Page 14 of Retaliation

He started to the elevator, flanked by Dennis and Gunnar, falling into step. She trailed behind; her initial excitement dimmed. Did he have to bring Tweedledee and Tweedledum with him?

She ended up in the right corner of the elevator. Even in the constricted space, the two men flanked Scorpion. She knew she shouldn’t be surprised, given his reputation and status as a crew leader, but that didn’t mean that it didn’t irritate the living shit out of her.

Scorpion leaned past her to press the lobby button, leaning so close that his scent overwhelmed her senses, igniting a shiver of excitement that coursed through her, leaving a growing warmth between her legs. Fuck. She was in trouble. She never knew the musky scent of leather and cedar could have that effect on her. It didn’t help that he stared into her eyes as he leaned, his lips a mere two inches from hers.

The confinement of the elevator pressed in on her, and she fought the urge to fan her face with her hand. She swallowed hard, and the movement drew his eyes to her lips. His eyes darkened. Shit. Trouble indeed.

She only dared to move, to breathe, to think once he was standing half behind her again. She stared vacantly at the buttons as the light moved to indicate the floor they were on.

Reaching out a hand, she pushed level three, and the elevator came to a halt. The doors weren’t even open all the way when she slipped out and turned to the three men.

“I’m just going to fetch my things from my office. I’ll be right back,” she mumbled, hating her faltering voice for betraying her.

She needed the space to get some air and cool down. That look Scorpion had given her nearly caused her to jump his bones right then and there, regardless of who was watching. But space was futile as he stepped out of the elevator and turned to the men about to follow.

“We’ll meet you outside,” he said with a sharp tone that stopped them in their tracks.

At the command, their backs went rigid, and they nodded with understanding. They were fucking standing at attention. This man was so fucking powerful that he had that type of control over his crew. And the urge to fan her face returned.

She walked to her office without waiting on him. She didn’t dare look at the few programmers behind their screens. Not that she cared what they thought, but she had a reputation to uphold. She couldn’t allow anyone, not even Scorpion, to see his effect on her.

She made it to her office, all the way down the hallway, and unlocked the door, consciously aware of his boots on the carpet behind her—the breathing she imagined she felt on her neck. Stepping inside, she held the door for him.

Very much aware of the eyes on them, she turned and closed the door and took a deep breath before facing him. She half expected to find him already admiring her action figurine collection behind her desk, but when she

turned, she bumped into him, and the impact pushed her back against the door.

He stepped closer, his body so close she could feel his heat on her skin and his breath on her cheek. He leaned his palm against the door, leaned down to her and whispered in her ear.

“Tell me, Little Viper, am I challenging anyone’s territory right now?” His gruff voice vibrated through her body, sending fire scalding every inch of her skin.

Her knees went weak, and she bit back the moan that threatened to escape her lips. Fuck. She knew what he meant and shook her head—not trusting her voice not to betray her again.

“Good,” he growled. “This is a new suit, and I’d hate to get blood on it already.”

She ducked under his arm and tried to walk to her desk, praying to whoever was out there that her knees wouldn’t give in under her. She got her backpack and helmet from a cabinet, shouldering her bag.

“We should probably meet up with the others,” she blurted when he stepped in her direction again, his eyes locked on her lips, “before they think I kidnapped you or that I’m delaying you with something else.”

“Why not both?” His smile was devilish, hitting her like a kick to the chest.

“I don’t need the blond tree to kick down my door,” she scoffed.

“Yeah, he might do that.” Scorpion laughed and the sound did things to her insides.

She strutted past him, refusing to show any sign of the effect he had on her. She wouldn’t give him that power. She made it all the way to the elevator doors without looking back over her shoulder. With every step, she felt his eyes on her ass, and she might have swayed her hips just a bit more for his entertainment.

The elevator took its time to arrive on their level, not bothered by her pushing the downward button about ten times.

When the doors finally opened, she slipped inside and stood with her back against the opposite wall. The silence between them filled the small space as Scorpion leaned against the side wall, hands in his pockets. He never took his eyes off her, just staring with a cocky grin spread across his lips. The bastard knew she was squirming under his gaze.

She refused to break the silence. She also refused to acknowledge his presence with even a glance in his direction. Instead, she picked at the black polish on her nails, trying to look as nonchalant as possible.

After what felt like hours, the doors slid open into the lobby. Scorpion slipped out with a smile, and before she could join him, Gunnar and Dennis appeared at his side.

The three men stopped in unison and turned to her—waiting for her to join them.

With raised eyebrows, she shook her head. Were they always so in sync? Will they be flanking him the whole time? And was she crazy for leaving with the three of them? She’ll find out soon enough, she decided.

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