BURNING HOT

CHAPTER 18

Al Barone stared out the window at the bustling business street. The town car had tinted glass, adding to the darkness, but it was more his sullen mood that kept him from seeing anything but the endless buildings pass by. He didn't know how today's meeting will turn out in his favor.

The car suddenly stopped with a jerk that would have jerked him in his seat if he didn't have fast reflexes. "What happened?" Al looked around before noticing a woman running towards them.

Lui was already shoving his door opened. "A kid ran into the road"

Al didn't wait to here more, before stepping out.

"Boss,” Lui cautioned. “We don't know if this is diversion, you'll be safer in the car," He turned his head to look at Rene who checked on the kid.

His hand slid to his gun, and he sent a quick hand signal to the others in the car to do the same and then spoke into his radio to ensure the other two cars filled with security were ready for anything.

His men arrived last night, and Ila had informed him the time. He watched Rene carry a little girl in his arms away from the road to the side walk as the woman rushing to them stopped and broke into tears.

He quickly moved closer as his bodyguard glared at him, yeah he wasn't going to hear the end of this. "How did this happen? His she okay?" He asked as the woman checked over the little girl who looked shocked with her big brown eyes.

"Oh my God thank you so much, thank you for stopping in time." She grabbed the little girl and kisses her all over. "I'm trying a collar around your neck next time. I thought I lost you this time."

The woman cleaned her face and stood up with her daughter. "I'm so grateful Sir."

"You should be more careful." He almost snapped at the woman, after hearing what she said it meant this wasn't the first time she lost the child. "Are you absolutely sure she's fine?" He asked again already irritated with the whole thing.

"I checked not a scratch, she's just shaken." Rene said and the mother confirmed apologizing for the inconvenience.

Al turned away and stepped back into the car to wait for his men to settle whatever was left. How could a mother lose her kid, the street was busy but then this wasn't the first time it happened. If it had been any other driver the probably wouldn't have seen the girl or stop the car on time like Rene had.

Tyler, Lui and Rene got back inside and soon they were back on the road. He knew Lui couldn't wait to chew him out for breaking security protocols but his sour mood was radiating off him even though he sat there with a calm face.

Al cursed under his breath, using his native language. Getting out of the car as Lui opened it, he moved easily through those walking at the front of the tall office building. People moved out of his way. It was the set of his wide shoulders, and his expressionless mask, the threat in his cold, dead eyes.

He had a way of affecting what people him as and he hasn't been in a good mood since he left Ila's home. Now he was going to meet her and her bodyguard Sam privately. The three of them in a room?

He saw the reactions of the people, and he knew exactly what they would do step aside for him and his men, so he never broke or deviated from his pace. He looked dangerous because he was dangerous. He looked like a man who would kill—and he was.

He had wanted to portray his calm nature and probably a soft side like he was all does years when they met but he wasn't that boy anymore and life had shown him a different side of it.

He didn’t pretend to be anything other than who he was. A dangerous man. A Mafia Boss. A weapon sent out when it was deemed necessary. There was no hiding the truth, not even from himself, and he didn’t care to.

His father never let him off on training from when he started to work he had been sent to different families across the world to be trained into what he was now.

Life had handed him a s**t deck of cards, but he was playing his hand until he couldn’t take it anymore and now he met the woman he thought he lost forever.

He was not letting go of the hope meeting her had brought to him. He wasn't Lossing her again this time.

~°~°~•~°~°~

"Kitty, no disturbances during this meeting," Ila firmly instructed her trusted assistant. "You'll handle all calls and emergencies. Dean will be there to assist you with anything you need."

"Anyone but him," Kitty lamented.

"You know the security protocol, Kitty. Return to your station while I wait for Sam to introduce our guest." Ila had a busy morning, having woken up early and spent hours at her home gym to clear her mind before an early work meeting. Her ex-father-in-law was now targeting her business since he couldn't get to her or Sky.

Kitty glanced at her phone and sighed, "I'll check on the last preparations." She left her boss's office to arrange the remaining refreshments. As soon as she closed the door, the opposite one opened, and Sam emerged, wearing his usual gloomy and intimidating expression.

"Inform Ila that her guest has arrived," Kitty nodded and watched him move down the hall to the elevator. He moved with an agility and grace unusual for a man of his size, like a tiger stalking its prey.

In her haste to fetch the final tray from the break room, Kitty couldn't help but dwell on her annoyance towards the man her boss had chosen to assist her. Dean possessed exceptional intelligence, serving as the team's hacker, but Kitty prided herself on her speed, and he seemed to relish in frustrating her ever since he discovered her edge.

Ila's bodyguards were no ordinary lot; they left the rest of the staff uneasy. Following the last attack on Ila, everyone had witnessed their incredible ability to protect their boss.

