Chapter 4

4

TOBIAS

B efore I climb behind the wheel of my car, I turn my phone off and fight the urge to snap it into a mess of wires and glass in my fist.

How in the hell can this be happening? Of all the fucking people in the world for me to have this uncontrollable obsession for…it just so happens to be my deadbeat son's ex-girlfriend?

I know what the right thing to do is—I should leave her alone. I should travel for a few weeks, take a few last jobs, anything to get her out of my mind. But for the first time in my life, I find something shift in me. I just can't do it. Cutting Teagan out is an impossibility.

Deep inside, I've already decided that she belongs to me, and my selfishness and stubbornness are out in full force. I barely even know the girl, but she's like a drug to me. So, inappropriate or not, she's going to be mine. Soon enough, Ricky won't even be a thing she thinks about anymore. He will just be an unfortunate footnote in her history. I am her future.

Maybe it would be different if my son and I were closer, but we've grown apart so much over the years that I couldn't give a single fuck less about what makes him happy and what doesn't.

Ricky was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, thanks to me, but he's proven to be a selfish little prick as an adult. He has no drive to work and earn his own money or make his own place in the world and just expects that he'll be able to rely on me for the rest of his life. No way in hell that is going to happen. Not with the things I've had to do in order to make the money that I have.

Ricky enjoys the clout of being the son of one of the most successful hitmen of the last generation, but he doesn't want to put in any effort of his own. Because that's who I am—Tobias Terrazas, independent hitman, tied down to no one.

In the last decade, I've slowly transitioned the business I've built into a security firm, with the singular goal of having a legitimate business to pass on to my son. It was going to be my legacy, and all without Ricky having to ever spill a drop of blood himself. The little shit refused, though, when he learned how much work it would be to take over Terrazas Industries from me.

After that, it was a series of lies. Watching the road change from the busy Chicago highways to the quieter roads that wind along the Lake Michigan coastline, I flex my hands on the leather steering wheel as I recall all the bullshit he's told me over the years.

Before he graduated high school, it was nothing but promises about taking the company over, but I've always had the fear that he was more interested in the violence and intimidating status that came with the hitman career. I hadn't wanted to tell him at all, but by the time he turned eighteen, there was no way to hide it from him anymore. When I switched the company over to security, he started to lose interest in taking my place and was even more distant when he saw just how many hours I had to put in to be successful.

Then, it was a short-lived passion to go to college for business so he could make his own way in the world as an entrepreneur. I snort, thinking back on that now. How the hell did I fall for that crap? I paid for his degree, and to be fair, he did graduate with a bachelor's, but just like before, any desire to actually do that hard work once it was time to do so disappeared. Since then, I've watched him nickel and dime away the money I gave him to establish himself in the world once I realized that I could never force him to succeed. I put a fair amount in an account and handed the details over to Ricky, washing my hands off my son and letting him figure shit out on his own.

I haven't seen him in a while. It figures our reunion would be at the worst possible time. Fuck! I punch the steering wheel, irate at what a perfect chance Ricky ruined. Teagan had been the one to approach me and not the other way around. I would have never anticipated that. She was basically putty in my hands.

Was she putty in Ricky's hands, too? Dammit…I'm going to lose my mind thinking about shit like this. I need to put my energy into deciding what my next move is, not dwelling on the fact that my son has potentially had his hands on my woman.

That can't matter, not if I am going to stay set on the path of keeping her. Plus, she didn't seem too thrilled with Ricky anyway, so maybe she didn't let him close enough for any of that.

I'm probably worrying about nothing. Ricky is soft, cocky with nothing to back it up. For me, though, I can put my money where my mouth is. My money or my fist. Whatever fits the situation better.

Fathers aren't supposed to go around knocking their sons out, I guess, but maybe a one-off wouldn't be the end of the world. It might make me an asshole, but the thought makes me chuckle.

The road winds around the lake for miles and miles, and finally, my home comes into view. I didn't have this one purpose-built but bought the huge historical home on a whim when I decided to settle down right outside the city. It had taken a fair amount to modernize the whole thing. It's far away from anyone else, which was the number one priority for someone retiring from my life of work, and the view was just a perk.

With a small, discrete household staff, it should have been the perfect place to settle down and live the rest of my life in peace. Still, I felt like there was something missing, and I didn't know what the hell it was until I saw Teagan in the diner that morning.

Now the house, full of top-of-the-line appliances, electronics, and everything else, doesn't feel right, and I don't think it will until I bring Teagan in the door to keep. Parking the car, I pocket the key and stride into the front door, mind already making plans of how exactly I'm going to navigate this shitshow that I've found myself in. It isn't my first, and I'm sure it won't be the last, but it might be the most important one I ever have to handle.

