“It’s late, shut it down for the night.” He ignored her and spoke to Remi. “Come back to it with fresh eyes in the morning. Even if there is a list, you guys can’t do anything about it tonight, right?”
“Yeah.” Remi rubbed the inside of his wrist, one of his tells for when his head was hurting and he didn’t want to say anything. Thankfully, this time, Gunnar didn’t have to insist or give a direct order as he turned to Jorja. “He’s right. It’s late and I haven’t slept in a couple of days.”
Gunnar’s jaw tightened. He was an idiot. He should have noticed that Remi was pulling all-nighters. He was the older brother; it was his responsibility to ensure the other three were looked after. It didn’t matter that they all had been some of the deadliest operators on the planet. To him, and more importantly, to their mom, they were still little boys who needed corralling and looking after.
“Okay, if you’re sure.” The computer screen in front of their guest went dark as she pressed something on the monitor. “I’ll let this run in the background. What time do you want me back here in the morning? And can you call me a cab?”
“No cabs, you are staying here.” She couldn’t possibly think he was going to allow her to leave, could she?
CHAPTER ELEVEN
God,I’m such an idiot.
She should have just called the cops or sent them an email or sent someone an email while she was on the computer. This right here was why she’d never make it in a horror movie. She’d be the geek who’d get seduced by the fancy ass computer systems and get herself killed, every single time, no matter how many times you rewatched the movie or yelled at the TV. And no matter how fancy schmancy these guys’ computers were, she should not have allowed herself to be seduced by them. She narrowed her eyes at Gunnar. “You can’t keep me here.”
“I can.” The jerk smirked in her direction. “There is no way out unless one of us opens the door. If one of my people opens the door, I’ll fire them, and they’ll lose their security clearance which means they won’t work in the business again. They don’t want that to happen.” He raised an eyebrow toward where Remi was watching them. Silent communication passed between them and Jerk-God—that was a good description for him, Jorja decided. Jerk-God—she’d call him that in her head from now on—nodded, then turned to her. “Come with me.”
“No.” Did he seriously think she was going to be all meek and crap about this? He’d lost his mind if he did. “I’d rather find some food and go to bed, please. I find the present company distasteful.” At least if she was in a room alone, she could figure out a way to leave or escape.
“That’s what’s gonna happen.”
Wait, what?
She’d been convinced something horrible was going to happen. What that horrible would be, she had no idea. Her imagination, now that she wasn’t engrossed in the computers, was running riot in her head. And to top it all off, her belly chose that moment to grumble loud enough that everyone in the room could hear it. “I’m not going anywhere with you.”
Gunnar nodded pointedly to her stomach, which let out a traitorous rumble. “You didn’t eat dinner,” he told her. “You have to be hungry by now.”
“I had a bratwurst in Germany before I crossed the border into Switzerland.” She glanced at her watch but was too tired to calculate the math. “It wasn’t that long ago.”
“What is it with you tech geeks not remembering to eat and then lying to me about it?” Gunnar strode across the room and tugged her out of her chair. “She’s done, Remi. I’ll bring her back in the morning.” He turned back toward the door. His grip on her arm ensured she had to go with him or have her shoulder dislocated, which was an ouch she didn’t need right now.
Escaping would be impossible if she was hurt. Even she’d watched enough TV and read enough books to know that. “You’re hurting me, asshole.”
“Shit, sorry.” Gunnar immediately stopped dragging her after him like she was a runaway cat. She refused to beintimidated as he towered over her. “Will you come with me, and I’ll get you food and somewhere safe to sleep?”
“There isn’t anywhere in this place which is safe with you around.” She didn’t trust her own judgment, never mind the sincerity in his voice.
“Jorja?” Remi interrupted them. “You can stay in my apartment if it makes you feel safer.”
Thank you, Remi.It was probably a stupid move to trust him, but she did. Plus, it meant not having to be next to the oh so sexy Jerk-God. “Yes?—”
“No,” Gunnar snarled at the same time.
What the hell did he have to be mad for? Did he think Remi wasn’t capable of making sure she didn’t escape? “Thank you, Remi. I’d love that.”
See, I can do polite. Even when I’ve been frick-fracking kidnapped.
“Absolutely not.” Jerk-God propped both his fists on his waist.
Now was probably not a good time to mention that he reminded her of her mom when she was annoyed. But unlike her mom, she dared to go toe-to-toe with him. “Why not? Remi will make sure I don’t leave.”
“No.” He really needed to see someone about that growly stuff coming out of his mouth. Take some honey, it might sweeten his grump. “Do I need to toss you over my shoulder again? Because that can totally be an option.” He tugged her toward him until her nose almost bumped into his chest.
What a dick.
No wonder his wife divorced him.
“Fine.” Let him make of that what he wanted. She snorted a short laugh.
