Ties That Bind by Elizabeth Blair

wouldn't stand out in a crowd where he obviously felt uncomfortable. But it was the beads of sweat, the way the man repeated glanced over his shoulder and toward the front door that told Mitch something wasn't right. No family would be stupid enough to try a hit here in the Vinettis own hotel, they'd never make it out alive. Which meant there was only one thing he could be and Mitch's stomach burned with fury as he realized what was about to happen.
    He waved to Teddy just as he began a quick pace toward Ashli. He could feel Jimmie stepping in line beside him. Jimmie had felt it too...the edge in the air indicating something wasn't right. He just didn't have the knowledge that Mitch had to be able to figure it out.
    “Teddy, get to the front door. Accept the warrant, we've got nothing to hide.” He stopped mid-stride, realizing he was ordering around one of Jimmie's employees. “Sorry, Jimmie-”
    But Jimmie waved him off. “Go.”
    When they reached Ashli, she was giggling like a teenager, draping herself against the guy. Mitch didn't hesitate before wrenching her away. “Get in the elevator.”
    “Mitch-” she looked torn between anger and fear.
    It was impossible to control his fury. He wasn't so much angry with her as he was the IOC. That they would drop in on Vinetti without giving him a heads up. Hell, he'd met with Mike mere hours ago. They'd had plenty of time to pass the word but had chosen not to. Sure, the search of Sonny's place meant they were next – everyone knew that – but he didn't like being blind-sided by anyone. Unable to control the rage, his fist plowed into the nondescript guy she was with. Before he could lift him off the floor to hit him again, a flurry of Vinetti security was surrounding them and taking him on themselves. He whirled on Ashli, his eyes daring her to argue as he punched the elevator back open again and, placing his hand on her waist, shoved her into the car. Jimmie, one hand in his pocket, leaned against the car as the doors slid shut, waiting for answers. Instead, Mitch towered above Ashli, making her back into a corner as far away from him as possible.
    “I told you never again. Never.”
    “Mitch, no, I-”
    “Do you think I'm an idiot?  Teddy's down accepting the warrants as we speak.”
    Ashli shook her head, realization dawning. “No, no. I had no idea-”
    “Fuck whoever you want, Ashli, but I told you not to ever bring a fed into this building again. I will not be a part-”
    “Mitch, I swear!  God, I swear!  He asked me to dance. That's it!  Other than you and Jimmie he was the only guy willing to dance with me all night.”
    “And that wasn't enough to give you pause?” Jimmie asked, eyeing them both. “Who else would be stupid enough to try and make a move on you with both of us present?”
    “Have you ever considered that someone might not give a shit and might actually find me attractive?” she hissed. “I'm not a damn doll you can put up in a display case, Jimmie.”
    Mitch growled. “This isn't about you!  For chrissakes, Ashli, you sit behind a fucking desk all day and deal with accounts. It's not you who's in jeopardy by bringing feds in here and you damn well know it. Probation for doctoring accounts isn't shit.”
    “Mitch, please-”
    He stormed off the elevator as soon as the doors slid open, not caring if either of them followed. He couldn't deal with this. He'd been straddling these two worlds for years now. Giving the IOC only the needed information and no details about how he went about getting them was what had kept him above reproach. If the IOC didn't know what he engaged in then they could hold nothing over his head. It was what made him different than every other agent they had. There was no way he was going to let his own life be put in jeopardy because she let his actions slip in the bedroom and the news got back to the IOC. He wouldn't allow them to have some illegal deed hanging over his head so they could order him around