Page 37 of Sinful Blaze

Paris’s cleavage bounces with the force of her giggle. “Should I use the dictionary, or your definition?”

I hate that she has a point. Several months ago, my own version of “professionalism” would have my face buried in that same cleavage and her short skirt hiked up over her ass.

Unfortunately, it seems I created a monster. A succubus hungry for what I can’t and won’t give her, now that my child is growing inside someone else’s womb.

Ice shoots through my veins for a millisecond. What would’ve happened if I got Paris pregnant?

I’m not a religious man. But right now, I am praying my thanks to any god that’s listening that the worst-case scenario never came to life.

“Whichever helps you keep your job,” I drawl.

Paris giggles again and saunters her way out of my office, her rounded hips swaying side to side with every step of those sky-high stilettos. The only reason why I notice is because I want to make sure she does, in fact, actually leave my presence.

Which means I also manage to catch my brother smirking at me with a raised eyebrow.

“What.”

Mak shrugs not-so-innocently. “I’m just thinking. Take a shit or get off the pot, man.”

“The fuck?”

“Fuck her or fire her. But pick one.”

I snarl every curse word in Russian I can think of under my breath, which only makes my little brother chuckle.

“You want her?” I snap at him. “Have at her. Get her out of my hair.”

“Fuck no.” Mak makes a face and settles back into his favorite chair. “I prefer my woman to have more substance between the ears.”

I could defend Paris. She is, after all, a fairly competent assistant. I wouldn’t have hired her otherwise. But she’s also an outlet who was convenient when I needed something—rather, someone—to burn off my horniness.

Now, I can hardly stand her.

I’m pretty sure it’s mostly my own fault.

The door opens again and I’m about to tell Paris off when I see my sister’s familiar smile poke in. “Got a quick question for ya.”

“Fine.”

Sofi slides through the door and closes it behind her. But before she can voice her question, my phone buzzes and I grab it from the desk. “Hold the thought,” I order as I answer.

“Thought you should know about a schedule change,” Viktor, the vor I assigned to tail Daphne, reports. “She’s been consistent every day, but made a sudden outing this morning. We’re following her now.”

“Not to work?” I tell myself to calm the fuck down before I start jumping to conclusions.

“She’s off today. We had Lev call in as a prospective client and they told him she’d be back tomorrow. When he pressed for info, they just said she had a personal emergency.”

My heart leaps into my throat. “Is she okay? Is she hurt?”

“She seems fine.” I can hear the shrug in his voice. “But I thought you should know.”

“Good. Keep on her and let me know what happens.”

“Will do, pak—wait. We’re turning off here.”

I hold my breath. Sofi and Mak look at me expectantly.

Viktor clears his throat and readjusts the phone. “We’re across the street from an outpatient clinic. Looks like an OB-GYN. She’s getting out of her car now.”

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