Page 134 of Princess Avenged

“How did you snag me?” I ask. “Was it that tasty human I had for my midnight snack?”

“Yeah.” Diederik laughs. “You should be more careful what you eat. DEFTA has plenty of safe blood sources, if you’d join?—”

“Why am I here?” No way am I joining DEFTA.

“I just want to talk.”

“If you’re that desperate for a fuck—” I leer at Diederik “—you could have just asked.”

“Asshole.” Diederik leans back against the table.

“What did you give me?” I ask. The woman didn’t taste like garlic.

“Colloidal silver,” Diederik answers, like the predictable Bond villain he is. “We gave her a transfusion, and as soon as you started to fade, one of my team injected more silver straight into your jugular.”

He looks so fucking proud of himself, and I suppose he has a right to be, but there’s no chance I’ll ever let something like that happen again, no matter how gorgeous and tasty the morsel that’s dangled in front of me. No shortage of fish in the sea.

But…silver in my veins? No wonder I’m so groggy and thirsty. How long have I been here?

I slouch back in the chair, folding one leg up over the side and slinging my arm over its back, as if the uncomfortable interrogation furniture is a plush easy chair. “Come on Ricky. Spill. Why am I really here? Surely you’re not that desperate to fuck me.” I adjust my package, delighted to get a reaction from Diederik. The homophobe is so predictable.

The robot, on the other hand, hasn’t moved a muscle since he arrived in my eyesight.

I turn my attention to him. “Ruben was it?” I say knowing full well I’ve got the name wrong.

His back goes even stiffer. “Zuben.”

“And what do you do for this lovely crime syndicate, Ruben?”

He blinks. First sign of emotion. “DEFTA is not a crime syndicate and, as Diederik already informed you, I head up the Research and Compliance departments.” His eyes are alert, full of interest.

And…I hate to admit it, this Zuben dude is beyond handsome.

I prefer to be the prettiest male in the room. Plus, so far I’ve failed to ruffle his cool demeanor. I may have underestimated the robot.

“Compliance.” I nod, leering at him. “That’s secret code for BDSM, right? Kinky.” I wink. Maybe the same buttons will work with him as with Diederik.

“No.” He backs up a step and shifts his tablet to the other hand. “If you must know, I oversee and conduct research and other investigations related to DEFTA’s interests.”

“What kind of investigations?” I ask casually, small talk.

“This particular matter relates to finance.”

“Numbers guy.” I yawn. “Figures.”

I get a reaction—finally—a small adjustment of his shoulders, and his chin tips up a fraction of an inch. He did not like being called boring. And when I find someone’s buttons, I’m like a toddler with a remote.

I smirk. “Bean counter. Pencil pusher. Figures.” I raise my fist to my mouth and fake cough. “Nerd.”

Not getting the reaction I hoped for, I push the button again. “Women must find you fascinating, Ruben. I bet you know all the prime numbers.”

The right edge of his mouth lifts just a little. “Are you asking me for romantic advice?” he asks. “If so, I would recommend staying away from listing prime numbers on a first date. And if that was a joke, it was blatantly sexist. Many women are interested in finance and science.”

“Good to know.” It’s interesting that he brought up science when that wasn’t even on the table. I file that away too.

“Ryker.” Diederik draws my attention. “If you’re done trying to provoke Zuben—good luck with that, by the way—it’s time to get on with the interrogation. I don’t have all day.”

“Neither do I. Places to go, people to drink.” I turn toward Zuben and scan his body with the most salacious look I can muster. “Ruben and I can continue our flirtations later.” I lean forward. “He already seems plenty…stiff.”

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