With a firm push, he’d be inside of me. I’d focus on his cock, taking inch after inch as he entered me. When he was buried to the hilt, I’d glance back, loving the sight of his powerful body looming over me. Then he’d pull back and push into me again, pleasure rushing through my body. Jason would lift his hand and bring it hard against my ass, and then he’d—
The door to the back of the place opened, and I snapped back to reality. I couldn’t believe I’d let myself get carried away in such a fantasy, and it vanished from my mind as soon as he stepped in.
“Ms. Flowers,” he said in that impossibly low, gravelly voice. “A pleasure to see you.”
Anton Cutter, the man responsible for kidnapping my brother, the one who’d forced me to spy on Jason.
Anton was tall, around sixty-five, with short, silver hair and a beard to match. His eyes were dark, almost black, and his features were trim and sharp. I’d only seen him a couple of times before, and each time he wore a black suit more befitting of a funeral that day-to-day wear. He walked with total composure, as if he were the king of everything he saw.
“Can’t really say the same.” I remained still, not wanting to give away that simply being around him was enough to make me fear for my life. The man was scary as hell—I felt sure he had blood on his hands.
“Come now, there’s no need to be like that.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one with a brother to worry about.”
Anton offered a knowing smirk. “Mike. I’m sure you’re worried about him. But there’s no need for that—as long as you keep bringing me good news, he’ll be safe and sound. And if you complete your task, you two will both be free to move on with the rest of your lives. It’s very simple, really.”
“Simple aside from you threatening my brother’s life.”
Anton said nothing, instead sliding gracefully into the seat across from me and gesturing for the bartender’s attention. “Something to drink?”
“I’ll pass.”
“I’d recommend it. Might calm you down a touch.”
“I’ll be calm as soon as we’re done with this meeting.”
Another sly smile, as if he were amused more than anything else. “You’re a willful woman, April. I like that. Too many girls around here seem like they’d shatter into a million pieces if you jumped at them. But not you—you’re strong.”
I said nothing as the bartender wordlessly placed a glass of something dark in front of Anton, a cherry floating among the ice. He stirred the drink slowly before taking a lingering sip. I was getting the impression he liked to make me wait, liked showing me he was the one in control.
“I’m not interested in compliments,” I said. “I want to get all this over with.”
“I’m sure you do. But you know it’s not that simple. Michael got himself into quite a situation, and he’s very, very lucky that he’s still among the living.”
“At least you’re not a cold-blooded killer,” I said. “You’ve got that going for you.”
Anton flashed another smile, one that suggested I was off the mark with that statement.
“You are aware that Michael stole from me, right?” He shook his head sadly. “Nothing worse than a thief. Actually, I take that back—there’s nothing worse than a thief who steals from his employer. The way I see it, if someone’s trusting enough to give you a job, the least you can do is return that trust. Michael saw things differently.”
“I just want him safe. That’s all I care about.”
Anton nodded. “I’m sure you do. Your loyalty to your family—another trait I admire about you. And one that’s not matched by your future employer.”
“Jason?” I asked. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I won’t get into the dirty details, but rest assured I know what I’m talking about.”
I said nothing, knowing there was no point in arguing with Anton. And more than that, I wanted to get the meeting over with as quickly as possible.
“Anyway,” he said after taking another sip. “I heard you got the job. Congratulations.”
“Almost. I’m on a week-long probationary period.”
Anton nodded. “Sure. But Jason’s careful with who he hires. If he thinks highly enough of you to give you a chance, he likely thinks you’re the right person for the position. Simply show him that you are, and you won’t have anything to worry about.”
He went on. “And Willa’s a wonderful little girl. You’ll have a great time with her.”