Page 13 of Ruthless Oath

Milo smirked. “She made you cookies.”

“No, I bought him cookies,” Lissia said. “I don’t bake.”

“Of course you don’t,” I muttered.

She moved closer to Milo and lifted the lid on the box. “Do you want a cookie, Milo?”

She kissed my brother’s cheek, and he rested his hand on the small of her back. A knot formed in my chest, and a possessive need to stake my claim took hold of me.

That wouldn’t be good for any of us.

“I’d love one.” Milo took a cookie from the box. “Thank you.”

“Maybe I didn’t make them,” she said. “But I did wait thirty minutes in a long line. These cookies are very popular.”

Did she want a medal?

“That was really thoughtful of you.” Milo glanced at me. “Wasn’t it, Marchello?”

“Don’t you have paperwork to file?” I asked. “The faster you get the claims in, the better for the dealership.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me?” He bit into his cookie.

“Get out.” I pointed to the door. “I’ll catch you in a bit.”

“In ten minutes?” He laughed on his way out, closing the door behind him.

“He’s adorable.” Lissia set the box of cookies on the desk before coming face-to-face with me. Like she had last night, she rested her hands on my chest and kissed my cheek.

“Don’t flirt with my brother,” I said.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“I heard your ridiculous request, but I’m not going to listen to it. If you think saying hello to Milo is flirting, you don’t get out that much.”

I gazed down at her, trying to keep my composure. I wasn’t sure if I was mad that she was so bold or aroused that she was this close.

“How are you today?” She ran her hands along my shoulders.

“I’m well, and you?” I stepped away from her, creating some distance, because I didn’t like being off-balance. But even with some distance, the strawberry smell still radiated from her.

“I got my nails fixed.” She held her hand up in front of me and wiggled her fingers to show off her light-purple manicure.

“All is right in the world.”

“The showroom floor is back to normal.” She sat on the edge of the desk, crossing her beautifully toned legs. “Did you work all night to put it back together?”

“My crew did.”

“It looks fantastic.” She rested her hand on her thigh. “You would never know there was a shooting here. Well, except that it is all over social media and it was the top story on the news this morning.”

“The reporters have been hanging around outside all day.” I wanted to have security toss them off the property, but Lucas, my attorney, said that would only create more problems for us.

“That’s annoying.” She slid off the desk. “I guess that’s why Michael didn’t let me come through the front. He probably thought I’d want to give an interview or something.”

“Don’t even think about it.”

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