Pacing on the terrace, phone pressed against my ear, I've got an old business associate on the line. Another former hitman, now working as the head of a weapon customization company specializing in after-market parts and alterations for handguns and rifles. We didn't work for the same families, but we're friendly enough, so I hope this call doesn't completely burn that bridge for me. Even retired, the lot of us are a dangerous group.

"Listen, I just need you to call my son and act like you're offering him a job. A new storefront. In San Francisco," I tell him.

Ian laughed. "You're acting like you're asking to borrow twenty bucks or something, not a complicated scheme to get your entitled brat out of the state for a few weeks."

I grunt. "I'll pay for the hotel he'll be at, just give him some busy work scouting out locations or whatever the fuck you want. Tell him you knew me from years ago and heard through the grapevine that my son was a business major. It will make his head so big he won't be able to resist."

"Yeah, fine, I'll do it. You said you'll provide the security for the next showcase we have?"

Relief makes me exhale before I answer. "For sure, man. I appreciate it."

Hanging up, I cross my arms and look over the lake. So, that's the first step in seducing Teagan—making sure Ricky will be far away and unable to interrupt us again. The next hurdle is going to be the diner. If she works as much as she says she does, then there's barely any time for her to spend with me.

Damn, I want her so fucking badly that having any patience at this point seems impossible. So how the hell am I going to get her away from that pathetic greasy spoon so I can show her how good life can really be? She's still probably naive to a lot of things, but I plan on spoiling her as much as I possibly can on the way to making her mine for good.

An idea hits me. I could buy the place, shut it down for renovations, and then be there when she starts to worry about money during her time off. It's risky because I can't imagine she'd be thrilled if she found out, but it seems like almost the perfect solution. With the right timing, it would force her into my hands and keep her there for at least a few days. Maybe by the end of the week, I can get her into bed with me.

My phone vibrates, and I see a text from Ian. He always did make quick work of any job he was given, and I guess this is no exception.

"It's done, but your son is a fucking idiot. No offense."

Laughing, I send him back a thumbs-up emoji.

"None taken."

Dropping into one of the outdoor lounges, I kick my feet up and laugh to myself. Ah, Ricky, you little shit. Hope you have a good time out in sunny California on a wild fucking goose chase for a store that's never going to exist.

Buying a diner, then. I'll have to pass the place off to some other moron as soon as I have Teagan well and fully seduced, but for now, I've got to get things going. I scroll through my contacts and find the acquisitions manager for my own security company, grinning as I think how this is going to be one of the weirdest fucking jobs I'll ever give him. Oh well. I pay all of my employees enough to not ask questions. Tapping the contact, I listen to the phone ring, ready to get this part done, too.

I think I will have a drink before bed. I've got a waitress to see bright and early, and whether she knows it or not, it's going to be the first day of the rest of her life. Teagan opened up that door when she showed her interest in me, and there's no closing it now.

The diner is just starting to empty out, and the night shift is just coming on when I walk in. It's not the same waitress as last time. This one is older, with her blonde hair cut into a severe bob and tired, bored eyes.

"A table for one, sir?"

"I'll actually just have a coffee. Can you have Teagan come take my order? It's a personal matter."

She frowns but nods. She's not the first waitress to try and intercept me before Teagan can—they must know about the huge tips I leave—but I don't give a damn. It's Teagan and no one else that I want. No one else could make me look forward to bland food and burnt coffee.

Sipping the steaming cup of weak liquid, I'm glad to see that the place is emptying out, even though the clock says it's only just after nine. Guess that's the advantage of having the town's only diner be open twenty-four hours.

I feel my heart slam into my ribcage as Teagan walks through the double doors to the kitchen, and a grin spreads across my face. She looks beautiful as always, but I can tell that she's exhausted. There are bags under her eyes, and her skin has a sallow tint to it like she hasn't seen the sun in months. I can't stand seeing her in this shithole. I want her to be mine, but it's going to have to wait a few more days until I can have everything put together.

"What's the special today, doll?" I ask.

She sighs, her shoulders drooping as she approaches. "Just a cheeseburger. But we've had a ton of cooks calling out sick so it's going to take a while."

It takes me a second to get what she's saying, but when the realization hits, I have to grind my teeth together to stop from losing my shit. "Are you telling me that you worked the overnight shift, and now you're working the morning shift, too? They can't fucking do that, Teagan. You need rest."

"What I need," she sighs, uncharacteristically vulnerable in her tiredness, "is money, so I'm not trying to complain about the extra shift."

"When was the last time you ate, baby?"

"Yesterday?" She shrugs, not seeming to care.

"Alright, let's go," I say, standing up.

"Excuse me?"

"You're taking a break. Come with me."

"I can't just leave in the middle of my shift."

"Sure you can. Fuck everyone else."

Teagan shakes her head. "No, I just can't do that, Tobias. I can't do anything that would lose me this serving job."

