Page 20 of Lethal Legacy

I did warn her that my methods of punishment were twisted.

Lucia Lopez is about to find out just how true that is.

6

LUCIA

“Icannot go up there.”

The sun is gleaming down outside, but I’m as oblivious to the glorious spring weather as I am to the throng of tourists already clamoring for breakfast. All I can think about is the text message I received from Roman last night.

“And he didn’t give you any idea about what this offer is?” Abby takes the coffees I’ve just made. “Nothing like,Make sure you wear a hot bra and no panties so I can get my hands into your tiny shorts again, Miss Lopez?Or maybeI have a severe case of blue balls that only you can relieve, Miss Lopez?”

My glare only makes Abby laugh.

The truth is, I haven’t got a clue what he wants.

I’m not certain what I thought might happen when I fled Roman’s office, fixing my clothes as I went, to the low sound of his amused chuckle behind me. But three days of deafening silence and Roman’s notable absence from my coffee machine had sent what I thought was a pretty clear message of disinterest. Until I received his message last night.

“I have no idea what he wants, or what his so-called offer is.” I get more milk as an excuse to bury my flaming head in the fridge.

It doesn’t help.

I feel like my entire body has been on fire for days.

“But after what happened last time, going up to his office is definitely not a good idea.”

“And like I told you the day it happened: it’s about time you got off, Luce. You know I’d never put up with you being pressured into anything, but you two have been eye fucking from the day he walked in. And you have to be missing the size of his... tips.”

For all Abby’s sarcasm, the last comment is, sadly, true. I’m so broke I almost wish I’d taken that damn envelope when I fled Roman’s office.

Almost.

“I hate to break it to you, chica, but it’s not just you who’s missing those tips. The kitchen boys have been literally paying their rent from delivering to the Stevanovsky apartment. And besides.” Abby shoots me a lascivious wink. “CEO Man’s bodyguard is my favorite piece of eye candy on the daily. Hot. I meansuperhot. And you can’t tell me,” she says, pausing to push coffees across the counter and ring them up, “that you aren’t into whatever kinky fuckery CEO Man pulled in his office. I saw you when you got back here.” She wags a finger at my crimson face. “You were barely able to stand up, let alone speak. Is there really any harm in going back for an encore?” She eyes the clock. “You’ve got fifteen minutes to make your mind up.”

Gah.Fifteen minutes.

No matter how many times Abby tells me there’s nothing wrong with what happened between Roman and me, I feel absolutely terrified to face him again. What am I supposed to do, just walk into his office and say, “I know the last time I saw you I screamed into your hand and all but begged you to fuck me senseless—but, hey. Howyoudoin’?”

I’m never getting those images out of my head. I’m pretty sure the entire experience will be seared on my brain forever.

And Abby knows me too well. Despite my absolute certainty that I should stay the hell away from CEO Man’s office for my own sanity, I spent the entirety of last night wondering if his offer might just involve some kind of repeat performance.

Surely not, if he’s avoided the café for days on end.

But what if it does?

I admit that I prepared for work today with a little more care than usual. There’s not much I can do about the uniform. But I’ve put my hair up properly. Added mascara, lip gloss, and nice earrings.

Oh, and I might also have spent a few euros I don’t officially have on an underwear set I definitely can’t afford.

Just in case.

“Earth to Lopez.” Abby clicks her fingers under my nose with a sly smile. “Clock’s ticking, chica.”

“I can’t face him, Abby.” But even I can hear the wavering tone in my voice.

“Be selfless. Think of your friend, who hasn’t been laid in almost a week and hasn’t even had her daily dose of bodyguard thirst trap.” She gives me lewd wink. “Unless Stevanovsky is chaining you up and using a whip, go and get our Hale business back.”

---