AllFreeNovel
Share Us
When I finally got up the nerve to look in the mirror, it was as I’d feared. Looking back at me wasn't the same put-together man I'd spent a lifetime trying to become. No, the image mocking me in the mirror was that of the little kid I'd been. The one no one had wanted. The one who'd been too weak, too pathetic.
I dropped my eyes and growled, "Get it together, Jude." I wrapped my fingers around the edges of the raised sink and held on until I finally felt some semblance of control retake my body. I had no clue how much time passed before looking in the mirror again. I was relieved to see the familiar Jude staring back. The one who didn't take shit from anyone. Not even hot Russian wannabe bodyguards.
A coolness settled over my skin as I took a few more deep breaths before turning and seeking out the garment bag on the back of the bathroom door. I took my time putting on a clean shirt and jacket.
Let Nikolai Falkov wait.
It would be time for round three soon enough and I had absolutely no doubt about who would be coming out on top this time.
Chapter 5
Nikolai
Jesus, what was wrong with me? It was like the guy ticked all of my boxes. I never put my hands on a client unless I was moving them out of harm's way.
But every word that came out of Jude's mouth made me itch to put my hands on him. I wanted to show him who was in charge. I wanted to exert that kind of power over him so I could…
So I could what? See that same vulnerability in his eyes that I'd seen when he’d thought something had happened to his lover? No, I didn't want to see that again. What I wanted was more of that spark. That one that said Jude Archer was alive and well beneath the cold façade. His fiery temper that he worked hard to control was like a drug. I wanted more even though I knew I shouldn't.
As I paced around Jude's office, I took in the view and tried to mentally prepare myself for what was to come next. I had no doubt that the fight would continue. But this time, I needed to maintain my own control. I was a professional, damn it. This wasn’t my first time on the job and he most certainly wasn't the most difficult client I'd ever had. Well, at least not yet, anyway. Of course, I hadn't ever wanted to bend any of my other clients over the back of the couch and fuck them senseless either.
By the time the door to the bathroom opened back up, I'd managed to settle down enough to at least give the appearance that I was ready for the next battle. Jude came out looking pretty much exactly like he had before he’d spilled the coffee on himself. I'd already seen the fresh jacket and shirt in his bathroom, so I wasn't surprised to see that he’d changed. Instead of returning to his desk, Jude went to the counter where there was a small refrigerator as well as a coffee maker. He got a cup of coffee going and then snagged a towel and returned to his desk.
"So, are you attempt number three from company number two or attempt number one from a new company?" he asked as he mopped up the coffee that he'd spilled on his desk.
"I'm from Smithfield," I said.
Jude nodded slowly. "Right. So I'm assuming that you won't be distracted by shiny objects like Mr. Halsey."
"Most clients aren't in the habit of running from the people who've vowed to protect them," I responded. I didn't really like making excuses for Lenny, but I wasn't about to go apologizing to Jude for the subpar service he'd received thus far from Smithfield. I'd already had a long conversation with Lenny that had pretty much served as his one and only warning to get his act in gear. As for Tolliver, I'd kick his ass if he was ever foolish enough to show himself again.
Jude paused for a moment and let his eyes lift. "Uh-oh, did I get little Leonard in trouble with his daddy?" he asked coolly.
I didn't respond. Instead, I went to the coffee maker and confiscated the cup of coffee he'd been preparing. I turned and took a slow sip of the rich brew and felt a shimmer of satisfaction when I saw Jude's eyes harden just a bit. But he didn't say anything as he continued to right his desk.
"So I suppose Mr. Tolliver earned himself a talking-to," he commented.
"That was the plan." I paused and eyed Jude. "Now that I've met you, I'm thinking maybe he was on the right track, though twenty grand seems a bit low," I said sarcastically.
