Page 25 of Wicked Intention

She’d claimed to be his fiancée? Years of experience kept Finn from showing his surprise, kept him from glancing over at Zo, but it was a near thing. “Her strength is one of the first things that attracted me to her.”

“You call it strength? I call it disrespect.” Silva shrugged, clearly putting the subject aside. “Let’s discuss a few things, Señor Finley.”

Finn gestured toward Zo. “Before we do, I want her beside me.” And the fuck away from the asshole. He needed her close, where it would be easier to keep her safe.

“I’ll allow it.” Silva nodded toward the bodyguard gripping Zo’s arm.

Zo didn’t waste any time pulling free and crossing the room, wiping the blood from her mouth and chin as she moved. Finn shifted her to his left side. It probably wouldn’t matter because he didn’t have a weapon, and there was nothing handy in the room, but he wanted his dominant arm clear.

He waited. This was Silva’s show.

The man stared at them dispassionately long enough for it to feel uncomfortable, and it took a lot these days for Finn to reach that point. Zo edged closer, and before he thought it through, he slid his arm around her waist, offering her comfort.

As if that were some signal, the older man’s intensity easedup. “Señor Torres is considering your proposition, but he wants more information.”

Of course, he did. It was why Finn had expected a million questions the first time he’d met with Silva. “Ask whatever you need to know.”

“I want the truth,” Silva admonished. “Even though she stands beside you, it doesn’t mean you have carte blanche to lie.”

“Understood.” Finn gave Zo a squeeze. He hoped it appeared as if he were reassuring her, but it was a warning. He knew her opinion on gunrunning, and the last thing he needed was Zo to make her thoughts public. She rested her hand over his on her waist, and he took it to mean she got the message.

“What weapons are obtainable?” Silva asked

“Anything the US Army has stockpiled is open for negotiation.”

“What if we’d like the M4 replacement?”

“I’d say, with all due respect, Señor Silva, the M4 replacement isn’t even a prototype yet, and I can’t get you a weapon that doesn’t exist.”

The older man nodded and proceeded to grill him on availability, the timeline for delivery, how long the pipeline would remain open, and on and on. Zo had been tense, her muscles rigid as the questioning had started, but now she leaned into him. Finn suspected she was weary, but to the men in the room, it should appear as if she’d snuggled against his side.

At long last, the arms dealer wound down. “I will share this information with Señor Torres. I’ll be in touch when he makes his decision.”

Finn inclined his head. “Any idea when?”

Silva’s lips pursed briefly with displeasure. “Señor Torres needs time to decide whether or not to work with you. I suggest you practice patience, Señor Finley. I don’t want to seeyou or your woman following me again. I also recommend you curtail your search for another buyer.”

“I’ll do as you advise,” Finn said carefully. He didn’t relax, but it sure seemed as if he and Zo were going to be allowed to walk out of here.

“Be aware that there will be no more warnings.” Without waiting for a reply, Silva addressed one of the bodyguards behind him. “Escort Señor Finley and his fiancée to the door,por favor.”

“Gracias,señor. I look forward to hearing from you. Soon, I hope.”

Silva frowned and made an impatient gesture with his hand. The bodyguard gave Finn a shove.

Finn put Zo in front of him as they headed for the exit, wanting his body between her and the hired gun. There was a brief pause in the courtyard as his weapons were returned, and he took the time to conceal them beneath his fatigues, but he kept her shielded the whole way. With that done, he took her hand, hanging on tightly enough to make sure she didn’t pull free before moving them to the sidewalk. Without a glance back, he headed toward the street where he’d left the car, tugging Zo along with him.

When they were out of sight of the house, Zo said, “You can let go now.”

“No, I can’t.”

“Are they following us?”

“No.”

She huffed out a long breath. “Then why are you—”

Without slowing, Finn turned a glare on her. “You and I, Zofia, are going to have a chat, and if I let go of your hand, you’re going to try and disappear on me. I’m in no mood to chase you down,loquita.”

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