The Mafia Lord's Vengeance

Chapter Eight: Do not Disturb

VALERIE

I exited the elevator with a full stomach and a lighter mood than I had that morning. Good food will do that for anyone.

I stalked towards my boss’s office, wanting to check if he needed me to do anything for him. Anything at all if it meant I would not have the time to think.

I did not, for the life of me, know why I had not forgotten the blue-eyed stranger I met almost three months ago. Or his baritone, or the musky, earthy scent of him. Or the brooding, moody aura that seemed to swallow him up.

DO NOT DISTURB

Huh?

I stared in confusion at the sign in front of Jason’s office, my hand raised midway to knock.

Curious, I tried to peer inside, wondering what was happening in the office.

Maybe he was having an important meeting?? Or having a talk with someone who he wished to remain anonymous?

A naughty, naughty part of me could not help but think. Maybe he was entertaining a lover there.

I snickered, shaking my head at the absurd thought. He was Jason Ford. And while I did not know too much about his personal life, he did not seem the type to mix business with pleasure.

Also, if one did not know better, one would think he had taken a sort of liking to me.

I snorted at that other absurd thought. He was just probably being nice to me, the way he was with everyone. Not like I knew how hw was with everyone, but I knew he was someone with a great amount of credibility from the articles about him.

I shook my head at myself, I really needed to stop listening to Stella’s judgement. What on earth would Jason Ford of LA Empire see in me? I was sure he was just being nice to me. And even if he was not, I had enough baggage of my own. It would not be fair to entertain attractions from another man - no matter how hot - when my mind was stuck on someone else.

I was just about to walk away, to my space, when a deep, familiar baritone voiced out.

“He did what?”

I paused, my heart seeming to decide to start skipping three beats per second.

That voice, that baritone.

I whirled back to face the glass door.

Could it be?

Could it be my driver stranger?

I rushed to my office to peer at the glass wall that separated my boss’s office from mine. I could only make out two figures through the blurry wall.

One that was most definitely Jason because of the familiar blonde head and where he sat. The other, more brooding, hulking and intimidating figure with a dark brown head sat opposite him, where I normally sat when giving Jason my report.

Could it be him?

Something told me that I was just being a lovesick girl. There was no way the driver from California was here in Los Angeles, in my boss’s office.

I rolled my eyes and went back to my seat. He was probably just a VIP client of the firm.

My stranger's driver did not seem like the type to be associated with law firms. He was more of an aggressive and dark sort. Like someone I would not be surprised to see in an underground fighting floor.

I snorted. Too many movies, Valerie, my subconscious said to me.

I had watched a thriller with Stella yesterday and woken up drenched with sweat and more than slick in my intimate place, awoken from a very detailed, very real 18+ sort of dream with a certain blue-eyed person.

I had groaned with s****l frustration, hence my shitty mood since morning. The mood I had managed to get over with good food now rushed back at me as if to say YOU THINK YOU CAN ESCAPE ME, b***h?

Trust me, I know I can’t. I have tried.

I sighed, picked up my phone and dialed the first number that came to my mind.

He answered on the third ring.

“Valerie?”

I sat up, surprised he even picked up.

“Where the f**k have you been all week, Jackson Coleman??”

He sighed through the phone and I frowned.

“What is going on?” I asked in a softer tone. “You know you can talk to me,right Cole?”

“Yeah, it is just... I do not know how to explain on the phone.” He muttered.

“Why don’t you come to my place or do I come to yours?”

“I would prefer you come over, Val. I am too sick to go anywhere anyway.”

“What do you mean sick?? You are sick and I am just hearing of it now?” I asked incredulously, hurt.

“It is a long story, Val. I did not want you to worry. I am sorry.” He said in a tired, apologetic tone.

“You better spill everything once I come over tonight, Cole. Be thankful Stella went back home this morning, she would have spanked your ass.” I said, leaving no tone for argument.

Cole chuckled, "You can spank my ass. I will pretend it is Stella.”

“Shut up, you are in no place to make jokes with me.” I griped, but I was smiling.

“Yes ma’am, sorry ma’am.”

“I will see you soon, I get off by 5pm.” I said, ending the call.