The door in the wall opposite opens a moment later. Two men in suits walk out, looking green around the gills. They look like they’ve just escaped execution but only just. They march straight past us without a word, heading for the elevator.
There’s a buzzing sound from the desk a moment later. “Miss Addams, if you’d like to go in,” the receptionist says.
We both get up but she continues. “If you’d wait here, Miss Greene. Someone’s coming to give you a tour of the available office space presently.”
I look at Cathy as she sits back down. “I’ll be right here,” she says, squeezing my hand. She leans in close to whisper. “Go get him.”
I manage a smile but my heart is racing faster than when I climbed in the elevator.
I walk over to the dark wooden door in the wall opposite us. I take a deep breath and then push it open, heading inside with no idea what’s waiting for me in there.
Eight
Vincenzo
She walks in, looking even more beautiful than the last time I saw her.
I lean back in my chair, nodding toward the seat opposite. She tucks a piece of hair back behind her ear as she sits down. That gesture alone makes me want to fuck her over the desk. How is everything she does so damn erotic?
“Good to see you again,” I say, closing my laptop and picking up a cigar. “You smoke?”
“Bad for you,” she replies, shaking her head.
“Lots of things are bad for you,” I say, snipping the end off with my steel cutter. “Do you avoid them all?”
“Smoking cigars, yes. Also poison sockets.”
“Poison sockets?”
“They’re full of poison. Really bad for you. Make sure yours are switched off at night.”
I manage to keep my smile in check as I work out she’s winding me up. How long has it been since anyone tried humor with me instead of pleading?
“Did those men say anything to you when they left?” I ask.
“Nothing. Why?”
“They were looking for information and they may have tried to get some from you.”
“What kind of information?”
“Doesn’t matter. Your friend is welcome to the office that’s vacant on the fifth floor at two hundred dollars a month.”
“Wow. Two hundred a month?” Her brow furrows and her lips narrow. “What’s the catch?”
“Catch?”
“The space here’s at a premium. I could tell that from the number of people coming and going. You could get two hundred for one square foot and you’re letting her have a whole office that cheap? Come on, don’t take me for a fool. What’s the catch?”
“You are a smart woman, Ophelia. I like that about you.”
“Enough flattery. Get to the point.”
My hand itches to spank her for that level of sass but I must wait. Business first, then pleasure.
“I have an engagement on Tuesday evening and you will accompany me for the night.”
“Oh, I will, will I? What if I’m busy Tuesday night?”