“It’s not a little pipeline. It’s a massive project. We’re talking millions of dollars on the line.”
“Million with anM, right? Not billions, like they would have in Alaska or the Dakotas.”
“Excuse me?” The sheriff’s eyes blazed with an anger that made Dani distinctly uncomfortable. She had to calm him down a bit.
She reached out and touched his arm. “I’m not trying to disparage your hard work. I’m guessing you’re by far the most powerful man in this corner of the world.”
His shoulders visibly relaxed, and Dani felt as though she could breathe again.
“Oh, absolutely,” Cole chimed in.
The sheriff glanced over at him, and Dani had the distinct impression that she wasn’t going to get anywhere with Cole in the room. His role as protector was getting in the way.
“If you’ll excuse me, I need to visit the little cowboys’ room,” the sheriff said.
Dani smiled, thinking that only a complete buffoon of a grown man would refer to it as that. As soon as he was out of sight, she grabbed Cole’s arm.
“You have to leave me alone with him. Just for a few minutes. I think I can get him to say it.”
Cole shook his head. “No way, Dani. It’s too dangerous.” His jaw was firmly set and he stood a little straighter. He was determined to keep her safe. It was so damn sexy, even if it was giving her problems.
“My purse is sitting right there. Just go to the bathroom when he’s done and listen. If I’m not getting anywhere after five minutes, come back and we’ll try something new.”
He grasped her bare shoulder with his warm hand, his thumb landing on her clavicle, sending a zip of electricity through her. “I don’t like this.”
From the hall, she heard the sound of a toilet flushing and water running. “I can do it. Just give me a chance.”
“Can I pour y’all another drink?” Sheriff Orson asked, returning to the room, his presence making Dani’s skin crawl.
“Oh, sure,” Dani answered. “How about you, Chet? Another drink?” She stared him down as subtly as she could.
Cole swallowed hard enough that she could see his Adam’s apple bob up and down. “That sounds great. But I think I need to use the washroom, as well. I’ll be back in a few.”
Bingo.
As soon as Cole disappeared down the hall, the sheriff made his move, as she’d been certain he would. “What’s the deal with you and Chet there? He doesn’t really seem like your type.”
“You’ve only known me for a few hours. How did you deduce that?”
“Gorgeous woman like you deserves a man with money and power. Chet seems to have the first, but that’s about it.”
She took a calm breath, even though her stomach was churning. “I appreciate the gesture, Sheriff, but I’m not sure you wield the kind of power that really turns a woman on.” She bit her lower lip, looking into his eyes and seeing nothing but pure evil. In her head, she repeated the reasons she was here.Do this for Megan. Do it for Savannah.
“I have more power than you could imagine.” He leaned against the kitchen counter, narrowing his sights on her cleavage.
Dani had no choice but to sit a little straighter and employ her assets. “Somehow I doubt that.”
“Oh, yeah?”
She nodded confidently, feeling nothing of the sort on the inside. “Sorry, but yeah.”
He moved in on her, coming closer until he was only inches away. With him standing and her sitting on the bar stool, she felt overpowered. Overmatched. “I can make a person disappear.”
Dani laughed, but it was out of sheer nervousness.Oh my God. He’s going to say it.“Like a magician? Or for real?”
“For real. I’ve done it many times. Did it to a man just a few weeks ago.”
She dared to look up at his face, stretching her neck and making herself more vulnerable to him, knowing she only had a few more seconds until Cole would be back. “You were daring enough to do that? Aren’t you afraid of getting caught?”
