Page 5 of Nine of Swords
“I'm simply stating facts.”
“I took them all out. I can take care of myself.”
“Really? How’s taking care of yourself working out for you right now? And you didn’t stop them all. Not even close.”
I nod knowingly and breathe out an entertained breath. “Right. I didn’t stopyou.”
“You’re correct, but that’s not what I mean. Besides, I'm not with those idiots.”
“Who else did I miss, then?” I challenge him.
“Are you sure you want to know right this second? You’re down to two and a half minutes.”
“Tell me. I only need ten of those to find what I need and go. Not that I plan on leaving with you.”
“There were nine of them in total. You stopped three. The rest are on their way up, two on the elevator, and four using the stairs. They’re armed and ready, and there’s no way you can fight them off with those numbers. So, kudos to you on a whopping thirty-three percent success rate.”
6
Sydney
“I…but I didn’t see anyone else,” I stammer out, shocked by his suggestion that I suck royally at maintaining a finely attuned awareness of my surroundings. “Where were the other six men? And where were you? And how in the hell did you get in here without disturbing all my security measures?”
“We have two minutes, and I need thirty seconds to get us out of here. Let’s collect your shit, then I’ll tell you.”
“No. I want to know now. How did you make it into my place without being hurt? I mean—”
“You mean the semi-lethal traps you set?” he asks casually. “Or is it the fact that the doors and windows show no break-in and entry?”
“Well yes. There's that.”
“First, because you’re nothing if not predictable. There's nothing you set out that I haven't disabled myself before. In the same general locations. Second, I don’t need to waste time breaking into a condo unit close to the penthouse… when I can just rappel down past one floor and walk in through your balcony door. Which was unlocked, by the way. Are you going to stop asking silly questions that can wait until after we evade the men coming for you?”
“No. My questions aren’t silly. And I don't need you.”
“Well, I don't work well with others either. How about you sit this one out, and watch your new bodyguard at work? Consider it an in-the-field, post-hire demonstration.”
“That makes no sense,” I counter. “You know why? Because I. Never. Hired. You!”
“Loosely speaking, I mean. Just... indulge me for a few moments. Which is about all we have left.”
“Happy to do so, especially as it means you'll finally let me go.”
He tightens his arm at my waist and grinds against my ass. “You sure about that? To me, it felt like you were kind of enjoying it.”
“Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Okay. I'm going to let you go, but when I do, I need you to walk directly to the front closet and get your stuff.”
“Why?” I demand.
“Because I say so. Because I don't give orders for kicks. Unless bossing you around excites you, if you know what I mean.”
If I could slap the smug look off his face right now, I would. “I assure you it does not.”
“Your body language tells a different story. You want it, or need it. I'm still figuring out which one. Unless it's both.”
“That's bullshit.”
