Page 11 of Illicit Temptation

“You know what? I don’t have time for a man who makes deals with African crime lords for his diamond mines, but can’t get a wife to agree to his divorce terms.” I point. “Get the fuck out. I’m done with you.”

His eyes flare with anger. “No one talks to me that way. Not even a spoiled cunt with murderers for brothers.”

I slap him across the face for the cunt comment. Not about my brothers, because, yeah, theyaremurderers. But so are his.

It happens so fast, Archer raises his hand to me, but the sound of a gun clicking drags red wild eyes to a long steel barrel hovering less than a foot from Archer’s head.

“Touch a fucking hair on her head andyoudie,” Trace Quinlan says from behind me.

Oh my God! Where the hell did he come from?

Archer wisely lowers his hand. “Do you know who I am, punk?”

“Archer Crest,” Trace says, gun still cocked. “Those with blood on their hands shouldn’t dare raise them to a precious angel with a heart pure as white snowanda bodyguard who’s got more kills than hermurderousbrothers combined.”

Christ, how much did he hear? And he has more kills than my brothers? Even Lachlan?

Wow.

Wait, did Trace just sayhe’smy bodyguard?

Thisis who Lachlan sent to cover for Soren, who suddenly needed two days off?

There are so many reasons I don’t want Trace Quinlan guarding me. He’ll have me walking into walls, he’s so freaking gorgeous. That blue suit looks molded to his body.

Andit will come out that we’re married. Frig my life, it’s been hell these past three years keeping this secret.

That secret emboldened me when Archer and I made love, though, that Itoowas married to someone else. I didn’t have any memory of sex with Trace, I never had another orgasm with Archer. In fact, I’ve been unconsciously putting distance between us. And this is the result. He’s delaying the divorce. For all I know, he’s gotten back with his wife and thinks he can keep me as his side piece.

Nope. Not happening.

“You don’t scare me,” Archer hisses to Trace.

“Then let me tell you a little more about myself. I think I’ll change your mind.” Trace smiles and from inside his jacket, he takes out a silencer. His eyes stay on Archer as he mockingly screws it to the tip of his gun barrel. “My brother Rhys will help me cut up your body, and her brother Balor will wipe your existence from every public record. Even your own brothers will be scratching their heads questioning if you’ve been a mirage all forty miserable years of your pathetic life.” He steps closer to Archer, who reaches inside his own jacket.

Oh no...

Trace aims his gun at Archer’s crotch. “The name’s Quinlan. I pledged my loyalty to the O’Rourkes. I’mwilling to die for this lovely lass. Do you want to lose your cock over her?”

With Trace’s point-blank aim, Archer wisely drops his hands.

“This is another reason why you and I would never work,” Archer mutters boldly. Closing his jacket, he storms away, jamming my shoulder and knocking me off balance.

Trace catches me but lifts his gun again.

I step in front of him, stabbing his shirt with my fingernail, the tip hitting thick pecs. “Donotkill him.”

Trace’s lips snarl with that penetrating golden gaze right on me. “Step aside, princess.”

My chest heaves, thinking he’s just ignoring me. “Trace—”

Those ringed, tattooed fingers I remember land on my mouth, his face close to mine. “I’m not going to kill him.”

“He’s involved in the blood diamond trade. He has dangerous allies,” I argue and tug Trace’s jacket, sparks flying up my arm.

“I’m just as dangerous, and I consider your brothersmyallies. You know better than anyonethey’renot choir boys.” He grips my finger. “Where’s your wedding ring, wife?”

I snap my hand back. “We need to talk.”

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