Page 26 of Corrupted Deception

“Let me go,” I demanded.

He cocked an eyebrow at me while he shifted so thathisthigh was between mine now, pressing just hard enough that the friction against my clit made me gasp.Asshole.

“Is that really what you want,tempesta?”

I winced, but it strengthened my resolve.

“Since when did you give a flying fuck about what I want?” I snapped.

His grip on my arms loosened, not all the way, but enough I could have broken away.

I could have gone running into the warehouse—he’d never be able to get in—but I was a grown woman here.

It was time to make a reasonable deal and send this man on his way, preferably on his way into another time zone, but I’d settle for another zip code for now.

“If I give you a name, you have to sit on it,” I said. “You can’t make a move until I give you the all clear. Then, he’s all yours.”

As much as I wanted retribution for what Silva had done, I’d hand it over gladly if it meant Cielo wouldn’t go in now, guns blazing, killing what could be my only hope of finding my dad.

He shook his head. “You know that isn’t how this works.”

“We’re all making concessions here, Cielo.” I shrugged. “So, take it or leave it, but it’s the only offer on the table.”

He had the muscle andallthe guns, but according to those who knew me, I had enough stubbornness to give an ancient oak tree a lesson in staying power.

“Cade Finley does exist,” I went on. “At least, he did until I erased him last night. And the man you want might be the only person who can help me find him,” I said, laying it out plain.

“Why?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Because he took him,” I said, and of course, my eyes had to start stinging.

His head tilted just a little as he looked at me, eyes slightly narrowed. “Who is Cade Finley to you?”

I pressed my lips together.

Precisely five people on this planet knew that Declan Ryan had a daughter. Mom didn’t count, since she didn’t know who the hellIwas even on a good day, never mind the man she’d slept with twenty-seven years ago.

“He’s… important,” I said vaguely.

Cielo dropped his hands like my arms had spontaneously transformed into live wires, and he took a step back.

“You give me a name, and so long as he poses no immediate threat to my family, I won’t pursue him… fornow,” he said, his voice cold and detached.

I nodded, but was it that simple?He gives me his word, and I believe him?

“But Charlotte,” he continued, “there is a time limit. I won’t be patient indefinitely. Whatever it is you need to do, do it fast.”

I almost scoffed.

I met his gaze. The name was on the tip of my tongue. Was I wrong to do this? To put so much trust in him? My gut said no.

“Miguel Silva,” I forced the name out.

His eyebrows raised just a little, the only proof that the name had taken him by surprise.

“He’s a Venezuelan senator who—”

“I know who he is,” he said, his voice clipped. “You let me know the minute you’re through with him.”

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