Page 20 of Courting Danger

I had never cared about fish, but it was endearing to watch the small creatures gather near Alex’s finger to investigate the movement.

“Do you like fish?”

“Sort of.” Alex left the small tank behind and headed farther into the building. “Mostly, I like the atmosphere in these kinds of places. It’s soothing. Like being under water without needing to swim.”

“If you like it so much, we’ll have to come back when someone isn’t trying to kill you.”

The words were out of my mouth before I could think them through. I schooled my face into a blank mask to keep from blushing.

How could I be so presumptuous?

At the end of the day, the two of us were employer and bodyguard. Nothing more. Sure, we slept together, but satisfying physical needs did not equate to an emotional connection.

Luckily, Alex didn’t take offense. If anything, the man’s smile grew wider.

He bumped his hip against me. “Careful. That almost sounded like you were asking me on a date.” Despite the warning words, Alex’s tone and the soft look in his eyes were clear invitations.

Taking a risk, I hooked one finger in Alex’s belt loop and pulled the other man closer. “Keep yourself alive and we’ll see what happens.”

If we were alone, they would have kissed. However, Valente remained only a few steps behind, so we parted just enough to maintain public decency.

That didn’t stop Alex from grumbling under his breath. “Ugh. Fuck this meeting.”

From what I had understood based on overheard phone calls, Alex had been the one to set up the meeting. Curious, I couldn’t help but ask, “Is this meeting really necessary?”

We passed by a large cylindrical tank full of floating jellyfish. Each of us stepped to a different side of the cylinder so we were divided by clear walls of glass and water.

Moving currents distorted Alex’s face like a mirage, but the heavy sigh he expressed was unmistakable.

“Unfortunately, yes. My family has worked with these two for a long time. I need to establish myself with them if I’m going to be in charge of things while my father is indisposed.”

Between them, dozens of jellyfish glowed in the colored light shining from above. Their boneless forms drifted in circles, slaves to the gentle current of their environment.

Luckily, although the tank was tall, it wasn’t very wide. The two of us passed by the barrier quickly and came together once again.

I let my pinky brush the side of Alex’s hand in an almost invisible show of support. “If you can’t avoid it, then let’s get it over with. Go in there, make your presence known, and then we can do something more entertaining afterward.”

Even in the dim light of the aquarium, Alex’s eyes smoldered like twin coals as they traveled up and down my body.

“I think I made a mistake hiring you. How am I supposed to concentrate when you’re putting thoughts in my head?”

I didn’t bother responding. We both knew Alex was being rhetorical, but it was thrilling to think that just a few words from me could distract the other man to such a degree.

At the far back of the aquarium, we found the largest tank in the building. The size of a three-story house, it had a completely black backdrop with only jagged rocks and sand for decoration. Dozens of sharks swam through the open water, slipping in and out of the shadows.

Rows upon rows of benches sat before the main wall of the tank, stacked like an auditorium. Signage on the wall advertised the area as a stage for underwater shows.

Two people waited right in front of the tank.

A man stood near the clear wall, watching the underwater predators with genuine interest. He was tall and thin, with an olive complexion similar to Alex. However, his blond hair spoke of mixed heritage.

A woman sat on the lowest row of benches. Her harsh bob haircut and sharp cheekbones made her look like the human embodiment of a knife. Even her nails, which she tapped impatiently on the bench, were blood red and filed to sharp points.

When Alex stepped into the room, both the man and woman turned toward him with such synchronized movements it seemed rehearsed.

I hung back at the edge of the benches as Alex approached the pair. From this distance, I couldn’t hear what they said but I was glad to see confidence flowing through Alex with every step.

It was one less thing to worry about.

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