Chapter 4

Chapter Four

VITALY

D espite the late hour, Luca, my right-hand advisor, is waiting in my penthouse to talk to me. When he sees me leading Pru off the elevator, his eyes widen.

"Fuck. Tell me that's not who I think it is."

"I'm not in the mood, Luca," I warn him. My grip tightens on Pru's elbow as I take her through the house and into my office. I walk over next to the couch and point to the cushion. "Sit."

"I'm not a dog," she snips and cuts her eyes to mine.

"You're right," I say, and some of the tension in her arm eases. "A dog would obey. Now sit your ass down, little one. My patience is running thin."

She huffs but finally takes a seat. After I release her, I go over to my desk and fall into the leather chair.

Luca hesitates for a moment, looking between us. "I need to talk to you, boss."

"Then say it." He glances over to Pru, who takes off her sneakers and hugs her legs against her chest. When she shivers, I sigh loudly and get up from my desk. "Spit it out, Luca, I've got enough shit to deal with on my own tonight."

I'm annoyed as I stomp over to the other side of my office and snatch the blanket off the chair. When I toss it at Pru, she takes it and pulls it over her body.

"I think it might be best said in private," Luca tries again, and while I appreciate his discretion, I think we're a little past that tonight.

I don't respond to his suggestion but turn my glare on him as I take a seat for a second time. He seems to understand that I'm too fucking close to the edge for patience right now.

"We got a call earlier about some of our guys getting picked up by the cops. There was a bust down at the docks, and a shipment was taken."

"Goddamn it," I say and rub the spot on the side of my head that's throbbing. "What did they get?"

While Luca goes through the inventory of what we lost at the warehouse, I watch Pru out of the corner of my eye. She's looking around my office at all the paintings and art. I'm suddenly aware that I didn't decorate this room, and I wonder how it looks from her perspective.

Ignoring Luca, I tap the screen on my home intercom. "Yes, Mr. Parlov," Francis says.

"Bring some refreshments to my office. We have a guest staying with us."

"Yes, sir," he says before hanging up.

Luca looks annoyed at the interruption but goes back to telling me about the raid. Every time he lists something, I get pissed all over again. It's not like I'm dealing with guns or drugs. The shit I sell out of the warehouse is small-time. It's annoying because that was one of the bigger stocks we had. I'm confused why the cops would bust that stash when most of them know where my real money is.

Underground casinos that cater to rich assholes who think they can beat the house. Those idiots never learn, and I rake it in hand over fist. It's one of the reasons I'm at war with Pru's father. He wants to bicker over territory that was established long before he was put in charge. Now he's trying to redraw the lines and expects a cut of my profits. That will happen over my dead body.

Francis wheels a cart into the office and waits for instructions. I nod toward the couch so he knows to serve Pru first. He pushes the cart over to where she's seated and then talks quietly to her about the offerings.

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I know I should be listening to Luca. Instead, I can't look away as Pru smiles sweetly at the older man while he pours her a cup of hot chocolate. She tries to refuse a piece of cake, but Francis insists, and she eventually takes it from him.

Francis leaves my usual evening coffee on my desk before checking with Luca to see if he needs anything. After Luca declines, he leaves us to finish our business.

"Who was supposed to be on lookout tonight?" I ask Luca after I take a drink of the coffee.

"Marshal and that new guy, Bradley. They got called inside to help unload the last truck. One of the drivers brought in an extra shipment they weren't expecting."

"How the fuck did the cops know we'd be there?" I ask and clench my fist on top of my desk.

"We think we've got an informant. Someone close to Benecci."

Pru snorts, and we both turn our heads to stare at her. "Is something funny?" I ask, and her ice-blue eyes meet mine.

She seems to think over her answer very carefully before finally speaking. "My father is a lot of things, but he's not stupid. He's got someone you know in his back pocket."

"How can you be so sure?" Luca's question comes out more like an order.

"I was told most of my life to stay quiet. After a while, they forgot I was there." She shrugs and takes a bite of cake like it's not a big deal. In reality, I can hear the truth in those words. She was made to be seen and not heard, but in turn, she heard it all.

Luca is thoughtful before he nods. "She could be useful."

"No shit," I tell him and finish the last of my coffee.

"I think what I know makes me valuable," Pru tells us before putting the empty plate on the table. "In fact, I think it gives me a right to make a few demands." She stands up and then points her finger in my direction. "Number one?—"

Before she can list off all the things she wants, her eyes close, and she flops back down on the couch.

Luca looks stunned before he raises a brow in my direction.

I calmly stand from my desk and straighten my jacket. "Don't worry. It was only a little something to help her sleep."

"This is going to be very bad."