Fuck.
The slow, knowing curve of her lips made something tighten low in my stomach.
I had covered everything that night—tattoos, voice, face. She shouldn’t know.
Shecouldn’tknow.
But that devious little smile made me second-guess it.
If she knew and wanted to pile on, her blackmail threats would only be stronger. Not that she could prove it. I still didn’t know what else she wanted to keep those pictures hidden, but I didn’t care nearly as much now because now I actually did deserve the blackmail. I could handle one more random errand if it kept her quiet.
I could also use her little secret of hiding out and crying to romance movies against her, but for some reason, I liked the idea of keeping that information all to myself.
I had given myself a small bit of satisfaction at Hero’s party. I had touched her, taken from her, and for one night of my fucking life, had something I had wanted for years.
And now I had to deal with any consequences when that bit me in the ass.
“Well, well, well,” she said, smirking as she stepped out of the office. “If it isn’t my favorite errand boy. Did you get the trackers on?”
I had thrown punches, taken bullets, outridden cops, and outrun dealers, and yet somehow, nothing rattled me more than the way she was looking at me right now.
Still, I forced my voice steady. “Yeah. We got them on all three.”
The teasing curl of her lips stretched, and I hated that my brain was currently engaged in a full-on war to stop picturing her mouth doing other things.
“You always know how to get the job done, don’t you, Ace?” She sighed, dramatic. “Reliable, obedient, and oh-so-efficient.”
I narrowed my eyes. “Obedient?That’s what you think I am?”
She tilted her head, eyes flashing with mischief. “Well, you do seem to follow orders pretty well. Especially when they come from me.”
Fuck. She was playing dirty. I stepped closer, searching her face for any hint that she was bluffing. If she knew it had been me last night, she was hiding it dangerously well.
“I don’t remember following any orders from you,” I said, my voice lower than it should’ve been.
“No?” She blinked up at me, mock innocence dripping. “I’m sure you’ve followed a few.”
There was a weight in the air now, thick and humming, pulling me toward her like gravity had shifted.
My fingers flexed. I needed to get my shit together. I needed to think logically, breathe normally, pretend I didn’t want to back her up against the office wall and—
Fuck.
I couldn’t have it. We were back to our reality. The one where keeping my hands off her was the number one rule, so I couldn’t exactly force her to listen and drop to her knees again. Blood rushed through me and I fought to get control over my thoughts, which were quickly wandering to Evie on her knees in front of me.
“I always do what needs to be done. Including ridiculous things you ask.” I crossed my arms over my chest, knowing sheunderstood I was talking about the blackmail. “Like you said, it’s your game. I’m playing nice, but don’t push your fucking luck.”
Her gaze trailed over me like she was sizing me up. “Who said I wanted you to play nice?”
I grit my teeth. The teasing in her voice was driving me wild. I wanted to see how far I could take it before that smug look of hers faltered. But I couldn’t afford to lose control again. I gave myself one time, and it would have to be enough.
It had been enough to ruin me and I couldn’t get so close again.
She pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer, her voice lowering to a whisper. “I’m just saying, you’ve done everything I’ve asked so far. Maybe you’re more obedient than you think.”
“Or maybe I’m waiting for the right moment to break all your rules.” The thought sent a wave of pleasure down my back.
Her eyes flickered, something dark and dangerous flashing behind them, and I knew I’d hit a nerve. For a second, neither of us moved, the tension between us making me wonder if there really was something there from both sides or if it was all in my head. Then she grinned again, playful and wicked.
