Page 22 of Exposed

“Told you I crossed paths with Shaw. Does that not tell you enough?”

Dex shakes his head and throws a glance at one of the guards. “Leave us, but don’t go far.”

Like puppets being played on strings, the three men who ooze steroids make themselves scarce. It’s just my new fake fiancée, her half-brother, and me—the DEA agent who’s feeling more and more comfortable with Goldie pressed to my side with her ass in my hand.

“Your guards don’t know what you do for a living?” I ask.

Dex lifts his brows. “I don’t need my staff talking behind my back. What business do you have in common with Shaw?”

None of this is going the way it was supposed to. I was supposed to get in here long enough to make my way around and collect as many cell numbers as I can. The newest technology is small and portable. I didn’t intend to talk business with my number one target, but the closer I am to him the better.

I’m a human cell tower.

I can hear the bells now. Brax and Micah are down the road cashing in on cell numbers like they hit the jackpot in Vegas.

My wire will be live by Monday at noon if the judge is available.

“My equities company is international. Besides working in Miami, my headquarters are in Panama where I invest in private businesses throughout Central America. I don’t like anyone in my business, which means Wall Street is not my jam. I’m not risk averse, and if I had to guess, I pulled in ten times the amount of cash Shaw did for you last year. Not sure what more I need to say other than that.”

He started metaphorically drooling at the mention often times. All of a sudden Dex doesn’t give a shit that his sister is back on his turf, which she has as much right to as he does.

He tips his head. “You want to work for me?”

Goldie starts to shift away, so my hold on her tightens. “Fuck no. I don’t need you, but I am ready to move into South America. I want to invest in your interests in Colombia.”

His brows rise in disbelief. “You have the nerve to waltz into my domain and want part of my territory. Read the room, Armstrong. Do I look like I’m in need of venture capital?”

“Capital?” I shake my head. “No. But you do need a funnel. And that’s where I come in.”

Dex hikes a brow, and his curiosity gets the best of him. If Ihave my way, his words will be used against him in court. “You want to clean my money.”

I tip my head. “I’m good at what I do.”

“Daniel—” Goldie bites.

But I interrupt her by bringing my other hand up to frame the side of her face and stare into her dark eyes. I brush my thumb over her lips to shut her up. “Hang tight, baby. Two minutes, and we’ll be out of here.”

Her eyes flare.

Blood rushes to my dick.

“Let’s arrange a meeting. I don’t talk business where people are watching and listening,” Dex says.

I’m surprised this guy fits through doors as big as his head is. “I’d like that.”

“And bring your fiancée,” Dex adds, turning his dark glare back to Goldie. “Maybe this is a sign we can mend fences.”

I can’t stop her from talking this time. “I’m never going to mend anything when it comes to you.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” I interrupt and reach into my pocket to pull out the fake business card Tim had made for the occasion. “Call me. I’ll see if I can fit you in next week.”

“No one fits me in. If you want to do business with me, your schedule will be open.”

I let Goldie go but claim her hand tight in mine. We need to get the hell out of here. I have a feeling the woman has had enough. I pull out my cell and read my most recent text.

Brax – We’ve harvested enough numbers to keep us busy for the next two years. Get the hell out.

I lift my phone before sliding it back into my pocket. “If you’ll excuse us, I need to return a call.”

---