Chapter 8
The beauty before him nodded.
I want you. I want you underneath me, in my bed, with me burying myself deep in your willing heat until we both expire from lust and satisfaction.
“I want five minutes to explain.” He had to buy himself some time, try to figure out exactly who she thought he was and how to spin things to his advantage.
She let out a huff, crossing her arms over her chest, which pushed her breasts up so that a hint of cleavage showed over the neckline of her white jacket. “Make it quick.”
Zelup’s mind was racing. When he’d heard that voice again, he’d wondered if he’d somehow miraculously stumbled on the doll from the night before. And seeing her confirmed the suspicion. What she was wearing wasn’t flashy like last night, and the mask had hidden some of the details, but he’d never forget her scent, the same scent that was currently driving him crazy.
She obviously thought he was part of a spy network that was having her followed. The idea of some force actively conspiring against her bothered him more than he would like to admit. He’d had to force his rage away to focus on her words. The good doctor thought he had leverage to blackmail her. Now he had to decide which tactic to try.
Should he let her continue to think that such leverage existed and hope that she felt vulnerable enough to let him in, or should he attempt to deny any connection to the group she thought was after her and see if she wanted to team up against them?
Both angles had risks. She would not be a willing participant if she thought he was out to get her. But earning her trust when she was already predisposed to doubt him would likely be an uphill battle, one he might never win.
So maybe he’d follow a third path.
“My employer has been keeping tabs on you,” he began, trying to keep things general until he could get his brothers to help him fill in the gaps. “And they did assign me to try and distract you last night, but—”
“I knew it,” she said, a bleak expression appearing on her face before it was replaced with anger. “You sonsabitches. If the Hills thinks it can get its hands on my research by blackmailing me—”
“I’m not finished,” he said, putting a hand over her mouth to silence the tirade. “Whatever they’re planning, it doesn’t have to go down that way. I know what you’re worth, and I also know what my employer is capable of. Therefore, I’ve come to make you an offer. Bring me on to act as your first line of defense and I’ll make sure they won’t get what they’re after.”
Her eyes widened and she ripped his hand away from her mouth. “You just admitted to working for those bastards. Now I’m supposed to believe that you’d throw away what has to be a very lucrative contract to help me out?”
Zelup nodded. “I think you’re a better bet.”
“Ridiculous,” she muttered under her breath. The little doctor spun away from him, placing her hands on one of the tables and taking several deep breaths.
His pulse was racing, wondering what she’d say next. He felt a brush of something soft against the back of his hand where it rested against his leg, then realized it was the little furry creature’s tail. It passed him, rolling up to the doctor and tugging on her lab coat.
“I’ve just received a transmission,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’m afraid it’s rather urgent.”
“What, Ladee?” she grumbled, her tone distracted.
“It’s the Planetary Power Provider. They intend to shut off power to your lab in twenty-four hours unless payment in full is immediately rendered.”
“In full?” she replied in a shocked whisper, kneeling to the creature’s eye level. “But that’s over a hundred thousand credits.”
“One hundred thirteen thousand, seven hundred and twenty-one credits, inclusive of late fees and a reverse termination charge.”
Dr. Illya bit her lip, sending a strange sensation through Zelup as he watched the interaction. “I haven’t got anywhere near that amount.”
“Then the power will be turned off. They made a point to inform me that the systems affected included life support.”
“So tomorrow, no more air.”
Zelup took a step forward, coughing politely into his hand. “I couldn’t help but overhear. It sounds as if you’ve run into some financial trouble.”
The doctor glanced his way, her eyes narrowing. “None of your business.”
Kneeling across from her, he gave her a courteous smile. “It could be.”
“Look, you just heard my valet. Now that you realize I’m broke, I expect you to rush out the door to inform the Hills of my precarious position. They’ve gotten me just where they want me. So let’s stop playing this game, shall we?”
Zelup’s brow crinkled. She had a point. He’d suggested his services with the feigned assumption of some kind of return on the investment. That was unlikely if she couldn’t even keep the air on. Although he was used to thinking on his feet in terms of military strategy, he wasn’t well versed in deception. He believed it was a ruler’s responsibility to be a moral leader and to practice absolute honesty in all dealings. This was uncharted territory for him.
