Page 17 of The Last Call
Now she’s really worried. Her petite body shrinking into herself. A thoughtful expression as she ponders the implications. “I—I don’t know.”
“You currently have three customers, no advertising or marketing, no proof of–”
“Okay, okay. I get it.”
I grin despite myself. At her slight hand flying up to stop my words. At her realization she’s screwed. At her desperation for my help. Which I’m more than happy to give her. “Good. So my best accountant is working to make your records look legit, and then she’ll submit the paperwork to dissolve the corporation since you’re officially out of business now. She’s already moved your money into offshore accounts.”
“How dare you?”
Totally not the gratitude I was expecting for saving her sweet ass. Even two of the guys up front turn around from her sharp tone and glance at us. I’ll deal with their impertinence later. Right now, she’s my only focus. Apparently, I’m hers too as her boiling gaze burns into me.
“You have no right. You can’t do this!”
“I do and I did. Since you have no idea how to make a phony business look real, they’ve cleaned up your documentation and protected your assets. You don’t have to worry anymore. You won’t go to jail.”
Not like I’d ever let that happen. Enough people owe me that I could shield her from any prosecution. Including against charges levied by the federal government. She doesn’t need to know that though. I like her feeling indebted to me. Apparently she doesn’t enjoy it as much as I do and flies to her dainty feet.
“I wasn’t worried.”
The uncertainty lining her face says otherwise. “You should’ve been.”
I let my insinuation hang between us. Giving her time for the realization sink in. When she finally understands the jeopardy she put herself in, her slender arms wrap around herself. Hugging herself in hollow comfort. Only I can provide the solace she needs. Only I can save her.
Her frantic gaze glances toward the cockpit and back to me before she suddenly glides out of our row and stomps toward the back. Guess we’re taking our discussion to the bedroom then. As good of place as any to hash this out. Without an audience or any interruptions.
After racing down the tight hallway, she suddenly stops. Maybe from the huge platform bed filling up most of the space. Not sure what she was expecting to find back here. Certainly not a damn exit. Whipping around, her small body crashes into mine. Bouncing against my broad chest from the impact, she teeters backward, and I catch her before she tumbles to the carpet. “Careful piccolo leone. You should slow down.”
“No, what I should have done is shot you when I had the chance.”
Sheer fury drips from her threat. Funny for as much as she likes to pretend she hates me, she always seems to end up in my embrace. “I don’t understand why you’re so upset.” I grab her chin with a harsh grip to make sure she’s listening to me. Forcing her to look up at me. Because now I’m getting angry from her thanklessness. From the reminder of what she did after I explicitly told her not to. “You never have to fuck anyone for money again.”
Her head twists side to side trying to escape my grasp and the truth. With her arms trapped between us, her fingers claw into my shirt attempting to force me to release her. Fuck if she’s not sexy in her frenzied rage.
“It’s not just about the money.”
Hello earnest. Meet jaded. She really has no idea. “It’salwaysabout the money.”
“I mean for me.” Her small palms are warm even through the thick fabric of my shirt. Radiating heat from her hard push that gets her nowhere and nothing. “Damn it Julius, let me go!”
After three useless shoves, exhaustion must take over, and she droops against me. Once she stops struggling, I let her slide down to her feet and motion toward the bed. Of course she moves to the black sofa instead. I smother my chuckle but slam the door shut behind me. Not that she can really get away or has anywhere to go but I want to make sure I get my point across. If I have to tackle her to the floor, I’ll probably end up fucking her there too.
Stalling for time, she draws out settling onto the cushion, crossing her lithe legs, smoothing down the bunched wool of my coat. I don’t mind. I’m patient when I’m enjoying the show. Finally she entwines her thin fingers and lays her hands on her lap. Staring at them instead of me.
“Thank you for helping me with my business. You were right, and I appreciate you protecting me.”
Her voice is soft, relaxed, calm. Too calm for as frantic as she was just a few seconds ago. Making me already know that I’m not going to like what she’s leading up to. “You’re welcome.”
My acceptance of her quasi apology seems to bolster her confidence, and she finally looks up. Hope shining in her deep emerald eyes. A fake smile lifts her cheeks. Too sad to be genuine. “I’ll fuck you. Here, now.” She nods toward where I’m sitting. “Or I can spend the night with you wherever you’re taking me. The whole week, even, if that’s what you want. However long you want but you have to promise you’ll let me go after that.”
She’s a horrible negotiator. Her offer sounds like a question. A request rather than a demand. A plea rather than an ultimatum. I have so much to teach her. Starting with I don’t make deals. I make the rules. Theonlyrules. “Nope.”
Displeasure steals her phony grin and the familiar exasperation returns. “Why not?”
“Too easy.”
“Bu-but back at my apartment…you said…you said you would pay me and then….”
“I lied.”