Knocking on the door, Kitty entered at the sound of Ila's soft voice, which seemed to reach her ears directly. She found her boss still at her desk, typing away on her laptop.

"Sam informed me that your guest will be here shortly," Kitty said as she arranged the snacks on the center table.

"I can't believe Kozlov chose this week to cause trouble," Ila said, reluctantly closing her laptop and standing.

Unable to hold back her frustration, Kitty grumbled under her breath, "I really think you should let Sam deal with that man."

Ila, choosing not to engage in that argument again, inquired, "Tell me, how do I look?"

Kitty gazed at her stunning boss with her intense amber eyes that sometimes made you uncomfortable, which had a captivating effect when she directed her full gaze at you. Despite the stress on her face from hours of meetings, she still looked remarkable.

"Like the empress of her empire," Kitty commented, earning an amused smile from Ila. "You look beautiful, as always, Ila. But I think you should sit through this one; your leg seems to be giving you trouble, and it shows."

"Thank you for putting it so gently, Kitty. Now, get back to work. We have a lot on our plate thanks to that annoying old man," Ila sighed, considering the idea of letting Sam handle the situation more seriously.

"I'll take my leave now. Let me know if you need anything," Kitty said, heading towards the door.

"Sure, thanks." Ila watched her go and then poured herself a drink, feeling the liquid burn down her throat and ease her tension.

Her body had been humming since an erotic dream the previous night, and Grace hadn't let her forget it. Ila had unintentionally assaulted her best friend in her sleep. After munching on a freshly baked treat, she visited the bathroom to freshen up.

Feeling more relaxed after washing her face and reapplying lipstick, she adjusted her clothes. A knock sounded, followed by the door opening; Sam was the only one who didn't wait for an invitation, and he was accompanied by Al.

Sam and Al observed with keen interest as Ila gracefully shifted her weight from one leg to another, emerging from the partially opened bathroom door. A heavy sigh escaped her lips, an air of foreboding clinging to her like a second skin. Slowly, she made her way out of the bathroom, her deliberate steps echoing in the tense silence, and she gently closed the door behind her.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Barone. It's indeed a pleasure to finally have you here. Please, do make yourself comfortable and feel free to indulge in some refreshments," Ila greeted, her elegant poise still intact as she leaned lightly on her cane. Sam couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern at the sight of her relying on that support.

Al, who had initially intended to exude an aura of brooding intensity, found his mood lightening almost instantly upon locking eyes with Ila across the room. As she moved with a graceful sway, her cane in hand, his tension seemed to melt away. He watched her every move, captivated.

Ila was adorned in a one-piece white suit that clung to her like a second skin, accentuating every curve. A glistening gold chain graced her lower waist, adding an irresistible allure to her attire. Her dark, luxuriant hair was elegantly tied in a high ponytail, drawing attention to her eyes. Those eyes seemed to blaze with an inner fire, igniting with each gentle caress of sunlight.

If the form-fitting outfit and the golden waist chain weren't enough to captivate one's attention, her designer had boldly cut the neckline of her blouse, revealing a creamy, bronze décolletage that demanded notice. Al couldn't deny that this display wasn't intended for him, but he couldn't help but entertain a few audacious thoughts. Ila Ivanov possessed a daring confidence that could make even the strongest of men feel a twinge of intimidation.

"Thanks. I hope your men have been well taken care of and provided for?" Ila inquired, aware that his team would want to ensure their boss's safety and might have made specific demands for access.

"Yes, Mr. Stepanov has meticulously overseen every detail. My men are being attended to without any issues," Al assured them. Politeness dictated that they wait for her to take her seat before doing so themselves.

"Just call me Sam," Sam said spoke at out, his voice adopting a deeper tone than usual. Ila turned her head to look at him, her gaze piercing. Though Sam appeared relaxed, the simmering tension beneath the surface was palpable. It was becoming evident that this meeting wasn't starting on the smoothest note.

"I'm perfectly fine with that, as long as we dispense with the last names and adopt a more casual tone," Al suggested, as Ila subtly attempted to downplay the devilish smirk that Al cast her way. His eyes, however, seemed irresistibly drawn to her décolletage.

"That suits me just fine. Would you care for a drink? I certainly would," Ila murmured, her voice a seductive whisper as she poured herself a drink. She extended the same courtesy to Al and Sam, both of whom expressed their gratitude.

"So, about the reports..." Ila began, trailing off with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.

"Actually," Al interjected, his gaze shifting between the file and Ila, "Sam handed the report to Lui yesterday. I've already taken a look and had a discussion with Kat this morning."

