Unforgivable Secrets | One Mistake Away Series Bk 1 [Mob Romance]

Chapter 40 - Bang Goes The Gun

Harper's POV:

Rubbing my temples, I stared at a spreadsheet on my laptop. Staring was pretty much all I was capable of for the moment. Too many thoughts barreled through my brain.

My phone beeped, knocking me from my daydreaming. Sighing, I gave my temples a final massage. Pressing the button, I stared at my door as if my secretary was standing there. "Yes, Sylvy?"

"Joanna Smitty is here. She doesn't have an appointment. Should I send her away?" Sylvy questioned slowly, uncertainty ebbing away at her voice.

"No, that's all right. Please send her in. Thank you, Sylvy." I pressed the intercom off, closing my laptop lid and straightening my desk. Even if she was married to my second in command, I still had an image to uphold. Cleanliness was next to godliness, or so they said, and I needed to be in a position that was practically next to godliness.

A knock on my door brought my gaze up. It didn't matter if I was expecting it or not, it still grabbed and held my attention. "Come in."

Opening my door like she owned the place, Joanna let it close itself as she marched to me. Her shoulders back, she walked tall and confidently. She owned the room like she always did when she made an entrance.

Cocky bitch. Gah I love her style. The thoughts thankfully stayed in my mind.

"I'm glad you stopped by. I've been meaning to call you in. We need to chat." I spoke slowly, recalibrating my mind, and standing until she took a seat. Sitting back down, I leaned back in my chair.

"I need to speak with you as well." She stared at me like she was seeking some kind of approval from deep within my soul.

Not eerie at all.

Humming my acknowledgement, I cleared my throat. "I'll start."

She nodded, waiting for me to proceed.

Good, maybe she won't argue with me like Smitty. That'd be a pleasant change.

"I appreciate you coming with to retrieve Smitty, but I did not approve of the way you handled yourself. I understand that you come from a powerful family and that you're not used to being underneath someone, but you do not belittle me in front of my people even if those people are your husband. That is not how things work around here. If you would be one of my men there would have been a punishment." I gave her a hard look, showing my seriousness of the situation. All it took was something like her defiance to reveal a weak side of me to my people. Something like that could lead to anarchy and defiance. People took advantage of weaknesses and although my people seemed proud to have me as their leader I knew that some didn't approve of me. I couldn't allow that to be an issue.

"Then punish me." She leaned forward, brow arched, daring me to go forth.

Damn it! I should have known she'd have some of Smitty's cockiness in her.

Staring at her, my eyes narrowed. I didn't like the way she was testing me. "I'm willing to look past it and forgive you, but I don't want it happening again."

Her features tightened, an annoyed smile teasing her lips. "I'm married to your second in command. I may as well be one of your soldiers, O'Sullivan. Treat me like it."

She has a fucking point.

"I'm extending you forgiveness due to your position within my people. Do not test me, Joanna." My voice hardened, leaning forward as I folded my hands on my wide, dark cherry wood desk. I hadn't picked the piece of furniture out, but I sure as hell approved of it. The darkness reminded me of power, and like a man picked it out. Not everything could be as clean and pristine as the modern world was bringing forth, sometimes things had to be dark and old school. I liked it.