Page 21 of To Catch A Rook

Kellan’s relaxed demeanor immediately shifted into one of commanding control.

“What doyouknow about Alvarez?”

He cocked his head in the way arrogant men do when they were used to compliant subordinates carrying out their bidding. His arms folded across his chest once again in a defiant stare-down.

“Not enough,” I admitted. “But if he’s coming into our territory, I need to know more.” I assessed quickly while considering the various scenarios where Kellan could become an ally in my silent war instead of a critical bystander. I didn’t want to work with the man—I couldn’t see any scenario where either of us would make it out of a partnership alive—but I’d be willing to trade information for favors, if that’s what it took.

He leveled a chilly gaze at me. “I’m not helping you carry out your crusade, kitten.”

It was as if he’d read my mind. My eyes narrowed in suspicion. “Are you keeping tabs on me, Kellan?”

“No more than you’re keeping tabs on me.” His tone was flippant, filled with the irritation in his eyes. “You’re playing a dangerous game, Hillary. If I thought forcing you to stop would work, I would have done it long ago. I’m glad Sammy can keep an eye on you.”

The licking fires of betrayal filled my vision and I turned a furious stare onto my supposed loyal trainer and hired torturer.

“Shall I strip you of your cock too, Sammy? I’ve been studying your technique. I’m sure I could make it as painful as you do.”

Sammy subtly winced and shifted position to shield his pelvis. His stoic expression barely changed, but he held up his rough hands in a surrender gesture.

“Kellan came to me a few years ago,Ojitos,for an entirely different reason. You were training that day, and he said he knew you. I have had nothing to do with his, uh”—he paused, an amused smirk danced along his lips, despite my threat—“surveillance. Alvarez has been causing problems in”—he briefly glanced at Kellan, as if asking permission. The man didn’t move. Then Sammy met my gaze and his expression turned serious. “Otherareas.”

Kellan grunted, but did not move a muscle from his position next to Sammy. The two men held themselves in relaxed postures despite their assessing stares, clearly awaiting my next move.

Wise. Given that I wanted to take off both of their heads, and thanks to Sammy’s training, I had a pretty sound idea of how to do just that.

“Yourstalkingaside.” I spat out the word before reining in my anger. “If you have more information on Alvarez, I need to hear about it. Is it Alejandro or his sons?”

“No.” The blond barbarian king grew to his full height before me, his stance becoming that of the Colombian Commando, Antonio’s brutal soldier and heir. “Not happening, Hill. I can’t protect you on all fronts on this one. I’ve kept Antonio away from the flesh trade as best I can here. That’s all I can do.”

Fuck this man. We weren’t a couple; we weren’t evenlovers. We were occasional fuck buddies. Nothing more. He had no right over my decisions, my whereabouts, or my empire—the legal OR the less-than-legal operations.

I would beg for him to dominate me in the bedroom, but that was where it ended.

I drew in a steady breath before erupting like a volcano. “For the last goddamn time, Kellan, I don’tneedyour protection. Either help me find him, or fuck off.”

An icy, bitter fury flooded the brooding man’s features. He dipped his head to Sammy, turned on his heel, and stalked off toward the front entrance doors.

“Coward!” I shouted after him. The blood in my veins bubbled over to boiling as he retreated. He didn’t even spare me a glance. The heavy door slammed back into place and his violent energy dissipated into the stale gym air.

“I will help you find him.” Sammy’s determined tone interrupted my mounting fury. “We will find him,Ojitos.”

He placed a tentative hand against my back in a rare gesture of comfort. I allowed it as my emotions wrestled within my body.

Kellanwouldhelp me take out Alvarez. No, rephrase.Iwould helphim. Evidently, the ballsy man was wreaking havoc in other areas of the criminal underworld, if Kellan was hunting him down too.

The game was set, the race was on. I justhad to get to Alvarez first.

America was a funny place. Near impossible to get a decent pint to put a few hairs on your chest, but you could buy a cuppa dirt from every street corner that would give you gorilla pecs after a few sips.

I poured out the white paper cup of filth into a random planter and continued strolling through the busy downtown streets of the new city I called home.

Pretty nondescript as far as cities went. Buildings. Trees. Stressed-out looking people racing to their next stressful thing. I’d never admit it to Ma, but I missedthe heritage buildings and centuries-old architecture she used to yammer on about every time she visited Dublin.

Odd for me to be nostalgic, considering I preferred to go after shiny things. America was very shiny.

I’d set my sights on two particularly shiny things. One of them was about to go into the upscale smoothie bar in the building across from her condo this very minute.

I watched the tempting little blondie walk across the street as if she owned it. She wore a tight blue skirt and white blouse like she’d just come from filming my favorite office porn scenario. Difference being,shewas the boss and I was the whining little secretary offering up my body to be used for her pleasure.

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