I ignore him and cherish the bag before giving Teddy an appreciative gaze.
“Once you’re done here, it’s time for us to have our meeting upstairs.” Max says.
Max grabs my wrist to pull me with him as he exits the room, but I snatch my arm back. “I want to look around.”
Teddy lights up and rushes to my side, “Do you want to play, little devil?”
Before I can answer Max interrupts me, “No, Teddy. You go ahead and clean up and maybe later you can play if Zoe here can’t comply.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I chime in, but I get no answer.
Groaning, I decide to follow behind Max until something catches my eye. “What the hell, did you steal my fucking garrote?” I ask Max.
All I get as an answer is a chuckle, which irritates me even more, making me stomp up the stairs.
Once we are back up to the main level, Max shuts the door and towers over me, still clutching my wrist. “I told you not to mess with Teddy.” Max growls.
I peel his fingers off of me, “Grab me like that again, and I’ll tear your throat out and shove it so far up your-”
“Do not threaten me, Harpy.” he interrupts me. I wait for him to try to grab me again, but he stalks away instead.
I cross my arms and lean my back against the door. “Asshole.”
9
Planetary Motion
Zoe
Hours later we are all sitting around a large dark cherry wood table in an office on the third floor. Nobody has spoken yet, and the only sound in the room is the drumming of my fingers. All four men stare at me with impassive faces, waiting for me to be the first person to speak.
I arch an eyebrow at Max, “Are we here to stroke our cocks, or are you going to speak?”
Brandon’s lips begin to curl, but he brushes his hand over his mouth to wipe away the expression. Max notices but just shakes his head and moves his attention back to me. “What will it be, Harpy?” Max starts. “Death or partnership?”
I still don’t understand this little pet name he’s given to me, but I can’t say it bothers me-- unless it’s supposed to be degrading or something. Honestly, anything is better than ‘princess’ I suppose. I disregard his question and relax back in my chair, “What’s your true motive? Other than gaining anincrediblyskilled assassin, why else are you asking me to join your forces?”
Max takes a moment to actually consider the question and finally says, “Insurance.” He has a cocky gleam in his eyes that finds its way beneath my skin. I don’t know what it is about these men, or what runs in their tap water, but they exude power so potent, it’s palpable.
I nod thoughtfully, understanding that if I work with him—I would no longer be working against him. Max would no longer see me as a threat; which has potential to be both a positive and a negative. He’s making this too easy. I know he has something up his sleeve, I’m not sure if I want to be around when he drops the bomb.
“And?” I press, knowing there must be more.
Shrugging one shoulder, Max says, “You intrigue me.”
I bite the inside of my cheek to keep my jaw from falling open. “Why not just kill me? You said it yourself, that I’ve stolen millions of dollars from you in the last year-- which I can only assume is kill worthy. Why aren’t you torturing me for information?”
Max releases a dark chuckle. A sound so deep and evil it sends a pulse directly to my heating core. “Ever heard of keeping your enemies close?”
“Fair enough,” I lace my fingers together and put my hands on the table in front of me. “If I choose to join, what would be expected of me? What’s my job?” I ask.
“You’d be sent on assignments and missions with the team.” He gestures to himself and the men sitting by his sides. “You’d also accompany us at social gatherings, charities and business openings.”
“I’m not a piece of arm candy.” I snarl.
This earns me smirks from all the men sitting across from me. “Oh, but you would be. Because nobody can know who you are. I’d like to keep your identity as The Sparrow hidden for the time being. In order for this to happen, you will be publiclyseen as my…romanticinterest. It would explain you living here as well as why you may be present on enforcement runs.”
I scoff, “Maxi pad, if you want me to be your girlfriend, all you have to do is ask. You didn’t need to kidnap me.”