Ila leaned back in her seat, finishing her drink. She made a subtle attempt to reach for the bottle, but Al was quicker, their fingers brushing briefly. She withdrew her hand slowly, her breath hitching as her eyes remained locked on his.

"Allow me to pour you a glass," Al offered, his actions deliberate. Ila struggled to divert her gaze from his inviting lips, her mind briefly flooded with memories from her dream the previous night.

"Thank you," she replied, finally looking away to Sam. His gaze had taken on a darker, more intense quality as he observed her interaction with Al. The room was practically vibrating with an unspoken, electric tension that seemed to envelop all three of them.

"If we're not going to discuss the reports, perhaps we should shift our focus to Sky and Matt's upcoming exams. They're scheduled for school tomorrow," Ila suggested, aiming to steer the conversation toward safer territory.

"Yes, indeed. In that case," Al said, passing Ila her glass and topping up Sam's,

"Sam, what's the latest from the school?" Sam ran a hand through his beard, a habitual gesture that Ila couldn't help but find oddly enticing. Her eyes followed the movement, momentarily distracted from the pressing matters at hand.

"The school board is adamant about not allowing our men inside the premises. They're concerned about disrupting the other students, particularly during the exams," Sam explained, his voice strong and deep.

"That's far from ideal," Al commented, his fingers tracing the intricate patterns of his rings on the armchair, the subtle glimmer catching the light.

"However," Sam continued, "Sarah managed to negotiate a compromise."

A soft chuckle escaped Ila as she imagined Sarah, a pistol laid casually on the table, juxtaposed with an innocent smile that concealed her true intentions.

"It proved effective, and that's what counts. The board approved Sarah's proposal," Sam shrugged, his confidence evident. He had an uncanny knack for getting his way.

"I'm curious to hear the details," Al urged, his gaze unwavering on Sam.

"Their solution involves setting up a separate room for Sky and Matt, complete with two supervisors who will oversee their exams. One of those supervisors will be one of our team members. We've arranged for Kat to protect the boys discreetly by posing as a fellow student and taking the exams alongside them."

"That sounds like a well-thought-out plan," Ila acknowledged, though a trace of concern still lingered in her eyes.

"In addition," Sam continued, "Some of our team members and Al's will be in disguise around them in the building and out, prepared to intervene if any issues arise. Backup will be on standby, although we don't anticipate needing it. We'll be the first line of defense."

The memory from Saturday was still very fresh, when five of Bananno's men had coincidentally been in the building, and went easily after Matt and providing a crucial distraction that allowed backup to reach Ila and Grace, lingered in the room like an unspoken truth.

"I love that, Al," she said softly. "I caught a glimpse on the news. They say the police finally apprehended the person responsible for that attack." Al most have delivered Marco to the police.

"Killing him easily wouldn't have sufficed for the lives lost and the suffering inflicted," Al responded, his tone measured and calculating. "Their families needed closure, someone to bear the weight of their anguish." He nodded, his expression inscrutable.

"Sounds sweet, but if Sam had given me the chance, I would have dealt with him swiftly."

A shiver ran down her spine as Al's voice suddenly turned icy. "Oh he's going to die for sure" His eyes, filled with a predatory hunger, roamed her body. She instinctively sought refuge in Sam, but he appeared equally captivated, ready to unleash his desires. Tension crackled in the air.

As Sam dropped his cup and removed his jacket, her pulse quickened. With deliberate intent, he rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing his powerful arms. The fabric clung to his skin, emphasizing his strength. But it was Al's voice that yanked her attention back to the room.

"You don't seem quite settled, big guy," Al observed, his gaze never leaving Sam's stern face. Ila couldn't help but chuckle inwardly at Al's audacity in calling Sam "big guy" when he was imposing himself.

Sam leaned back, spreading his legs wider, his dark eyes locked onto hers. It was a look she knew all too well, promising dominance, but there was an unexpected twist to it.

He didn't intend to spirit her away; instead, he seemed hell-bent on asserting his dominance right there in front of Al. It was a terrible idea, and yet, there was a fierce determination in his eyes.

"Sam," she breathed, her voice trembling, sensing the room's atmosphere become charged with an almost palpable tension. She felt like their prey, caught between these two magnetic forces, and she couldn't escape their magnetic pull.

"Would you care to share the dream Grace couldn't resist teasing you about this morning, baby?" Sam inquired.

His eyes gaze shifted to Al. "Was it him?"

"Or perhaps both of us," Sam continued, as she felt their dual intensity pinning her in place. A wicked grin playing on Al's lips.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, she decided to leave them both hanging, savoring the suspense that enveloped the room.

"Which one, I wonder," she teased, her voice dripping with allure, knowing that the c****x of this power play was yet to come.