Page 24 of Sinful Negotiations

“The dark circles under your eyes and the bruise are the result.”

“Line of duty.”

“Because of me you were hurt.”

“Not because of you, but by affiliation. That’s all I will say about it.”

She grabbed his plate and hers. “It’s my uncle. I know it has something to do with him.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because he always meddled with people he shouldn’t. I may have been young, but I wasn’t stupid. He spent my inheritance and destroyed my father’s company.” Tessa paused with a plate in each hand. “Go onto bed. I’ll be there after I finish the dishes.”

“It will be okay, Tessa. I’ll make sure no one hurts you. Trust me.”

She dropped the plates on the counter with a loud bang. “How, Aidan? How can you be so sure?”

“I collaborate with many professionals. We work as a team trained to manage these types of situations and are dedicated to helping you. We will do whatever it takes for as long as it takes.”

“If you let me go, I’ll disappear.”

“Marco Dentzi won’t stop. He’s ruthless with ties to organized crime. Have you heard that name before, Tessa?”

“No, I don’t think so. I haven’t spent much time with them since graduating from college and accepting the position at Cross though.”

“He’s notorious for his cruelty and determination. His reach spans continents. Drugs, extortion, sex trafficking, arms dealer, the list goes on and on. He moves like a chameleon, appearing and disappearing without warning. The agency I work for has been after him for years.”

“What does a man like that have to do with me?”

Aidan wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into his embrace. “That’s the burning question and until it’s answered, I want you glued to my side.”

“Glued?” Tessa chuckled against his chest, inhaling his scent, and committing it to memory. Strong hands slid along her back, reassuring, calming, and warming.

“Don’t do anything reckless, Tessa. If forced, I will kill to protect you.”

She shivered despite the heat emanating from his body. “I’m worried for you, Aidan.”

With both hands, he cupped her face and gently kissed her lips. “You care?”

“I care,” she barely whispered.

“Believe me, trust me, and rely on me, Tessa.”

Aidan backed away, and she gripped the countertop as he disappeared into the bedroom. A sense of foreboding filled her spirit because she knew this time her uncle had gone too far. Aidan wasn’t saying it, but the nausea in her gut confirmed it was the truth.

It all became clear now…the missing reports, the sly conversations, and her uncle’s insistence she spy on her boss. The greedy asshole wanted access to Cross Enterprises and its bank account. Her hands were tied without more information.

In the past, she’d warned her uncle to stop dealing with shady people, but he wouldn’t listen and insisted he knew what he was doing. His underhanded business tactics and associates are why she refused to work for him. He must be deep in a rabbithole to have garnered the government’s attention, and all she could do is wait for the final blow with Aidan watching her every movement, and a criminal at her backdoor.

Chapter 21

Distant and preoccupied, Tessa turned to her side opposite him. He hated this for her. She may not be directly involved, but for some reason her uncle’s bad choices now put her in the line of fire. Until he had all the answers, he couldn’t tell her anything more.

Lies came easy in the past but with Tessa, it bothered him. She deserved the truth. It was on the tip of his tongue to tell her everything, but he couldn’t.

With two fingers, he caressed the soft skin of her shoulder, slid them over the curvature, and repeated the action. Creamy and delicate, her body called to him, the man, without effort. Blood pooled in his dick and his body heated, but he wouldn’t take her this night. She sought comfort from him, reached for his strength, and needed closeness…the human touch in unsure times.

He recognized it in her, although she hadn’t asked for it. She didn’t know if she could trust him in that way or rely on him. Their relationship teetered on the edge of true emotion, but he wouldn’t plunge headfirst without knowing she wanted it and could manage his lifestyle.

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