Page 52 of Callahan's Haven

“Governor,” Duncan said, coming up behind him when the Minister was out of earshot. “I wanted to say my goodbyes.”

The governor met his eyes before glancing over Duncan’s shoulder toward where he’d left Sadik and his sister, and then back, hatred in his dark, gleaming gaze. “Yes. I understand you have a daughter at home waiting for you.”

“Yes, I do.”No thanks to you.“And I’m ready to be home.”

“I’m sure you are.” A slight grin played along the other man’s lips before he schooled his features. “I’m certain you’ve heard the sad news about Colonel Whitman by now.”

“No, but I’m sure you’ll tell me.”

“Poor man was stabbed to death not twenty minutes ago as he left his hotel for the airport.” He narrowed his gaze. “One should always be cognizant of their surroundings. You never know when some random act of violence might strike.”

“I’m seldom caught unaware, but thank you for the warning.”

The other man downed the rest of his champagne before setting the empty flute on the tray of a passing waiter. “I’m sure you are. But I feel certain you won’t fall prey to the same fate.” He tilted his head. “After all, you’re a different kind of man than the late Colonel Whitman. And you always manage to land on your feet.”

“Yes, I do.” Duncan fisted his hands while every imaginable way he could kill the other man ran through his mind. He wasthisclose to still causing an international incident. “Then we can agree this is a done matter.”

The governor nodded and sauntered away from him without a backward glance.

“Bastard,” Duncan muttered under his breath and then turned on his heel to make his way through the crowd of people. He had to get out of there, but he didn’t trust he was out of the woods yet. It wouldn’t surprise him to find himself being the victim of anotherrandommugging at any moment, so he kept his senses open to any sudden movement as he walked to the elevator and rode it to the ground floor of the luxury hotel. He made it outside and squinted in the sunlight while taking note of any elevated locations.

No scope reflections.

It had been too easy for him to leave, so he remained diligent until his car pulled up in front of him. He opened the door but faltered getting in when the scent of Devon’s perfume hit him. He peered inside to where her svelte body lounged in a relaxed pose against the other door—the gun in her hand pointing at him.

“Please get in, darling.”

He stepped inside and sat down beside her, his eyes never leaving hers as they rode in silence to a small landing strip several miles from the summit. The limo came to a stop near what looked like the same private jet he’d flown in on.

“Bizi birak,” Devon told the driver who exited on her command. “Duncan, Duncan, Duncan.” She shook her head and let out a slight laugh. “You should have done what we asked.”

“Why? Haven’s safe.”

“For now,” she said with a grin.

“Whitman’s gone. There’s no reason to play this out.”

“Oh, but there is.” Devon’s face pinched as her hands squeezed the handle of her gun. “Whitman was a fool. And you, darling, are a loose end I need to be rid of before I return to the States and take care of a fewotherloose ends.”

The loose ends he had to assume included Haven and his team—perhaps others in their sphere. Duncan kept his expression mild. Devon was no fool and he’d have to play this smart. He relaxed into his seat and laughed. “Tell me something.”

Devon raised a brow and motioned with the gun for him to continue.

“Does The Cooperative know how good you actually are? Because I have to tell you, not many people can fool me.” He shook his head. “I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming, so you should congratulate yourself.”

“Well,” she said, moving in close and sticking the gun in his side. “It helps The Cooperative is run by a bunch of men who have a heightened sense of their own self-worth and level of intelligence. They never considered I’m the smartest among them. Their egos couldn’t take it. And, of course, you were such a good fuck, it wasn’t a hardship.”

Devon didn’t flinch as he ran his arm behind her head. “You know you don’t have to do this.” The gun at his ribs pressed harder. “We have a connection, you and me, and it’s something we should continue to explore.”

“We both know you were finished with me last night.” She side-eyed his arm blanketing her before her cool gaze met his. “So, you’re not going to seduce your way out of this.”

“Okay.” He gripped her hair and she gasped. “But for the sake of all those great fucks, at least give me one last kiss.”

Devon licked her parted lips while her heating gaze held his. “I’m not falling for it, darling.”

But she was. He could see it in her eyes before she lifted herself into him, her mouth meeting his in a frenzy of heat and lust—her kiss growing wilder when he twisted her hair in his fist and pulled it tight just the way she liked it.

Duncan moaned into her mouth as their tongues tangled, while the fingers of his free hand dug into her breast. Devon enjoyed the bite of pain when it came to foreplay, so he made sure she got it—twisting and pinching her hardening nipples through the fabric of her blouse and bra until she strained against him

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