Page 42 of Lethal Legacy

That’s right,I think savagely.I did that. Nobody else. And more, besides.

“Take out the other paper in the envelope.” I watch as she pulls out the single sheet that shows photographs of the beachside villa conversion I’ve had an entire crew working on since late last night.

“A medical team will arrive at your motel in an hour.” I speak curtly to disguise the fierce rush of pride. “They will move the old man from the room next to yours into the villa you’re looking at. It’s within easy walking distance of your own and is fully equipped to manage his needs.”

“Juan.” I barely hear the small whisper, because her face is turned to the floor. “His name is Juan.”

“Juan, then.”

I’m quite certain that isn’t his name at all, but that’s fine. I’ll have his DNA soon enough.

“Any specialist care Juan requires will be arranged after he’s been properly assessed. You can help him settle in and meet the team yourself to make sure you’re satisfied. They’ve been hired by Hale,” I add. “Your name hasn’t been used. And they will call you, and your friend, by whatever name you tell them to. Hale people also handle the security there, so nobody enters or leaves without express permission. The medical team will be fully background checked.”

“Why—” Her voice cracks, and she lifts a trembling hand to her face. “Why are you doing all this?” She raises her face, and I realize, in horror, that she’s actually crying.

Oh, fuck no.

“Pull yourself together, Miss Lopez.”

I don’t do tears.

“This is a business arrangement. It’s my experience that people perform at their best when their time is free of distractions.”

“But this money.” She swipes her hand across her eyes and takes a shuddering breath, then another one. It’s actually pretty impressive, watching her regain control of herself. “The villa. You didn’t have to do any of this. Or take care of... Juan. I could have done it all with what you were already paying me.”

“And you would have been stressed out trying to take care of it all. This way my godchildren will have your undivided attention during the day—and I will have it at night.” I shrug. “It’s just good business, Miss Lopez.”

She’s still deathly pale, but now two hectic spots of red glow on her cheeks. “You cannot know what this means to me.” Her voice is shaking slightly, her body taut with inner tension. “I’m more grateful than I can ever tell you for what you have done. What you are doing,” she says quietly. “But I do wish you’d left... particular issues, for me to sort out alone.”

That pisses me off.

“I would imagine,” I snap, “that signing a lease would be difficult when you’re trying to stay under the radar.”

She stiffens. Her eyes narrow. “I thought you said you had no interest in my personal circumstances.”

“I didn’t. I don’t. But I do have a vested interest in ensuring that nothing interferes with the children’s schedule—or mine.” I don’t like the suspicion I can see in her eyes. They aren’t darting this way and that anymore. Instead, they’re watching me as if I’m a serpent about to strike. There’s no trace of the vulnerability of a moment ago. And even if I did intend to put her in her place, it still upsets me to see her retreat, to pull down that shield. More than anything, I want to break that wall down, see her entirely bared to me.

And I will.

But for now, I need to reset the power dynamic between us. At the same time, something tells me that unless I lay some truth down, Miss Lopez might just be gone before I ever get to see the body hiding under that dress.

And that is not an option.

“Look, Miss Lopez.” It’s time to cut the bullshit. “I know you’re living under an assumed name.”

She freezes to the spot, staring at me like I’m about to thrust a dagger into her. But we’re doing this now. She needs to know who exactly she’s dealing with. A bit of mystery might be intriguing, but I’m a busy man. I’m not dancing around whatever game she’s playing, and it’s time she understood that.

“I know you’re running from something or someone,” I say curtly. “And since you won’t give me the information I require to do a proper security check, I intend to stay informed of every detail of your life for the duration of our agreement. If you can’t accept that, then I suggest we take that contract back out of my drawer and tear it up on the spot. Because while I might not give a single fuck about yourparticular issues, I take my own very seriously. For the next five months, my issues will be your entire world. And in my world, you play by my rules.”

The topaz eyes have remained glued on me the entire time I’ve been talking, their depths slowly shifting from cold fear to hot defiance. The transformation infuriates me. It intrigues me.

It turns me on more than anything ever has.

She chews her lower lip slowly, in a way that makes me want to throw her up against the window right now, before she can change her mind.

For a long, very tense moment, I think she might actually call my bluff.

And in a way, she does.

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