Chapter Eight
Branch
“What the fuck is wrong with you?” She screamed before I even had the door shut behind me. Did she have any idea what I just saved her from? Ungrateful spoiled brat. She stood there so sure of herself. I wanted nothing more than to bend her over the bed, pull down her pants, and spank her until she had welts on her ass. That would teach her not to get mouthy when I was doing my job, which involved saving her life.
“I’m waiting....” she continued when I didn’t respond. Suddenly I felt deeply ashamed. This was Larz’ little sister.
And I’d give my own life to save hers.
There was no more denying it, and there was no denying she felt the same way. She’s pissed, let her be. I realized that this wasn’t business anymore. We were too entangled to ever let each other go. Even though she’s pissed now, she’ll come around.
But my silence did not quell her. Instead she charged at me with her hand open, ready to slap me right on the cut she left the night we first met.
But I was quick. I grabbed her wrist just before her hand could strike. I didn’t squeeze it. She had to know I wasn’t angry at her anymore. That I shouldn’t have been angry in the first place.
She could’ve wrangled her arm out of my grip, but she stood still. She looked deep into my eyes. Her’s were so blue. Those Madsen genes are strong. Too strong. Is that what Larz means when he talks about his Granny’s tea?
“You know I speak Polish right?”
“What?” She was still angry, but clearly I piqued her curiosity.
“My job has taken me around the world. I know several languages. It’s good to know things, in my line of work.”
“Why does that matter?” she asked.
“Did you hear any shots from up here?” I questioned.
“You could’ve used a silencer,” she retorted.
I suppressed a chuckle, the last thing she wanted to see was me laughing at her. “This isn’t the movies, Fara. Silencers don’t mute a gun. You still would’ve heard it. You don’t have to believe me. I have the gun in my holster. Grab it, check the cartridge.”
Her breathing was calmer now. Without taking her eyes off me, she reached down near my thigh to pull out the gun. It took everything in me not to get hard, that was probably the last thing she wanted to see.
She pulled the gun out quickly and emptied the cartridge.
“Oh.” Was all she said. It was still fully loaded. I released her arm.
“So,” her cheeks were bright red as she spoke.
“Don’t be embarrassed Fara,” I whispered.
“So what did you do with them. If you didn’t shoot them? Did you do it another way?”
I sat on the bed. She sat next to me. I cupped her chin in my hands, and she rubbed my arms.
“No. If you like you can go downstairs and check for bodies. It was too bright out to be hauling corpses around outside. Granted there is some blood, I didn’t let them go unscathed. Nothing serious, just a small carving of flesh, as a warning. They gave me their boss’ whereabouts, and plans. It’ll all be over tomorrow.”
I knew there was one more thing to say. It would kill me to say it, I thought I had finally found a way out, a girl I can settle down with, have the family I always dreamed of and never had. I took a deep breath.
“And once it’s over, I can give you a ride back to the palace on my way to the airport.”
I looked at the floor. It was shining. When had the floor ever been this clean?
“I’m a stress cleaner by the way. But where do you plan on going?”
Great, she can read my mind too.
“Los Angeles. Home. Probably take a few days PTO from Ruthless to catch up on my sleep, and then back to work,” I told her blankly.
“But you said these men are dangerous.” What was she getting at now?
“They are. Ruthless killers. Every one of them. I overheard a conversation before you came down. They mentioned poisoning the donuts. At first I thought it was to kill you. But turns out it was something else.”
“Do I want to know?” she rested her hand on my shoulder after speaking.
“Just knock us unconscious so they could kidnap you. Congratulations, you nearly ransomed yourself for millions. Not that I can blame you, they were some damn good donuts. Your father is the messiest businessman I’ve ever met. And court rulings don’t keep killers at bay.”
Fara threw her head back laughing. Her teeth were so white, she had a beautiful smile. I loved her so much, and now I was going to lose her forever.
“You saved me,” she whispered through tears. “I was ready to kill you, and you saved me. And you want to go out there and risk your life to save...me.” Now she was the one looking at the floor, deeply ashamed, the last way I wanted her to feel.