Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I never said I was,” she murmurs and even though it’s clearly not true, I don’t press her on it.
We come around a turn and head back toward the entrance. A car approaches from the front, a black Mercedes with dark tinted windows. Warning prickles down my neck and I’m already stepping in front of Deanna and reaching for the gun I have tucked into my suit jacket when the car stops and the back window rolls down.
“Well hello there, Prime, it’s good to see you.” Ricardo’s portly face beams out at me like this is some happy coincidence.
“I didn’t expect to see you here.” I slowly lower my hand, but not my guard.
“I tracked you down. I hope you don’t mind.”
I mind very much. I don’t love the idea that Ricardo can find me even when I’m out on a site survey. But I do my best to hide it.
“Not at all.”
“And hello to you, Deanna. My wife can’t stop talking about how funny, charming, and beautiful you are.”
“Thank you, and please tell her I said hello. We had a great time at your party.”
Ricardo laughs loudly. “A little too much fun!” He winks at her and a spike of hate rushes into my veins. I want to kill this disgusting prick and be done with it, but I still need him. Ricardo’s a gnat, while I’m after the queen fucking bee.
“What can I do for you?” It’s hot and I don’t have the patience to stand around and listen to this man’s bullshit for long.
“I was wondering if we could discuss a business arrangement sometime.” Ricardo’s voice softens a touch. “Marco Carbone’s been talking about you and he thinks the two of you can be good partners.”
That gets my attention. Carbone’s a big name in the Fontana outfit. He’s a rung above Ricardo and a major step closer to Fontana himself. Landing a deal with him would be massive toward earning their trust, but I can’t seem too eager.
“Depending on what he has to offer, I’d be happy to discuss something.”
“Wonderful! I’ll have him call your office.” Ricardo looks to Deanna. “Will you be answering the phone still, dear?”
“Sure will. Doesn’t matter if we’re married. Prime’s going to work me to the bone.”
Ricardo booms a laugh. “Wonderful! Good to hear! Love that about you, Prime. Listen, we’re having another get-together, another little fund raiser for a politician friend of mine. I hope the pair of you can attend next weekend?”
“We wouldn’t miss it,” I say and Deanna smiles and nods like she can’t wait.
“Listen for Marco’s call. It was good seeing you both. I’ll let you get back to work!”
His window rolls up and the car pulls away. I watch until Ricardo’s gone from the lot and I’m alone with Deanna again.
“That was good, wasn’t it?”
She doesn’t look happy when I take her arm and start walking again. “It might be.”
“You want them to want you. That’s why you played it so cool. That’s why you took that file.”
“The closer I can get, the easier my life will be.”
“Why? What do you care about these people for?”
“Ricardo’s the way in. Marco’s the key on the next step.” I look at my wife, wondering if I’m fucking this up. “The next party… maybe you don’t need to attend.”
She stiffens and slows. “What are you talking about?”
“Maybe it would be better—“
“This is what you need me for, isn’t it?” She clutches her clipboard against her chest. “I’m the reason they’re inviting you in the first place. Now that you’re a happily married man, they’re taking you more seriously. You can’t leave me at home. They’ll start to ask questions.”
She’s right, as much as I hate it. This is the whole reason we made our deal, and now I’m already trying to find a way to shield her.
“Our marriage is enough. You don’t need to be there.” I move closer and touch her. Fuck, I have to stop doing this, but I’m like an addict. I can’t help myself. When Deanna’s around I want to graze my fingers over her bare skin. I want to taste her, listen to her whimpers and moans. Even the rage and hate in her eyes gets me fucking hard.
She looks uncertain and chews the edge of her thumbnail. But the girl’s made of harder stuff. That’s what attracted me to her in the first place. I didn’t hire her because I thought she was beautiful—although that didn’t hurt—but because I could see the iron in her bones even during that first interview.
I knew she’d be impressive. I didn’t realize how right I’d be until recently.
“You need me.” She straightens, knuckles whitening around the clipboard’s edge. “I’m not staying home.”
“Deanna—“
“No, don’t try to change my mind. I’m a good distraction, right? And a good excuse if you get caught.”