Page 84 of Royal Pain

I opened my eyes wide. “That’s risky and dangerous.”

“Don’t worry, babe. You forget the kind of people we’ve done business with our entire lives.”

“And don’t think these people are like anything you’ve ever dealt with. They can smile and stab you at the same time.”

“I understand.”

God, I hoped he did.

I’d never seen him look so concerned before. And I’d seen more emotions crossing his face in a few days than likely he’d wanted me to see. We stood staring at each other for about a full minute. At times no words were needed.

I touched his face first, barely brushing the tips of my fingers across his stubbled cheek. It was fascinating how a three-day shadow could accentuate a man’s chiseled face.

He was rubbing my arms, his eyes darting back and forth. I could tell there were things he wanted to say, maybe additional reminders he wanted to provide but he smiled instead. “Okay. I’m going to change and you’re going to select ice creams before they all melt all over the counter.”

I glanced at the cartons and noticed the condensation. “Oops.”

His laugh was boisterous, even if it was for effect. Still, he popped me on the butt for emphasis before backing away and heading out of the room.

There was no reason for me to start shaking as violently as I did, but not only was there a sudden rush of adrenaline, my fear was palpable, my mouth dry. Only a few times had I experienced terrible sensations, those in my mind that were more about envisioning the future or knowing when something bad wasgoing to happen. I wasn’t counting the horrible time spent with Joseph.

Other than the primal hunt.

I held out my arms, staring at my shaking hands. I was a very strong woman, but if all this horror was based on me alone, I wouldn’t give a shit if the man I was… falling for turned into a murderer. That wasn’t something I’d admit to anyone but that’s the way I felt.

Placing my child’s life in danger didn’t just place a final red flag on Joseph’s character; it was the kind of thing where I could slice with a knife or pull the trigger on a gun without hesitation or question of my sanity or morality.

Damien was a sweet boy who hadn’t deserved to be born into such a freak show. Some might say I was to blame but I’d also been fooled by my parents. I’d tried to ignore that fact for so long that pretending had been normal. One day I’d need to figure out why I allowed that to happen. For now? I had to place even more trust in a man who by all rights should have ignored the woman who had a plea for help.

But he’d stepped up to the rescue, becoming a real hero in a sea of fake assholes. And how sad and maybe scary that I really just wanted him to become a mercenary.

I laughed and grabbed a couple of cartons of ice cream. Everything in life had become surreal.

Including ice cream and sprinkles.

Gage

Ice cream.

I used to love it as a kid. Mom had a favorite little ice cream store she’d take all three of us to starting when I was very young. I’d never forget both Valerio and Braxton making fun of something so childish. But I’d never seen them so happy as the moment sugar cones were placed in their hands.

I stood just outside my office door, listening to the sound of the waves, the high tide allowing them to sweep further up on the beach from the bright moon’s pull. I had a drink in my hand, although by now I was certain it was watered down to whatever degree a single ice cube could cause.

While I’d anticipated a couple of days before if we went through with this operation Evangeline would want to go, and it was only fair to allow her to do so, I was more worried than I’d let on. There were too many odd obstacles with this. It wasn’t like any mission I’d heard about. This wasn’t a battle with an enemy over who made the best offer for a job or who provided the kind of wealth management services that clients simply couldn’t ignore.

And for all the scuffles and fights I’d engaged in over the years, including with wealthy men, I’d anticipated their movements and harsh slurs from across the room before anything physical had occurred.

Ruthless but not killers.

The three Royal boys had been teased about that given some of our actions had bordered on mafia type behavior.

That would change as of tomorrow. I was certain of it.

I felt a presence and not only did I stiffen, I placed my hand on my weapon.

“Relax, boss. Two of my men just canvassed the outer perimeter. I’ve checked my contacts and the dark web. It’s still quiet.”

“I don’t like quiet. I have a bad feeling that just won’t go away.” For some reason, it seemed sweltering tonight, or maybe I was just more anxious than usual. The walk on the beach in bare feet with ice cream cones in our hands, the light breeze blowing through our hair had been wonderful and would have been the best thing in the world except…

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