I shrug, not caring. "Then tell me where your manager's office is, and I'll get the permission for you. You need to eat, Teagan. You look exhausted."

She looks even more uncomfortable. "I can't. It's the rush hour."

I look around at the empty booths. In this place, there is never a fucking rush hour. No one is rushing to get to this diner. "What rush, Teagan? Clock out and come with me. This is ridiculous."

Teagan bites her bottom lip, clearly considering it. "Fine. Just follow me."

"That's a good girl."

The look she gives me over her shoulder is a mixture of surprise and something else, her cheeks flushing. I watch her take off her apron, folding it up neatly, more than ready to get her the hell out of here. My blood boils just thinking of how long she's been on her feet and how hungry she must be.

I see her exchange a few words with an older waitress, who nods, and then Teagan is headed my way. She's almost at my side when another figure emerges from the back. It's one I rarely see because I expect he's sitting on his fat ass in the back while everyone else runs the diner—Teagan's manager. He's wide and paunchy, and when he sees Teagan without her apron, he flushes red.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Teagan?" He fumes, uncaring that it's in the middle of the dining room. "You've got four hours at least before you can even dream about leaving."

Oh, this poor, stupid bastard. He has no idea who I am, and he has no idea what Teagan means to me. And I don't care about the consequences. Not at all.

"Hey," I say, walking over to him. His head barely reaches my chest, and I tower over him easily. "Do you know who I am?"

"I don't give a damn who you are," he blusters. "Do you know who I am?"

Crossing my arms, I look down my nose at him. "No, and I couldn't care a single fuck less. This woman is leaving. Right now. I'm taking her to a nice restaurant to get something to eat, and she'll be back in a few hours."

He scoffs. "You don't make the rules here. She works for me, and I say when she's allowed to leave." He raises one finger and waves it in my direction, and it's a miracle I don't tear him limb from limb. "You're messing with things you don't understand, big guy, so I suggest you step off."

I look back at Teagan, who looks absolutely mortified, and it just pisses me off more. It's this dickhead that's forcing me to make a scene, and he really seems to think he's going to step up to me. I don't care to kick his ass, and the only reason I'm holding back is Teagan. But the next thing he says erases any desire to hold back.

The manager turns his head to look at my girl. "And you know, Teagan, we need you on your feet and serving. I don't want you falling asleep on the job. If you can't handle it, then maybe you should find another job."

My blood boils, and the rage is hot and fast as it consumes me. Teagan's jaw drops, and the hurt and confusion in her eyes make me want to commit murder. "There is no way in hell you're going to talk to her like that."

He opens his mouth like he's going to actually say something else, but I grab him by the collar and hoist him off the ground before he even knows what's happening.

"Listen up, motherfucker," I say, loud and clear, so everyone can hear. "If this young lady ever gets fired because of you, if I hear you've ever treated her poorly, or if she gets so much as a paper cut while she's working for you, I will personally track you down and beat you within an inch of your fucking life. Do you understand?"

I shake him, his face already turning purple, and his stubby, short little legs kicking.

"Do you fucking understand?" I force the words between my teeth. It makes no difference to me one way or the other if I strangle this fucker right now, but I don't know that Teagan will ever look at me the same if I do. There's a thin line between defending a woman's honor and murdering a man in front of her.

"Yes!" he squeaks, the pathetic little shit.

"Good."

I let him go, and he crumples to the ground, gasping and coughing. I bring my foot back to kick him in the ribs but stop when I hear Teagan inhale sharply. Damnit, okay. I have to leave it at this for now.

"Let's go." I put a hand on the small of Teagan's back and start to guide her out the door. I ignore the groaning of the man on the floor, the whispers of all the other workers and the sparse guests, everything. I have no other concern than getting the girl at my side out of nowhere and somewhere I can feed her.

We've almost made it out when the manager manages to sit up, his back against the host stand. "You've made a big mistake, both of you. You have no idea who I am or the world of trouble you've gotten yourself into," he wheezes.

All I can do is roll my eyes. What a dumb prick. I've heard these threats before, always made by overly wealthy idiots who think the law is anything I fear. In my years as a hitman, I've lined the pockets of hundreds of cops, and it's safe to say most of them know my name. Lawyers won't touch me either.

I might not be working under the umbrella of any of the big crime families these days, but even retired, I have enough clout and enough dirt on these attorneys that they don't even bother. Not with someone as dangerous as I am.

So the manager's words earn nothing but derisive snort from me. "You're talking like someone who wants me to follow through with that kick."

He blanches, and I force any other words I want to say to him back into my throat and continue out with Teagan. I'm afraid if I stay here any longer, I might kill a man. And it would be a shame to go through all that effort for free when I used to get paid to do it.

