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“I don't intend to actually knock you up. At the end of our contractual obligations to each other you'll go your way and I'll go mine.” I tapped the paper. “I will assist you in tracking down your parents’ killers and getting revenge.”
I could tell her natural instinct was to tell me that she didn't need my help, and she struggled to contain herself. But in the end, she inclined her head in a quick nod. Then she took the pen out of my hand and signed the contract.
I still didn't entirely trust her, of course. Trusting an assassin would be as foolish as trusting a gangster. But I did know that the belladonnas valued their fearsome reputation.
I took the pen from her, and an electric charge seemed to pass from her fingertips to mine. Ignored it, quickly scrolling my signature across the paper. “Alright, love. Let's go on our date.”
“I prefer you didn't call it that,” she said.
I wrapped my hands around her hips to help her off my lap. She stepped away as if I had burned her.
I rose to my feet, straightened my lapels, and gave her a smile. “I know.”
Dominic and Xander looked jealous as hell, which I was not going to even pretend that I didn't enjoy. I unclipped my holster from the small of my back and handed it to Dominic. “Lock that in the safe for me, please.”
I preferred being armed, but I didn’t trust Selena not to try to disarm me and turn the tables.
And I thought there was a decent chance she might succeed. There was a reason I liked the girl, after all.
I took her down to the garage, picked out a car for the night, and swung open the car door for her.
“A Bugati Chiron,” she noted as she stared at the sleek silver car. “You like to keep a low profile, don’t you?”
“You don’t have to hide if you’re quick enough,” I told her.
She slid into the passenger seat and ran her hand over the dashboard. She seemed to openly covet the car, which I enjoyed.
She grinned as I accelerated out of the garage and the force pressed her into the black leather seats. “Are you going to let me drive it?”
“Yes,” I said, and her face brightened in surprise. But I’d never been one of those weird dickheads who always has to be the driver. Not even with my own precious cars. I surrounded myself with competent people that I trusted, and then I acted on that faith. “Once we trust each other.”
She scoffed lightly, as if she doubted that would ever happen. “Where are we going?”
“My office at one of my luxury resorts, Sanctuary.” I cast a glance at her. “I think you’d prefer some of the branches outside the U.S.—Sanctuary Turks & Caicos is a favorite of mine—
but we do our best here.”
“You’ve really mastered the humble brag.”
I knew she wouldn't show any sign she was impressed or intrigued when we pulled out front and the valet took my car. “Good evening, Mr. Crude.” he said as I handed him the keys and a tip.
“Good evening,” I said.
We entered the lobby, and I knew she would look as if she'd been there a thousand times before. But I still felt a sense of pride when I looked at the lush environment around us and the laughing, laidback adults clearly enjoying themselves as they wandered past us, with no idea they were passing the owner.
“You run a series of sex clubs?” she asked. “I thought that was your father's business.”
“He originally owned the resorts and the clubs. But neither is his passion, and they are mine, so he gave them to me.”
“That seems unexpectedly generous.”
“I know you think he's a bad man, but he's been a good father.” I tilted my head, studying her. “And I did pay for them.”
“You did chores in exchange for a steady allowance of resorts?” Her lips tilted up as she mocked me. Even though her smirk made me want to spank her ass, that smile was still magnetic.
“Exactly.” An endless series of unsavory chores.
As we walked across the expansive marble lobby, I caught sight of a familiar champagne-blond bob and curvy figure. Lolly was waiting at the elevators too, and she was already turning. Not that I would have run away from my ex-girlfriend.
