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“Of course you won. I’m shit at poker.” The Brit moves in close, virtually snarling. “You think you can walk away from me just like that? Without consequences?” The venom in his tone is cutting. “You still owe me fifteen million, Perry.” His British accent makes me shudder, every word spoken clearly and concisely. Threateningly. He makes a threat sound like a well-spoken promise to look forward to. “I just lost another ten. That ten just turned into twenty.” Black points to the table, where his chips still remain on Perry’s side. “We’ll call it inconvenience money, because it’s been mighty fucking inconvenient for me to fly to Vegas and remind you of your obligations.” His eyes take on more of a dangerous edge. “You now owe me thirty-five million. Have you got thirty-five million?”
Perry’s eyes widen. “No. God, no.”
“Didn’t think so.” Black accepts another drink from a tray. “I want the fucking marina, Perry. And no one walks away from me unless I release them.”
Perry’s eyes close briefly, his situation hitting him hard. Whatever was he thinking getting involved with Danny Black? Adams is a respected lawyer. Or, he was. “The marina.” He swallows. “It’ll happen. Please, just a bit more time.”
The Brit smiles. It’s fake, almost evil. “Sure, I’ll give you time.” Another casual sip of his drink as Perry visibly deflates in relief. I don’t know why. Even I know there’s a catch coming.
“Thank you.” Perry smiles, and it’s all I can do not to yell at him for being so fucking dumb. That’s why I’m here. Because he’s fucking dumb.
The Brit slaps Perry’s shoulder. “No problem, my friend.” Then he points his tumbler at me, his eyes landing on my body with a lethal boom. My insides twist as he drinks me in. His iron gaze frightens me and thrills me. His scar is pulsing, as if his deadly mood brings it to life. The way he’s watching me now, I feel the most naked I’ve ever been. “The woman,” Black says, his accent rich and smooth. “Who is she?”
I still, the glass in my hand threatening to crack under the force of my grip. Perry turns to me, his relief disappearing. “Her?” He looks at me like he doesn’t know me, which shouldn’t injure me, because he doesn’t. “Never seen her before.”
“Then you won’t mind if I take her.” Black keeps his eyes on mine, the coldness of his stare eating away the material of my dress, reaching my skin. But my flesh doesn’t go cold. It burns.
The Brit starts toward me, and despite my mind demanding my feet to back up, I remain where I am. Immobile. Paralyzed by his eyes.
When he reaches me, we’re virtually chest to chest. My mind rolls. My insides clench. Still no fear. Just complete and utter awe of the dangerous, beautiful killer before me. I lift my chin to keep my eyes on his, and I detect a small lift on the side of his mouth where the scar ends just a fraction before his lip line. He has otherworldly lips. Lips that have ordered thousands of deaths, and lips that I imagine could kiss a woman until she died of pleasure.
I lift my chin higher, and his mouth twitches farther. He’s read me. Sensed my attraction. My jaw tightens, annoyed that I’ve revealed my thoughts.
He wants to take me? Why? I’ve sat here, silent, in the distance. I’ve given no clues to suggest I’m in bed with Perry Adams, that I’m of any use to Black. Or . . .
I glance across to Terrance, finding his nostrils flaring. This is on him. He grabbed me, threatened me, and Danny Black didn’t miss it. The stupid idiot. I can’t go. It’s more than my life is worth. But, then again, no sane person refuses Danny Black.
Eyes still on mine, Black seizes my wrist with a brutal force I’m all too used to, clawing his fingers into my flesh to the point I know I’ll bruise. I don’t wince. I show no scrap of pain. Judging by the snide leer painting his gorgeous lips, he finds my lack of a reaction amusing. “Come.” He starts pulling me away.
Perry is suddenly before us, and so are four other men. All Black’s men. They all rest their hands on their hips, where I know their weapons are hiding behind their expensive suit jackets.
The Brit cocks his head. “You don’t know her?”
“I do,” Perry whispers, his eyes darting around. “I do know her.”
Black leans in, getting his face close to Perry’s. “The marina. Until then, I’ll be getting to know her.”
Perry is yanked from our path by one of Black’s men, and I’m pulled through, Black’s hold of my wrist now loose, though still firm. We make it to the elevators, surrounded at every angle by his men. I’m not struggling with him. I’m unsure why. Maybe because I’ve learned the hard way not to fight with forces out of my control. Danny Black is definitely a force out of my control. He’s a force out of everyone’s control.