Teagan takes another bite of her French toast and sighs in happiness. She's still a little shaky, but the food and iced coffee that looks to be half sugar and creamer seem to have steadied her.

I don't know much about what kind of breakfast spots girls of Teagan's age might like, but a quick search on my phone gave me a few options, and I just picked the highest-rated option without putting much more thought into it. Teagan was shaking so hard when I got her to my car that I knew I had to get her mind on other subjects or she was going to shut down on me. Turns out my girl has a sweet tooth. I wonder if that means she'll taste sweet, too.

"Feel better, doll?"

She smiles. "Much, thanks. That was a hell of a show you put on back there. I've never seen him scared like that."

I shrug, sipping my black coffee. "He was getting on my nerves. But it's nothing compared to what would have happened if he laid a finger on you."

Teagan laughs. "I appreciate the gesture, but it wasn't like that."

"I'm serious, Teagan."

She tilts her head to the side and looks me over slowly, "You act like knocking people to the ground like that is totally normal."

I shrug again. "I have a reputation."

Teagan takes a bite of her French toast and raises her eyebrows, waiting for me to continue.

"I'm a dangerous man, Teagan. I know it, you know it, and I can see it written on your face. You're afraid of me. And that's fine."

Her eyes widen. "I'm not afraid of you, Tobias."

I lean in a little closer. "Maybe you should be."

There's a teasing look in her eyes as she responds. "Then maybe you should give me a reason to, hm?"

I laugh, the sound of it dark. Her words go straight to my groin, and I shift in my chair for relief, but there's none to be found. There won't be unless it's at Teagan's hand. "You're playing with fire, doll, and you don't even know it."

Teagan licks her lips. "Maybe I want to."

Fuck.

My cock twitches and throbs, and I know that if she keeps this up, I'll end up dragging her into the bathroom and fucking her right against the door.

"Eat your food, Teagan. Once you're fed and rested, then we can revisit this subject. As of right now, it wouldn't be right to push this any further." Even if we both want to , I think.

She sighs and sits back flat in her seat, the playful look on her face fading. "You're probably right. I'm...I'm putting on a brave face because I'm terrified that I've just lost my job if I'm being honest."

"So what? You don't need that shit."

"Uh, yes I do." Her eyebrows go up. "You have no idea how I live, Tobias."

Teagan might have a point, but it doesn't matter. How she's living now is not how she will be living when she's with me. I wave at her food again, coaxing her to eat, and she finally continues to do so, giving me a second to think about what my next move is going to be.

"I have a proposition for you, Teagan."

She scoffs. "Oh yeah? What's that?"

"Come and stay with me for the next few weeks." I lean back and give her a slow smile. "I've got this big place and seeing you there would…satisfy me."

Her jaw drops. "You're joking, right?"

"No, not at all. I've got the space. Then you won't have to go back to that fucking nasty diner again and can take your time figuring things out. Plus I don't like the idea of retaliation from your piece of shit manager."

She flushes. "Tobias, we barely know each other. And Ricky..."

I hold up a hand. "Stop. Don't say his name. He's not here and that's all that matters."

"It's not just that," she protests. "I share an apartment with another girl at the diner. I can't just leave her hanging."

"You won't," I assure her. "I'll take care of everything. We'll go to your place, you can get some things, and come stay with me."

Teagan seems lost in thought as she eats her French toast, picking up a piece of bacon and crunching it between her teeth. It's an insane proposition. I'm not so blinded by my need for her that I can't see that, but at this point, I'm sure our connection goes both ways.

That, and I just strangled her boss a considerable amount. So maybe she'll want some time away from all that.

"I don't have a lot of family," she admits quietly. "Not a lot of friends, either, if I'm being honest. So I don't really know how terrible of an idea this really is because…Well, I really want to agree."

She flushes red at the confession—at least her cheeks do. It's hard not to think about what other parts of her might be flushed too. "Then do it. When was the last time you've made a decision all on your own, just for yourself?"

Before she can see it coming, I reach across the table, spearing a piece of her toast, dipping it in the syrup, and holding it up for her to eat. Teagan's eyes go wide, but she's an obedient little thing and leans forward. Her pink lips part, tongue darting out to catch the syrup before it drips, and gingerly takes the bite off the fork.

Fuck, I don't think I've ever been harder than I am right now. I could fuck through a steel beam.

"Say yes," I command her. "Say it, Teagan."

She swallows but, after a breath, nods. "Okay. Yes."

"Good girl. Good, sweet girl," I rumble, setting the fork down to wipe a phantom drop of syrup off her bottom lip just to feel her soft skin. "Now finish up and let's get out of here."

"Don't you have to go to work today?" she asks, dazed.

I chuckle. "No, doll. That's the perk of being the boss. I go in when I want, and today…well, I've got more interesting plans."