I glare at him. "Okay. If you're going to insult my living space, then you should get out. I don't see the point of you coming here just to trash where I live and what I can afford."
He turns to face me, his expression unreadable. "With all the dangerous cases you've been taking, you're not living it up. I was quite surprised when I heard this is where you lived." He glances around again. "Darling, I think it's time for a career change. Because this—" He gestures vaguely. "—is not going to motivate anyone to take on a law degree."
I grit my teeth. "Enough about my living space. What's in the bag?"
He opens the briefcase, pulling out a thick file. The words on the front make my heart skip.
Evidence Against Senator Ivanov.I lunge for it immediately. He lifts it high above his head, and I'm left jumping like an idiot, my fingers grasping at air.
"Give it to me!" I jump again, my hand brushing his chest.
"Did you wear a bra?" he asks, his voice laced with amusement.
I freeze mid-jump, then glare up at him. "You're a pervert. Why were you staring?"
"Hard not to notice," he says, still holding the file out of reach.
I jump again, gripping his forearm this time. "Give. Me. The. File." I have no issues biting him if I have to but I won’t, because I’m not an animal.
He catches my wrist gently, stopping me. "You want this file, and I want something in return."
I cross my arms, breathing hard. "What do you want?"
"A date," he says simply. "With you. Right now.
I blink. "What?"
"When we go on this date, I'll give you the file. And we can all be happy. I want to make it up to you—I didn't like what the senator did. And after you put him in jail, I'll take care of the rest." He pauses. "All I ask is a date."
I stare at him. This man is insane. But I need that file. "Alright," I say quickly. "I'm going to go take a shower and put on a dress. You stay here." I pause, glancing around my tiny studio. "Actually, you know what? Just stay outside. There's no place for me to change, and I don't want you staring at me. So go outside. Take the briefcase and go outside."
He grins. "Come on. I can see you naked now. I mean, I already saw you in a bra. What's the difference if I see you in the—"
"Get out!"
He laughs, then moves toward the door. "I'll be waiting, angel."
I slam the door, lock it, and lean against it for a second, then I rush to the bathroom.
• • •
Twenty minutes later, I step outside. I've showered, thrown on a simple black dress that hits just above the knee, done my hair, added a little makeup. Nothing fancy, but enough to look presentable.
I open the door to see Ilay leaning against the wall in my hallway, scrolling through his phone. When he looks up, his eyes take me in slowly, from head to toe, then back again.
"You clean up nicely," he says. I roll my eyes. "Whatever. Let's get going on that date."
He pushes off the wall, offering his arm like some old-fashioned gentleman. I ignore it and walk past him toward the stairs. Behind me, I hear him chuckle.
Chapter 8
????
ILAY
She looks stunning. Even before we step outside, I have to remind myself I'm not dreaming. That dress, clinging to her like it's been custom-made for my fantasies, nearly knocks the breath out of me. But I play it cool. Mostly.
When we step outside, she immediately glances around and narrows her eyes. "Where are your little goons? Normally I'd see them lurking around, somewhere."
