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“No need to worry about any of that,” he said dismissively. “While we are here, we must go see the fountain.” He looked at Robyn, a slight sparkle in his eyes. “Or perhaps I take you down to the lake for a swim. You have a bathing suit? One can be provided, if you do not.”
I tensed and stared at Brnovich. He leered at Robyn openly, not trying to hide his interest. Even though she was covered head to toe, he still looked at her like she was revealing herself to him, like she was an offering, a ripe plum. I wanted to smash his skull against the dirt until it cracked open like a melon.
She was a peach. Her juice would run down my chin. I’d lap her up until she screamed.
And no other man would touch her.
“She isn’t interested,” I said with more venom in my voice than I’d intended.
Brnovich looked confused. “Not interested? It would be fun. Believe me, I have plenty of outfits we can put the girl in. That is why you brought her, yes?”
“No,” I said and stopped walking. I felt Robyn’s tension radiate off her. I hated myself for thinking that I’d use her as a distraction to get the upper hand against this slovenly creature.
She was right. I would’ve ripped his skull to pieces if she’d come out of that house in that dress and let his unworthy gaze linger in her breasts.
I was a fool. A stupid, stupid fool, and I was lucky she showed me just how misguided I’d been.
“No?” Brnovich tilted his head. I was on the verge of violence. I was about to do something reckless and stupid.
“She is here because I trust her opinion.” I stepped closer to the fat old general. “She is mine and don’t you forget that.”
He seemed utterly taken aback. I bet he’d never encountered a woman he wasn’t allowed to partake of, at least not for a long time. His compatriots, sycophants, admirers, and underlings must’ve all indulged his whims and desires, all because the bastard was in a position of power.
But I wouldn’t. I didn’t care if it destroyed this deal.
Robyn knew me better than I knew myself.
“I understand,” Brnovich said, gathering himself, and his face grew serious. “You wish to talk business? Then we’ll talk business, but only when I have my trusted advisors available.”
“You’re the one that makes decisions.”
“That’s right, and you must not forget it.” He stared at me, his hands clenching into fists.
The threat of something deadly lingered in the charged atmosphere. I couldn’t help but smile. I wanted him to come at me. Let the old shit find out what it felt like to be beaten into a pulp by a man better and stronger than him.
Robyn spoke up. “I wouldn’t mind swimming.”
I stepped back in surprise. Brnovich stared at her in bafflement. She smiled sweetly at me then at Brnovich.
“You wouldn’t?” I was skeptical, to put it mildly. I couldn’t imagine her ever wanting to wear a bikini supplied by this cretin for his amusement.
“It’s a nice lake. I wouldn’t mind going out on the boat, if the minister has one.”
Brnovich perked up. His hands unclenched. “Boat? I have boat. I have many boats. I can show you, if you wish. Boathouse is not far.”
“I would be absolutely delighted.” Robyn stepped past me and took the minister’s arm. “How big are the boats?”
“All sizes, dear.” He patted her hand, beaming with pride. “I will show you the biggest. She is a beauty, you will see. If you wish, we can take her out, and you can dive from the second balcony into the water. Very deep and beautiful, out in the middle of the lake.”
“You impress me with the boats, and I’ll be happy to impress you with my diving.”
Brnovich roared laughter and walked along with Robyn, and I trailed after, doing breathing exercises to keep from murdering the old shit.
We spent the next hour looking at his boats. He had big ones, small ones, fast ones, slow ones, and by the time he finished blathering on about each, explaining what their crude names meant in too much detail, I was exhausted, hungry, craving caffeine, and on the verge of nuking this entire estate just to be done with this awful visit.
Robyn was in good spirits. She bounced back to the house with Brnovich on her tail. He was clearly smitten with her, and followed her like a puppy dog.
“Eat, eat,” Brnovich said when we arrived back on the veranda. “You break your fast, drink your coffee, and relax. My dear, we will go on the lake later, later, perhaps even tomorrow. Please, I have work, but please enjoy.” Brnovich begged himself off and disappeared inside.
I watched him go. Robyn stood very close.
“That’s how it’s done, asshole,” she muttered.
