“You know what will happen if you try.”
“I might like it.” As she winked and backed away, I eased from the table.
She knew exactly what the incoming text meant. She plastered on a smile and blew a kiss before returning to the front. She’d purposely insisted on a public meeting place, her place of business.
With a few of my soldiers dressed in casual clothes strategically placed in the coffee shop, including two female employees from the admin pool, a cover was in place. It was my hope that Zane’s arrogance and determination would push him to act on his need to finish what he’d started with her.
Fortunately, with the oval glass in the door leading to the front, I had a perfect vantage point. She deserved a few minutes with her attacker. Besides, the place was surrounded by men working for the Prince family.
Nothing would happen to her.
Unfortunately, that didn’t curtail my anger in the least. Only seconds after she’d walked out the door, holding her head high and reeking of the delicious exotic perfume I’d purchased for her, my protective nature was turning into something much darker.
I stood by the door with the weapon in both hands, able to overhear her conversation given the wireless speaker attached to her phone and positioned in the back room.
An entirely different way of handling the situation than my father would have ever considered.
Zane wasn’t exactly the man I’d thought he would be even though I’d seen a couple of pictures. He’d certainly lost his boyish charm and good looks, giving way to wealth and an opulent lifestyle that obviously included good food.
My little wildcat was still pretending with a customer, one of my highly trained men, when Zane walked in.
I stood in the shadows, listening to the conversation. Almost instantly, my fingers were itchy for a very different reason.
“Well, well. Don’t you look fabulous,” Zane said as he approached the counter.
“And you look like something the cat dragged in,” Josette answered.
“No need to be so hostile. You called this meeting.”
Zane leaned over the counter and instantly, she recoiled. But she held her ground. “Yes, I did. For a very good reason. You assaulted me, Zane. All those years ago you thought I was easy picking.”
“I did no such thing. You craved what I gave you. But you were a very bad girl trying to disappear.”
My entire body tensed. While the promise she’d insisted on remained firmly lodged in my mind, I wasn’t certain the rest of me would comply but for so long.
“Is that what you thought? When you were sticking your hands under my panties and I was screaming for you to leave me alone, you thought I was begging for it?”
“Absolutely. You’re the kind of bitch who likes it rough.” Zane laughed.
I had my hand on the door.
Somehow, my lovely potential bride to be managed to toss her head over her shoulder toward me. Warning me to stay cool. No,that wasn’t quite right. She was threatening me with her killer look.
“You know, when you ran off, I was pissed. Furious with you.”
“Why, because I’m supposed to know my place? The good little wife to be shared by the special Elite members of the Brotherhood?”
She’d managed to surprise him, laughing when his expression turned cold.
“Yes, I know all about your little social club, Zane. I know about so many members and all the sick things you do. I was lucky and escaped while all those poor women weren’t. You know the ones I mean, the women you raped? The women you beat up?”
“You fucking bitch. Are you trying to blackmail me?”
“I’m simply telling you I have proof of rape, corruption, extortion, and other heinous acts.”
Zane laughed. “What proof could you have?”
As planned, she pulled out a few choice photographs provided by Greg, sliding them across the counter. Also as planned, two of the guests tossed their cups into the trash.
