Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 78076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78076 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
The second I returned to Paris, Bleu had news for me.
“We located the manufacturer. In the mountains in the south of Marrakech. They have a full enterprise there, a lab underground so the government can’t see it on satellite. I was able to connect with people aware of its existence, but no one who can get me a meeting.”
“At least it’s progress. Good luck, Bleu.” I took a seat on the throne. “How’s Benton?”
He gave a shrug. “Haven’t talked much.”
I saw his brother’s eyes whenever I looked at him. Steel blue. “You know how newlyweds can get.”
“I don’t think that’s what it is…”
I knew what it was.
“He wants to protect his family… I get it.” After a long stare, he turned away. “I’ll let you know when I find out more.”
I want to see you, sweetheart.
I hope you want to do a lot more than that.
Every time I read her messages, I heard that beautiful voice in my head, felt her fire through the words. It made the withdrawals all that more intense. Meet me at our place. We didn’t need to operate in such secrecy, like this was a clandestine affair that could break up two marriages. No one was watching me. No one was watching her. But if that’s what she wanted, so be it.
That’s our place now?
I thought you’d prefer to be fucked in a palace instead of a dirty motel room.
I don’t know…a sketchy room on the wrong side of town could be fun.
I sucked air through my teeth and felt my dick give a twitch in my jeans. I can’t wait to fuck that mouth.
Don’t forget to fuck my other goodies too.
Other goodies? You’re torturing me.
It’s called dirty talk.
Be careful, sweetheart. You don’t know who you’re dealing with.
Then hurry up and show me.
I clenched my jaw and squeezed the phone in my hand. I was parked outside the apartment, light raindrops hitting the windows, and the hard-on in my jeans was so thick I had to unbutton the top to give it extra room.
Then I had to wait a solid five minutes until I could walk up to the door and knock.
Benton answered the door, his steely eyes regarding me with a hint of coldness.
“You going to invite me in, or…?”
He seemed to debate with himself for a minute before he opened the door. “Just keep it down. Claire is asleep.”
Benton and I sat in the living room in front of the fire, the same room where Benton had told me his daughter was not dead, as he’d feared. Now we shared a decanter of scotch in the armchairs, sitting across from each other as the rain continued to come down.
Benton rested his chin on his closed knuckles, his eyes on the glass decanter on the table between us. “Still moving forward with that idiot plan of yours?”
“Which one? You think they’re all idiot plans.”
His eyes hardened. “The Skull King.”
“Yes, plan is still underway.”
Benton looked like he had a whole lot to say but chose not to say it.
“We found his manufacturer. We’re going to cut him off at the source. Make him work for us.”
“And you actually think that will work?”
“Why wouldn’t it?”
“Because this is the Skull King. He’s your equal. Would you work for someone else?”
I refilled my glass. “Maybe initially.”
“It’s like you want to get killed.”
“Wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world,” I said before I took another drink. “But that’s not the reason for my visit tonight.”
“So it gets better…” He rubbed his palms together, his elbows on his knees.
I crossed my legs, letting one ankle rest on the opposite knee. It would be easy to rush this conversation and sprint to the hotel to shove my dick in Laura’s mouth, but business came first. “Bleu says you don’t talk much anymore.”
Benton lifted his head higher and looked at me. “My relationship with my brother is none of your concern.”
“Is it because he works for me?”
Benton never answered.
“That’s not fair, Benton.”
“It’s not who he works for. It’s who he associates with.”
“You think you’re better than us? Let’s not forget the only reason you’re sitting there is because a condom ripped.”
“You want me to shoot you again?”
The grin that entered my face was unstoppable. “Don’t ghost your brother. He’s the only family you’ve got left.”
“I have a family—a wife and a daughter.”
“You know what I mean. Just because he earns his money in criminal ways doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be able to come over here and spend time with you and Claire. If someone wants to make something happen, they’ll go after me. Bleu is just a foot soldier. I’m the commander. He’s not going to lead trouble to your doorstep. He’s not going to get Claire taken.”
Benton dropped his gaze and looked at the decanter. “I wish he hadn’t gotten involved…”