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“Are you saying Senator Wilson told someone about our involvement and that might be how Boneiro found out?”
His expression turned brooding. “Not necessarily, but people talk and we have no way of knowing how much Courtney’s nanny knows. House staff are soft targets for the Mafia.”
“So, that’s why you’ve been worming your way into our cases lately.” She frowned. “It doesn’t make sense. The other cases involved Capital Bank and the California Times News Agency, unless... you believe the Mafia has a stake in them.”
“Some of your cases coincided with leads we were following up and was part of our surveillance. That your team was there at the time was pure coincidence— in part at least.”
“Partly?”
“We’re good at what we do because we have very sophisticated equipment. We knew the moment you arrived at certain locations and had to intervene to ensure our case wasn’t compromised. We also had to keep you out of danger.
I see.” She studied his face for clues. “So, in a roundabout way, you pitched up every time to protect us.”
“That’s a fair assessment.”
“You do realize how insulting that is, Bates.” Paxton was vexed that she wasn’t coming across as sounding assertive enough because the feminine pleasure at being protected also awakened a prickling sensation of being wanted. It was a foreign feeling since she hadn’t surrendered to any emotional connection for the past ten years. Perhaps it was a sign that she was ready to change, to give in to the natural submissive inside her.
“That never was my intention but things escalated to the point where I had no other option.”
“In other words, you didn’t trust us, so you decided to unilaterally step in and play the White Knight?”
“Your words, not mine.”
“Well, let me clue you in, Bates. We’re all ex-military with multiple tours in shitholes. Ever heard the motto, Sua Sponte— of their own accord? How about this one— Rangers lead the way. I was one of three women who completed Ranger Training and deployed with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Iraq. Our role was direct action, Special Reconnaissance and Counter Terrorism. Look me up— oh, wait, you already did that, right? I’m jump-qualified and have the coveted Ranger Tab. I also have the Combat Action Badge with two stars.” She took a calming breath. “All of us have seen our fair share of action. I don’t need to be saved by you or any other man. I’d measure up just fine with any of your swinging dicks.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt that for a moment, Mrs. Lee. Be that as it may, you have never faced an enemy the likes of the American/Sicilian Mafia. They’re at the top of the food chain as ambush predators. It’s an art form with them. They’ve had five-hundred years to perfect it.” He held up his hand as she began to interject. “It’s not up for debate. I’m not going to stand by and watch any of you die.”
He crossed a leg. The rhythmic tapping of a silent arpeggio on his thigh drew her eyes downward.
Look up! Dammit Paxton. You’re staring at the man’s crotch! Look up!
“Don’t wake the primal beast with those hungry emerald eyes, little kitten,” he warned darkly. “Because once unleashed, he’s going to devour every inch of you, whether you’re ready or not.”
“Is that a promise, Bates?”
He watched as she dipped her head to massage the pad of a thumb, back and forth, across the pulpy sheen of her upper lip.
“Well… is it?”
His breath collapsed inside his chest as her eyes locked onto his. He was impressed with her but she made a mistake— one that confirmed what he’d already known. She was unconsciously looking for a Dom capable of dominating the submissive inside her she’d kept locked away.
Well, Mrs. Lee, challenge accepted. You just woke the beast.
“No, little kitten... it’s a fact.”
Chapter Three
The doorbell chimes softly echoed through the house. Paxton ignored it as she swirled her hand to generate more bubbles in the warm bath. She sighed as it rang again. Whoever was on the other end was quickly becoming obnoxious..
“Someone’s too dumb to get the message,” she mumbled as she stripped out of the black cargo pants and shirt, adamant to relax and allow the warm water to calm her mind. With one foot poised over the water, she glared toward the hallway at the uninterrupted ring sounding throughout the house. Whoever it was, was about to get an earful.
“Dammit! I’m coming,” she yelled as she wrapped a towel around her. “Oh, for fuck’s sake, I’m coming!” She marched down the hallway and descended the stairs like a woman possessed.
“Stop ringing the f.u.c.k.i.n.g. bell,” she snapped as she unlocked the door to yank it open. Immediately stunned at the image of the intruder, she slammed it on the big boot now wedged in the doorway.
“You’re not a very hospitable person, are you?”
“What the hell are you doing here?” Paxton could hear the quiver in her voice. She was rooted to the spot as she stared at the last person she’d expected on her doorstep... especially at this time of night. Her mental acuity was nearing meltdown when her eyes brushed over the muscled physique. It was the first time she saw him attired in something other than combat gear.
