nice for you.”
And I’ve never wanted to fuck something more in my life, but I do it on my terms. Not hers. I step toward her and take in the delicate tilt of her head, as she stares up at me. The natural curiosity and fire in her eyes that drives men like me crazy. She’s honed it well, this girl. Using sex as a weapon to get what she wants, and under any other circumstances, I’d be happy to take advantage of her gratitude.
But not tonight. And not because she expects me to.
I need to know who she is. Why she was staying in that abandoned shithole. Why Julio would send the dirty fed to trace my footsteps.
A cartel boss doesn’t tiptoe around some random girl who shows up out of nowhere. Unless she showed up intentionally. And she knows something she shouldn’t.
Drawing my finger down her cheek, I search those beautiful green eyes for something. Some devilish flicker that might tell me she’s calculated every step of this, but all I see beneath the feigned lust is sadness. “Who are you?”
“I told you who I am.”
Yet, I don’t believe her. I didn’t believe her when Brie told me her name, either. I’d probably have to torture this girl to get the truth out of her, because she doesn’t so much as flinch with the lie, which tells me she has a whole lot of practice in living in someone else’s skin.
“Stay in the room. Don’t leave for anything for a few days.”
“A few days?”
“It’s how long the shop says they’ll have your truck.”
“How did you manage to get ahold of a shop this late, anyway?”
“The owner is a cousin of mine. Distant.”
“I don’t have a few days. I was hoping to leave sooner than that.”
“Why?”
Instead of answering, she tightens her lips, the bullheaded little vixen. “Are you going to fuck me, Thierry, or ask me questions all night?”
A zap of pain hits my skull with the grinding of my teeth, and I force myself to step away from her. “You’re welcome to order food on my tab. Have a good night. Miss James.”
“That’s it? You’re putting me up in some fancy fucking hotel. Having my car repaired for God knows how much. And you’re telling me to sit here and order carry out for three days straight? People don’t just do nice shit for nothing. Men, in particular, don’t. And you’re not a saint. You hustled me into fucking you earlier so what gives?”
“You tell me. Who are you?”
“Never mind. I’m not playing this game. If we’re not fucking, I’m going to bed.”
“In that case, bonne nuit.”
“Bonne nuit,” she mocks, clearly pissed that I’ve rejected her again.
Good.
With a quick dick adjustment, I exit her room, chiding myself as I close the door behind me.
Halfway down the corridor, I dial the club. Miranda picks up on the third ring. “Hi, Mr. Bergeron.”
“I need you to close up tonight. You’re familiar with Brie’s routine?” I gave my manager the night off, and for as much headache and grief as her sister gives me, I have to admit, I hate the nights Brie isn’t working.
“Perfectly familiar, Mr. Bergeron.”
“Good. I’ll check all the numbers tomorrow morning. Make sure Brock gets paid.”
Brock is the club promoter we hired when things first started rolling. Probably the biggest reason the club is booming now. He brought in a whole lot of high rollers, by recruiting beautiful women and some of his social media kingpin buddies. It was a strategy I presented to Julio years back, and fortunately for me, it worked. Otherwise, I suspect I’d be nothing but a pile of bones six feet under.
“I will. He brought in some bigwig from Dubai tonight. You should’ve seen the liquor at the table. Holy shit.”
“Fantastic.”
“Have a good night, Mr. Bergeron.”
With the sexual frustration gnawing at my zipper, I take the elevator down to the lobby. The doors open, and I skid to a halt, muscles tensing like knotted ropes beneath my skin. “Aric.” The dirty fed stands alongside Marcelle, who, as usual, diverts her gaze from mine. “I see you decided to stay on the island for a night.”
“Ah, couldn’t resist the company.” He slaps her on the ass, and Marcelle lurches forward. “You don’t mind, do ya?”
I make clear eye contact with her, and catch the subtle nod, before her gaze shifts from mine again. “So long as it’s consensual and not on my turf.” Tricky girl, this one. And there isn’t much I can