Page 9 of Ruthless Oath

As I turned away from him, he grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. This time, when my heart raced, it wasn’t from fear. His dark gaze burned into mine as he tightened his grip.

“Try again.” He let go of me.

“Try what again?”

“The gratitude.” He loosened his tie, revealing some of the ink sprawled along his neck. “For saving your life.”

“Thank you.”

I touched my throat, trailing my thumb to my lips and biting down when I thought about what the rest of his body looked like. Was his chest covered in tattoos? Would I ever get to see the six-pack abs I was certain were beneath that shirt?

“What’s got you so quiet all of a sudden?” He inched closer to me, dropping his gaze to my lips. “The next time you hear gunfire, your best bet is to take cover.”

“If it ever happens again, hopefully I’ll be with you.”

He brushed his fingers over my shoulder, and I swore the temperature in the room spiked. He traced a finger along my collarbone as he lowered his lips to mine.

Should I protest? Pretend I’m offended? Slap him? Give in? Let him kiss me?

“Lissia.” His warm, brandy-scented breath danced across my lips. “I don’t want to see you back at this dealership unless it’s to buy a car. Are we clear?”

“Hmm…” I tilted my head, pressing my heels into the floor and steadying myself. When he tucked my hair behind my ear, my stomach fluttered with anticipation. “You should know something about me.”

“I live for the fucking moment. Tell me.”

“I talk back.” I ran my fingers along his stubble-covered jaw, drawing his face closer to mine. “And I don’t listen.”

“I never would have guessed.”

“Marchello.” Milo tapped on the office door.

“What?” Marchello stepped away from me, and the door opened.

Poor timing, Milo!

“The police are here,” he said. “Most of our associates left before they arrived.”

“That’s a good thing.” Marchello adjusted his tie, covering all that glorious ink. “I don’t need them thinking they can’t do business here without getting caught up in a bullshit investigation.”

“Lucas is taking their questions, but they’re going to want to see you about the shooting.” Milo smiled at me. “Are you okay?”

“Thanks to your brother, I am.”

“Glad to hear it.” Milo winked.

Marchello stared between the two of us.

I said, “I can give a statement and let them know I was in the line of fire and Marchello did what he had to do.”

That should earn me some points.

“No.” Marchello glared at me. “You’re not getting involved.”

“I’m already involved.” And if his attorney and the police needed more information, I would have a reason to see him again. Although, I still wanted to buy the car. “You’re going to need my help.”

“It might help the interrogation go faster,” Milo said.

“I said no,” Marchello barked. “She’s not talking to the police.”

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