Page 20 of The Lieutenant

“I don’t think that will be necessary.”

He laughed. “Are you telling me you’re finally going to use those feminine wiles of yours on a male subject?”

“Very funny. He’s a pompous pig who thinks his shit doesn’t stink.”

“I’ve heard you say that before and the next week, you moved in with the guy.”

Hissing, I was forced to close my eyes to block out the ugly visions. “That was several years ago when I was young and stupid. And do not say it!”

“Not saying a thing, girl. When are you due back?”

“Remember, I’m supposedly headed to Sicily first. Speaking of which…” I allowed the words to drop off.

“Still working on it. It seems the Cosa Nostra are under the impression the article is really a guise for plotting with the international police.”

“Ha. They wish they could be that famous.” I toyed with wearing my hair in an even tighter bun on purpose, but I had a headache at this point.

And it had Havros’ name all over it.

I’d raced into two shops, desperately trying to remember what little I’d learned in Greek, making an absolute fool of myself doing so. At least a kind, older customer had told me in simple words that almost everyone spoke at least minimal English. If only I’d had time to do all the research I should have done.

For once, I’d jumped at the chance of meeting with a criminal organization, taking the bull by the horns, as my father would tell me. Maybe doing so had been foolish, but Jacob had tried unsuccessfully for almost a year to talk with Dimitrios. When the Greek Boss had finally taken Jacob’s call, I’d become more determined to make myself known and to force the man to talk with me.

Oh, yeah. I had balls.

Now I felt like a scared kitty cat from the thought of going on a date with such an enigmatic man as Havros. Ugh, ten times over.

“Just keep me updated. When are you going to have the first pages? I’d like to read them over.”

“You’re not my editor.”

“I need to know how damaging the article might be in case I need to develop a plan.”

I glared down at the phone. “What plan?”

“You know, to find someone to rescue you from the bowels of hell where one of the Nomikos clan might shove you.”

“Very funny. I’ll be fine. I’ve done this before.”

“On home turf, girl. And remember, you almost found yourself in a dangerous moment.”

I rolled my eyes and fluffed my hair, twisting and turning so I could catch sight of both sides of the dress. Yes, it looked damn good. “It was a misunderstanding, nothing more.”

“Having a weapon shoved in your face is more than a misunderstanding.”

“Jacob. I appreciate your concern, but you’re my agent, not my protector.”

“I feel like I should be.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I spritzed on a little perfume, chiding myself for doing so. Did I really think this was an actual date? The deal was strictly based on business needs. Maybe I could drown him in Obsession.

He sighed, but didn’t answer.

“Jacob.” My agent had once lived a former life doing exactly what my father continued to do. He’d been a US Marshal, forced to choose another career after killing an innocent bystander. He’d been cleared of any wrongdoing, but the death had affected him tremendously. Thankfully, he’d gone into opening a celebrity agency firm. Not that I was a celebrity by any means, but given he’d known my father, he’d taken me on as a client without hesitation.

I’d forever be grateful for his support, his constant concerns, and his usual fatherly pushes. My dad also trusted him implicitly not to place me in harm’s way. I had a bad feeling my father would be miffed I hadn’t told him I’d be leaving the country.

“I made some inquiries to some old sources of mine,” he finally answered.

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