy murdered him.

“Who gave you the photos, and have you verified that?”

“Is that the question you are going to ask? You’ve been harassing me for weeks to give you a name, and here it is.” He tells me with anger.

“What the fuck is your problem?” I demand, standing from my chair.

“I’ve been by your side since we were in diapers. Are you doubting my word?” I run my hand over my face.

“Of course, I am not. But I still don’t understand why your text message wouldn’t have been enough. You knew I didn’t want to talk shop anymore today. Hunter is home, and I need to settle Cassie.”

“If that is what you are going with, let it be. I’ll have the Professor taken to the Volt for you.” He adds, already turning to leave.

“Not yet. Have him follow. I want to know if there is anyone else involved.”

“Sure, you are the boss.” He adds as he steps out of the office.

A part of me wants to question him more to determine what the fuck is his problem. It isn’t like Gio interrupting me when I’m in the middle of something. The information about the Professor could have waited until the morning. But I set aside it since I must finish my conversation with Cassie. There is something about the phone call I can’t shake off. Knowing she is in her bedroom, I go straight there.

When she opens the door, she seems frazzled. I wonder if she returned the phone call, and that is why. Cassie is hiding something. I made a note to have one of the hackers on payroll do a deeper dive on her. We go back and forth for a few minutes until I get fed up with the banter.

Cassie needs to understand I expect everyone on my payroll to follow my orders. But something unexpected happens. Her eyes are filled with lust — my kind of lust.

“You will not have a boyfriend. Would you like to know why?”

“Why?” She barely responds.

“Because you are mine.” Her sweet lavender scent wakens a desire I haven’t felt in a long time. I bite her earlobe, and a moan escapes her. “I wonder how sweet you taste.”

She goes to object, but no objection will stop me from what I have in mind. I bite her neck, and another moan escapes her.

Fuck!

I suck on her neck, tasting her sweetness. It probably is a bad idea, but I’ve been full of them in the last twenty-four hours. What difference is another decision going to make?

“Lex—” she moans.

My eyes meet hers. I see how vulnerable she is while dripping lust.

“What?”

“I’ve never been with a man.” She whispers. I must have heard things because there is no way Cassie is telling me she is a virgin.

“Just like I don’t entertain people not answering me, I don’t indulge in lies.” I grab her chin so she can see the seriousness of my next warning. “I punish anyone who lies to me. You won’t be the exception.” She bites her bottom lip and then closes her eyes.

“I’m not.”

“Are you telling me that you are a virgin?” I questioned her, still baffled by the confession.

“Yes. I’m a virgin.” She whispers.

“This I have to see for myself.” I pick her up and walk over to her bed. I set her down in front of the foot of the bed. “Undress,” I order.

It takes her a moment, but quickly, she begins to undress. As each piece of clothing hits the floor, I see her skin is free of blemishes.

“On the bed,” I order and feel a wave of satisfaction as she complies. By the time the last piece hits the floor, I lightly push her into bed.

Before I can stop myself, I kiss her. It’s unusual for me since this isn’t something I normally do. But the urge is overwhelming. Her lips aren’t enough.

I start to explore her body.

Her back begins to arch toward me, and soft moans escape her. My hand begins to travel down her stomach.

Fuck, this really isn’t a good idea. But there is no stopping now.

She grips the sheets when I put enough pressure. Cassie is near the edge. Needing more, I get out of bed, grab her legs, and pull her until she is on the edge of the bed.

“I need to fucking taste you.”

“Lex—” Cassie moans.

Watching her lay on the bed, eyes closed, I can already tell one time isn’t going to be enough for me. Cassie is an enigma that I need to uncover.

I kneel down, but before I can indulge any further, the ringing of my cell phone interrupts me. I growl in annoyance, but it’s probably for the best. Her innocence is mine, so what’s the rush? I get up and take a step back.

“Open your eyes, mio angelo.” Her eyes snap open. I lean in. “Taste how sweet you are.” I kiss her ferociously. When she was about to run out of air, I broke the kiss and stood back.

It’s a few seconds before I speak. “Take a shower,” I order. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Lex—” I hear an objection coming.

“Shower, then bed,” I command, already stepping out of her bedroom.

Outside the bedroom, my cell phone rings again as I adjust myself.

“What the fuck do you want?” I answer, knowing it’s Gio.

“If it weren’t important, I wouldn’t call.”

“Where are you?”

“At the warehouse. You need to come here. The shipment that came today is gone. Someone broke in and took everything.”

“What did the surveillance show?”

“Nothing. The cameras were disabled, and there was nothing in the cloud. I’m positive it’s Guiseppe.” He is claiming the Professor did this.

“Where are the men who were supposed to keep watch of him?”

“He wasn’t here. Guiseppe is at some bar, but I’m sure he let the thieves into the warehouse. Whoever came for the shipment had a key.”

“What makes you so sure?” I find myself asking.

“Everyone is accounted for. I gave you the proof.”

“Bring him to me. It’s time to show everyone what happens when I’m betrayed.”

“Already on the works. Where do you want him?”

“The Volt. I’ll be there within the hour.”

“Done.”

I hang up.

The Volt is where traitors and enemies go to die. After finishing with Guiseppe, I will return to the condo and finish what I started.

Cassie Walker's innocence is mine.