Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70370 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 352(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 235(@300wpm)
My eyebrows rose in surprise. “A job?”
“Your name was given to me by Barry Sinclair. He says you are the best demolition man he knows.”
I was surprised Barry would give out my personal information.
“I work for Barry on occasion. If you need a building demolished, you can hire his company and request my services. I don’t do freelance.”
“This is a special job.” Ivan’s eyes were frosty, his tone equally so. “Private.”
“Not interested.”
“What would make it interesting?” he asked. “Name your price.”
“There isn’t a price. I’m not interested.”
“There is always a price.”
“Not for me.”
“I would give you the best crew. Everything you needed to complete the job. My nephew would make sure you had everything.”
I paused, then asked a question. “Alex, I presume?”
Ivan pursed his lips and nodded. “I know he was here. My apologies. He gets ahead of himself.”
I stood, indicating the meeting was over.
“As I said, if you want a building demolished, hire Barry’s company. Request me. If I am available, I will work on it. If not, his company is top-notch. He can bring down a building without my input.”
Ivan remained seated. “This job requires the highest discretion and talent. I would make you a very rich man for one job.”
I had zero desire to have anything to do with this man. The second I’d walked in the room, every instinct screamed at me to get out. He was dangerous. His card lied. He lied. This wasn’t about construction. This was something else. He may have gotten my name from Barry, but he was here for another reason.
One I wanted no part of.
“I do not need a job from you to be wealthy. And as I said, you’ll get the best from Barry’s company. I’m not interested. Thank you for the offer, and I wish you a pleasant afternoon.”
He unfurled himself from the chair, anger drawing his mouth down and making his eyes narrowed and furious. “I had hoped you would be reasonable.”
“I am very reasonable. I’m simply not accepting jobs from strangers. I’m a busy man.”
He glared at me. “Yes. Your gym. Your cologne. Your paintings,” he said softly. “Quite the Renaissance man, are you not, Mr. Vulpe?”
I stiffened, my first instincts correct. If he was only looking at hiring me, he wouldn’t have dug so deep into my life. But I refused to let him see my fears.
“I stay busy. Now, if you will excuse me, gentlemen, I have other things to attend to.”
Ivan crossed his hands in front of him.
“Is that your last word? You are saying no to me?”
I nodded. “I am not interested in a job working with you.”
He laughed. “It would not be with, it would be for.”
“Which is why I am saying no. Good day.”
He studied me. “We will meet again.”
“I hope not.”
He spun on his heel and left, his sidekick following him out the door, leaving it open. I walked to the door, watching as they left. I raced up the steps to my office, studying the cameras that tracked their departure. Ivan stepped into a black car, the windows tinted so dark they were impossible to see through. His sidekick followed him, and the driver sped away. I got the plate and sat back, rubbing my lip.
My dream from days before floated through my mind. I hadn’t been involved in a building being demolished for months. Then I had that dream and he showed up not long after? I shook my head to clear it and to stop my thoughts. It was a coincidence—that was all.
Still, I decided to head to Elite. Use the computers in the basement to do some digging. Then, I would head home to have dinner with Sofia.
I did what I could at Elite, my mind too anxious to concentrate. I got nowhere with my inquiries, so I gave up and headed home. The need to see Sofia was overwhelming. I wanted to call her and hear her voice, but I knew she was sleeping. Tonight was her last night, and she was always tired by the time the last shift rolled around. By going home, I could look in on her then make some more calls.
She was the priority.
Perhaps then, I would discover why a Russian mobster was pretending to be someone else and wanted to hire me.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Egan
I opened Sofia’s door quietly, grateful I had a key. I peeked into her room, glad to see her asleep. She was under the blankets, except for one sexy leg that rested on top. By now, I knew better than to try to tuck it in. She would kick it off almost immediately.
I went closer, matching my breathing to hers. Long, slow, deep breaths that helped me to relax. I could smell her perfume, the light, citrusy scent filling my lungs. She was fine. Safe.
I wanted to wake her, hear her voice. Make love to her. But I left her alone. I would come back in a couple of hours and make her dinner. Drive her to work and pick her up in the morning. I decided I would take the day off tomorrow and spend it with her.