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She swallowed before she returned her cup to the table. “That sounds exhausting.”
“I find it thrilling.”
“So…do you have men watching me? Making sure I’m not a spy for someone else? That I’m not going to slit your throat while you sleep and betray you?”
I held her gaze, seeing the way her eyes were guarded in anticipation of my answer.
“I have men watch you—but only to keep you safe.”
“Really?” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“Why? Why am I different from everyone else?”
Now I was cornered into giving an answer I didn’t want to share. This conversation had made her as white as snow, but now it made my hands turn cold despite the heat from my injury. I was stiff but loose at the same time, looking into eyes that sparkled more than a pile of diamonds. “Because this is real.”
* * *
“Who was it this time?” Benton addressed my hands without looking at them.
“Andre.” I took a drink.
He sat across from me at the table in the bar. It was ten in the evening, so most of the seats were empty. Benton had a sleepiness to his gaze, like he wasn’t used to staying up late these days. “Didn’t expect that.”
“Neither did I.”
“That must have been hard for you.”
“Not really.” Betray me—and you were dead to me.
“How did you find out?”
“One of the guys did a deep dive into their records because he suspected Andre was skimming off the top. I didn’t believe it since Andre isn’t the stupid type, but it turned out to be true.”
“You’re certain of that?”
“He admitted it before I killed him.”
Benton took a drink then licked his lips. “Fuck me.”
Andre had taken the hits like a man. Didn’t beg. Didn’t plead. Didn’t make a sound. I respected him—even as I took his life. “It is what it is.” I took a drink and left the empty glass on the table.
“You’re awfully calm about this.”
NowI was. “Even the most honorable men can’t resist temptation when it’s right in front of them. Whether it’s cheating on their wife with a woman half her age, or adjusting the scales and pocketing some change. The love of their life could leave them. Or they could lose their life. But in the moment, it all seems worth it.” I waved the waitress over, and she immediately brought me another drink. “They always think they can outsmart me—fucking hilarious.” I released a quick chuckle before I took a drink. “How’s the wife?”
Benton took a while to answer, like he was thinking about his time at my side. “Uncomfortable. She’s a petite woman, so pregnancy doesn’t agree with her.”
“No surprise there.”
“We’re thinking of moving to my place in the countryside. Outgrowing the townhouse.”
“Claire will have to change schools.”
“She makes friends easily.”
“How is she?” I asked.
