Page 128 of Hidden Ties

“Huh?”

“She inferred my injuries were a result of domestic violence.”

“You’re kidding?”

“I wish I were.”

“Did you tell her you were mugged?”

“No. It was none of her business.”

Kent smiled at the stubborn tilt of her chin. “Technically, it was none of my business, either, yet you told me.”

“Yes, but you bought me a burrito and my iced coffee.”

He was still smiling when he pulled back into his reserved parking spot. Turning off the car, he unbuckled his seat belt while Sage undid hers.

“I’m sorry you were mugged. I’m sure it was a frightening experience for you. If you need anything, just give me a call. I’m only a few floors away.”

“Thank you, Kent.”

“For what? A burrito and a cup of coffee?” he joked as they got out of the car.

Closing the car door, she came around the back to walk alongside of him. “For making today a little less crummy.”

“You brightened my day, too. I had to sit through an entire morning going over my colleagues’ and my open cases.”

“Ouch. Somehow, I think I had a better morning than you did,” she said laughingly.

“There’s a big beer fest Friday night downtown. You want to hit a few of the stalls with me?”

“Kent”—she pressed the elevator button—“you had me at beer.”

As the elevator door opened on Sage’s floor, Kent pressed the button to hold the door.

“Don’t forget, if you need anything, just give me a call.”

Shyly, her eyes skirted his as she left the elevator. Sage was like a flower unfolding with more and more attention he gave her.

As soon as the elevator closed behind her, his smile disappeared as if it had never been there. He had lost count of the number of women he had used to further his own ends, and never once had he felt a twinge of guilt. Until now.

That she had given the same answer he had Garrett made him question what Bree had shown they both wanted to keep their work life separate from their private life. Unfortunately for Sage, she was playing right into his hands.

Passing his assistant’s desk without a word, he went into his office and closed the door, taking out a disposable cell he always kept on him.

He keyed in a number, then impatiently drummed his fingers on the desk as he waited for the call to be answered.

“Yes?” Sal’s voice came over the phone.

“I’m going to need a couple of favors.”

“You want favors, go through Lucca,” Brusquely, Sal refused.

“What I want is your field of expertise. You do these favors, and I’ll tell you how to get your little firecracker in bed.”

“Who says I want that?”

Not in the mood to play games, he disconnected the call. He was dialing another number when an incoming call flashed across the screen. Kent accepted it with a smug smile, glad Sal wasn’t there to witness it.

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