Chapter 16

Clara Kane crossed her legs, beaming up at Bruce.

"Weren't they just fantastic, Bruce?" she gushed, her pale blond hair swept back from her forehead as she fanned herself, "Oh I have to call daddy and tell him everything."

There was a sigh from Bruce who now stood opposite the young heiress, looking not at all satisfied.

"Professionally," He began, "I would prefer that we wait until they're at least a half of the way done with the decorations and organizations before I would get so excited about them."

There was a sly smile forming on Kane's slender lips, "Oh? Professionally, hm?"

Bruce prickled up, his face slowly morphing into a frown, "Yes, professionally. As we are to deal with these people of course."

"Of course," Kane purred, her eyes laughing, "that definitely is. And you were oh so professional today!"

There was a restrained glare from Bruce, "I was professional today. I always am."

"I'm not doubting your words!" Kane leaned forward, her face full of glee, "But I witnessed something so interesting today."

Bruce's face was slowly going pink.

"I've never seen you do this in my life! It was so funny, but I was sooo in shock when I saw it, Bruce."

Bruce's voice was rather quiet when he spoke, his eyes not meeting the heiress' at all, "Whatever are you talking about?"

Clara Kane lay back into her chair, enjoying seeing Bruce so uncharacteristically uncomfortable. But he had been so untypical that morning.

"So, Bruce, you weren't flirting with the pretty Ms. Dearcroft today?"

Bruce coughed loudly, a rather sudden sound as his face sobered and he shot her a hot glare, "I was not, in fact, flirting?"

Kane's eyebrows flew up and she took an innocent tone to her voice, "Oh? Oh, you were not?"

"No," Bruce cleared his throat, realizing how strained he was sounding, "No, Ms. Kane, I was not."

Clara Kane shook her head, laughing. Her pale blond hair was flying around elegantly and her fingers steepled together as she rested her chin on them.

"Bruce, I've never seen you flirt before! It was such a good try, I must say!"

"I don't know what you're on about."

"Why didn't I see this before? When did you get attracted to her? I must know!" Laughter from the pretty lady.

"You have a meeting in ten minutes. We must review."

"She is quite cute, I must say. Gorgeous actually. Such a great body too. The colours she chose to wear rather suit her."

Bruce paused what he wanted to say as his mind visualized Sasha Dearcroft again before he angrily shoved the thought from his head, "Ms. Kane," He sounded serious again and Clara stopped laughing, "They are here for business and so are we. I of all people cannot and will not pursue Ms. Dearcroft in any way. I am certain I was just ensuring there were no hard feelings between her and I, after I interrupted her so suddenly at the beginning of the meeting. They are here to organize your party and I am here to make certain they are evicted the moment their work doesn't reach the standard we have for the Kane name. No more of these attempts by you to distract me from my work. This is Adonis Kane's order to me, and nothing will stop me from carrying out my task."

--

"Adonis!"

A regal man walked through the opulently furnished parlour.

Adonis rose from where he sat, waiting for the older man to approach.

"Hello, father."

The older Kane walked to his son and gave him a firm handshake before sinking into a chair opposite him, "I haven't seen you all month! Did you miss me?"

Adonis' face warmed, an expression not many saw, "Apologies, father. I've been a bad son."

The chairman made a noise of fury, "A bad son? You? I wouldn't forgive anyone who said that of you, now! Don't jest!"

Adonis nodded with a warm smile, "I am sorry though. I shouldn't have neglected to see you for so long that you've had to call me yourself."

The chairman waved his hand dismissively, "That's not it, son. I know you've been busy. I get reports, you know?"

A waited walked over steadily and placed drinks in front of each man and a large dessert stand of small cakes and muffins.

"I know," Adonis waited until the attendant left and only two of his men stood by the door, "I know, father. Now, how have you been?"

"How have you?" the chairman's eyes twinkled with pride as they assessed the young man in front of them.

Adonis Kane was a strapping male with a stunningly handsome face. He had piercing eyes and dark, silky hair slicked back. His black clothes tried in vain to keep his tan, muscled body hidden from view. A small dangle of diamonds hung from one of his ears.

"I have been well, of course," Adonis smiled.

The chairman frowned.

"You cleared out the Hangers and Lengells in one go, I heard?"

There was a small pause, "They had it coming to them."

The chairman nodded.

Adonis' voice was low as always, his tone smooth, "Father, I know you did good business with them in the past but-"

The chairman waved Adonis' words away, "The past is the past, Adon. I've heard of how secretly these two gangs have been after our power. I was hoping they wouldn't gang up against us with how absolutely beastly they can be together, but I suppose I was wrong to be scared. You cleaned them up so quickly, it's put a fear in the hearts of our other rivals."

The chairman's face was beaming with pride, even a small tear forming in the corner of his eyes.

Adonis smiled, again something he did very rarely with what his work was and how often he found no real cause for joy.

"Now," the chairman's voice was gruff as he swallowed the emotion, "Tell me, have I burdened you too much with this responsibility? Please appease your father and tell him you've been able to let loose from time to time? Is there a lady in your life yet, Adonis? Someone you've met like I met your mother?"

"I'm afraid I must disappoint, father," Adonis' smile was still on his lips, "I have only the month ahead a little free of work. Usually, I have no civilians I see at all. The only people I see are the people who work for me and the people who work for other mafia organizations."

"Someone in our mafia perhaps?" The chairman's face was falling, "I met your mother when she joined as a young agent in our very own organization, and I was training to take over the whole gang. You know how we fell in love, Adon."

His father's eyes were misty again, "She was wonderful, and the hard years spent building this empire up were bearable only because of her."

Adonis nodded, "I know, father. Someone within our own organization is best."

Memories of an hour ago danced in Adonis' mind.

Memories of a beautiful blond girl falling straight into his chest.