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Losing her focus.
I can make her lose a lot more than that.
She looks at me and sees a sex-crazed loose cannon who shoots first, thinks never. And to some extent, she’s right.
But maybe that’s what I need the world to see so nobody can see what really hides down deep. Because that shit is scary. And regrets? Christ only knows I have a boatload myself.
It’s just easier to project than to deal with them, unlike Val who wants to wallow in them so they rule her life.
I let out a deep breath. If I can’t play with her, I’m gonna have to play with something else.
And no, I’m not talking about my cock. Yet. ’Cause if she keeps stomping around here in shorts like that where her ass cheeks peek out of the bottom, I’m gonna lose my damn mind.
“I think we need to get out of here.”
She pokes her head around the corner wall. “You’re insane. What if the people who tried to take Aisling are just waiting for you to show up?”
I rummage through the shopping bag Heaven brought and fish out a black t-shirt. “You’re assuming I was a target, not Matteo Villani, who is the most fucking notorious mob boss out here.”
“I’m just saying that it’s not smart. They know who you are now. They’ve seen your new look.”
I grab a baseball cap and put it on, pulling the bill down low. “No glasses. They’ll never spot me now.”
“This is exactly what I’m talking about.” Val throws her hands in the air. “You’re so oblivious to danger. Is that because you were knocked out by enemies’ baseball bats one time too many? Does the gravity of this situation really not register with you?”
“YOLO, babe. There any beers in the fridge?”
Val’s eyes roll back into her head, and she disappears again. The refrigerator door opens and slams shut before she appears with a bottle of Pellegrino in her hand. “That is the most irresponsible thing I’ve heard from you in the last…” She looks down at her watch. “Five seconds.”
“I’m just saying that our work puts us in the line of fire all the time. We should always be prepared for attack. Haven’t you learned that yet?”
She lets out a huff, shoves an open bottle of Stella Artois at me, and takes a long gulp from the clear green glass bottle in her other hand. “I’m very aware of that, thanks. I just like to keep myself out of harm’s way until I absolutely need to make a move.”
“So, what, you just hole yourself up in between jobs? How long do you wait for Branko to show up in between failed attempts to kill him?” I guzzle down the cold beer and place the bottle on a nearby table so I can pull on the t-shirt. “Must be a fucking boring life.”
Val coughs and sputters on the carbonated water, flipping me off until she can speak again. “For your information, Branko isn’t the only scumbag I track. In case you didn’t realize it, Red Ladro has a laundry list of enemies who want to break what the members have built. I handle all types of threats that keep me plenty occupied. Branko just happens to be the big fish. And fuck you for your comment. I’ve come close to getting him lots of times.”
“Close only counts with horseshoes and hand grenades.” I smirk. “And I have personal experience with the hand grenades.”
“I don’t know.” She walks toward me, fire in her blue eyes. “I’d like to test out the hand grenade theory. Fuck close. I can be spot-on. And you’re coming really close to it.”
“I bet you’re a real firecracker when you’re off duty.” I brush my fingers over the top of her head, tracing them over the shell of her ear. “Too bad you’re a workaholic.”
“We could get word from Alek at any time that our membership was approved. He has to be able to reach us.” She shivers when my fingers slide down the side of her face.
Did I mention the temperature in here is seventy-six?
Why, I have no fucking idea. It shouldn’t feel like the sweltering desert inside, too.
“I heard him say tomorrow.”
“It could be sooner…” Her words trail off like she’s out of breath.
Or self-control. I’m really hoping for the latter.
“I told you I’m not having sex with you.” She finally finds her words and damn, they hit me in the gut like a lead brick.
I force a smile. “Relax, I don’t wanna fuck you. Although, your attitude gives new meaning to the words ‘tight ass.’ Can’t say I’m not curious.”
