Play the good guy.
Play the game.
All while pretending my matchmaking coach doesn’t still taste like the best damn thing in the world.
I take another sip.
The bottle hits the table with a dull thud.
“Yeah, sure,” I murmur, staring at the ceiling. “What could possibly go wrong?”
I don’t hear Dominic approach while I’m lost in my thoughts.
Maybe that’s why I almost jump out of my skin when he reaches out for a beer.
He doesn’t say anything, as usual.
He just sets a flash drive on the table.
I look up at him. We take a drink at the same time.
“You keep it, just in case you need it.”
I blink, confused… though I’m sure this makes sense somehow. “What is it?”
He rolls his eyes, annoyed that I can’t magically read his mind. “Your sister’s turning eighteen. You’re not required to…” He sighs—annoyed by the number of words he’s being forced to use—then finishes, “You’re not required to keep doing this anymore.”
I open my mouth. Close it again.
I have no idea what the hell to think.
I stare at him, and I swear I’d be more shocked if I didn’t already know that Dominic Voss is always ten steps ahead of everyone, even when he doesn’t say a thing.
And I don’t even need to ask what’s on that flash drive. I can already guess.
My freedom.
I swear, I could throw myself at him and squeeze him until he cracks. But… I try to behave in the way that I know will annoy him the least. My version of a thank-you.
I nod, curling my fingers around that tiny object that burns like fire in my fist.
The protective shadow of the most guarded, dangerous, and powerful man I know settles over me.
And he’s just handed me an escape route in case everything goes to hell.
15
Prosecco, Secrets, and Pumpkin Cookies
Sloane
“I’m telling you, Lina… I can’t give you the details. It’s top secret.”
I bite my lip—harder than intended—to keep myself from spilling everything to one of my best friends. Everything.
Like how indecently sexy my new client is.
Like how he’s driving me absolutely insane.
