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I have no intention of being their next hit. Nor will I allow Valentina to get on their radar any more than she already is.

I shove thoughts of their assassins coming for my wife out of my mind and finish dressing. Once I’m presentable, I step into the office and survey the stack of papers across the desk. Kai has his own office here, but it looks like he’s been using mine for a while.

“What’s all this?”

Kai waves the folder toward the files. “Security updates, hiring forms, more security updates. With these fucking hackers running around, we have to outrace them to keep everything secure.”

I sit in the chair and grab the closest file. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. You are ‘these damn hackers,’ and I bet you design something that will keep everything safe.”

Despite the heavy weight of his gaze on me, I keep my head down, reading the file. After arguing with him for months, he’s probably shocked that I’ve said something encouraging.

“I don’t have time for that shit. It’s not my job to chase down teenagers who are too caught up in their own ego to get an actual job and avoid jail time.”

I simply nod and snap the folder shut. As he said… it’s a detailed document about installing security scanners to keep weapons out of the casino. “What about the fight ring? Adding anything new down there?”

“No, it’s unnecessary with the security on the entry doors. We’ll just hire out more guards to monitor those entrances. Besides, anyone coming to a fight knows to expect a little bit of danger. In fact, some of them show up for that edge. Stupid bastards.”

There’s a soft knock on the door, and I lock eyes with Kai.

“Come in,” he calls.

The door opens slowly to reveal a small woman with killer curves and long loose curls which brush her hips. My mind rebels as she draws closer.

“Sir, you called for me,” she addresses Kai.

He meets my eyes purposely this time. “She’s for you. I thought you might want to blow off a little steam.”

I grit my jaw and clench my fists on top of the desk. “What the fuck makes you think I’d want another woman? I’m married.”

He glares and leans over to brace his elbows on his knees. “Yes, but shit is crazy right now. You might want to take some of that rage out on someone else…”

The woman flinches beside Kai. Her eyes meet mine, worry etched in every line.

“I’m not going to hurt you. Don’t worry about what he’s saying.”

Kai huffs and shoves off his knees to stand. “You need to get yourself under control. If you won’t beat the shit out of me to do it, use her. I paid her well enough that she’ll be happy to accommodate any request.”

Even though he’s staring at me, I don’t doubt his message is for her.

He leaves, and I’m left with a stranger in my office, whose floral perfume is so strong it’s threatening to choke me. “What’s your name?”

She gulps and then spreads her lips wide in something between a smile and a grimace. “Emma. It’s Emma.”

I wave at the chair. “Sit, Emma. I won’t touch you, and you can keep your money. My friend out there is an idiot.”

She sits on the very edge of the leather chair like she’s ready to bolt. “Well, what do you want me to do then? I can just get under your desk, suck you off…”

I frown and stare at her. “No, I’m good, thanks. As you heard me tell him, I have a wife at home. I don’t need your services in that way.”

After a heartbeat, she gives a little shrug and then scans the files on the desk. “What’s all this? Maybe you need some filing help.”

I scan the built-in cabinets on the opposite side of the room. Well, she did already get paid… a lot more than she would be for doing filing work. “Have at it. Maybe you can clear some of this shit off my desk for me.”

She eagerly drops the chain strap from her purse and leaves it on the chair. I study her, watching as she reads the labels but refuses to open the folders to discern the contents. Smarter than she looks, this one.

I open my phone and answer some emails. While I’ve been dealing with Valentina’s disappearance, I’ve let things slide, as evidenced by the mess in my office. It’s time to get back to work, at least until the council makes its next move against me.

Twenty minutes later, Emma’s standing in front of my clean desk with her hands on her hips. She looks almost proud as she waits for me to acknowledge her.

Kai chooses that moment to saunter back into the office with a grin. Which slips off his face the second he studies the scene. “You used your hooker to do the filing?”


Tags: J.L. Beck Crime