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“But we didn’t set down exact terms,” I said. “I certainly don’t remember agreeing to share my thoughts.”
“Another bargain.” His brows drew together. “Is that what you mean?”
My salary immediately came to mind. “I’ll tell you my thoughts in exchange for you paying me the manager’s salary you originally offered.”
“Ah.” His eyes sparkled actively. “More than a mere penny for your thoughts.”
I lifted my chin. “You don’t have to agree.”
“I agree.”
“Really?” My eyes rounded with surprise.
“I told you I want many things from you, Addy, my dear.” His gaze drifted over my face and his eyes brightened in intensity. “Not all require you to be naked.” He squeezed my thigh. “I’ve agreed. So, tell me what you’re thinking.”
“About how unfamiliar this is. My life right now, wearing a dress like this, being in a fancy car with you, driven by a chauffeur.”
“Arturo is a bodyguard.” Martin’s lips curved. “I don’t think he would appreciate being referred to as a chauffeur.”
I cocked my head. “Do most bodyguards also drive?”
“They do if they were trained to fire weapons and drive cars in Quantico, Virginia.”
“He’s FBI?” My lips parted, and I caught a flash of Arturo’s amused grin in the rearview mirror.
“No, he didn’t complete his training. But he completed enough to be an invaluable asset. One that I pay well and keep around to ensure my safety and the safety of anyone with me.”
Martin picked up my hand and ran his fingers lightly over the back of it before glancing up at me through the thick fringe of his inky lashes.
“Anything else on your mind?” he asked softly.
The truth spilled out. “I’m worried about my sister. What’s going to happen to her, to her band? What did your security guards do to my friends?”
“Your sister is safe. Winston’s is well guarded. The alarm will go on at closing. She is the only one with a key to her room. Does that soothe you?” He stroked the skin across the back of my hand with his thumb.
I still didn’t know the details about what happened with Dimitri and the guys in the band, but my sister was certainly safer at Winston’s than she’d been when I’d left her with my mom and her drugged-out friends.
“And my friends?” I asked.
“Those boys aren’t your friends.” He pinned me with a look. “Well, the one might claim to be, but as Arturo said, boys and girls can’t be friends once they reach a certain age.”
“We were ... are.”
“Because he wants to fuck you,” Martin said baldly, but I shook my head.
“Barry doesn’t think about me that way.”
“Have you outright asked him his thoughts on the matter?”
“No.” I pressed my lips together, aware that the conversation had taken an uncomfortable turn.
“Don’t clam up on me.” The pad of his thumb swirled on my skin. “I’ve been where you are. Trustingly naive, surrounded by those my age who I thought were true friends. But I discovered, and you should already acknowledge by this point, given recent events, that people like Andy Green and Collin Murphy care only about themselves, and you only for what they can gain from you.”
“That’s a very cynical view.”
“It’s not a view. It’s reality. Admit that you see it.”
Frowning, I murmured, “Maybe.”
