Page 93 of Hannah and the Hitman
I licked my lips, stared into Jack’s dark eyes as I asked. “What about Jack?”
“Jack? He couldn’t even kill a man in a restaurant without making a mess. I admit, he’s smart. He’s keeping you around because of your superpowers.”
I sucked in a breath at the word usage.
“You don’t think he’d be interested in you otherwise, do you?”
Jack’s gaze hardened. Sal Reggiano’s words rang with a possibility. One that I would have believed even a week earlier. Now, though, I knew they were false. Lies. Because Jack had wanted me on the plane from Vegas, when I was a nerdy, overweight woman who’d attended a romance book signing. One who couldn’t keep a man. Who couldn’t satisfy one.
I was the same person, but I saw myself differently now.
Jack didn’t want to stand in front of me, he wanted to standbesideme. Because I was strong. And brave. And powerful all by myself.
Being able to powerlift a fridge sure didn’t hurt though.
Jack remained silent through all this. I was sure he had a reason why, but I couldn’t use brain power to figure outwhy. I was trying to be verbal and answer wisely for Sal Reggiano.
“That’s not a very nice thing to say.”
“Nice?” He barked out a laugh. “I don’t need to be nice. People do what I tell them or die.”
“I’ve already got a job as a librarian,” I reminded. “I’m happy and set with it, thanks.”
“I don’t think you heard what I said. You do what I say or die.”
An ultimatum. From a mafia boss.
I gulped. Brittany would clap gleefully, then shit a brick.
“You want me for my… talents. You’re all bluster because I’m no good to you if I’m dead.”
“True. I do need you alive, but I can kill your family. Your parents’ home is so quaint. They have a surprising variety of dead animals on the walls. Even I have to admit it’s a little creepy.”
My eyes widened as I stared at Jack. Sal Reggiano knew about my parents. Knew about the inside of their house.
“Are you also a good shot, Hannah Highcliff? Are you a hunter, too? Your talents keep growing.”
“My parents have nothing to do with this,” I said.
“No, parents never do. You’re new to the mafia so I’ll give you your first lesson. If you don’t do what I want, when I want, how I want, I kill everyone you love.”
“Um… okay.” I didn’t know of any other answer.
“Good. I’ll see you in one hour.”
“What?” I frowned. “Where?”
“Your parents’ house, of course. Oh, your mother says to bring the potato salad.”
61
JACK
Hannah had never talked with a guy like Reggiano before. She might’ve thrown Smitty around, but he’d been harmless to her with me and Dax feet away and ready to step in. He was an asshole, especially to his ex, but he wasn’t anywhere near the level of dangerous and ruthless as a mafia boss.
All things considered she was taking the phone call pretty well. Maybe it was the orgasm.
“You okay, gorgeous?” I asked, stroking a hand over her hair.