“You realize that if this gets out, we’re fucked, right?” He was shaking his head. “Horst is an absolute stickler for propriety. You know what the Swiss are like, don’t you?”
I rubbed my eyes. “I’m sure there’s an explanation.”
“I fucking hope so, goddammit!” His voice was growing agitated. “Because we’re dealing with a multinational corporation here. One with government connections. If there’s even a hint of mob involvement, this pile of paper is worth shit!” He dashed his hand over the folder on the desk.
“I’ll speak to her, alright?” I said firmly. Though my voice hid a swirling sense of dread. Something was going on. Something she hadn’t been telling me.
“I suggest you do, my friend. Because we already know you think she’s worth a million dollars. I pray to God she’s not going to cost us a billion.”
Sasha Ramirez
Would I Lie to You?
“Prince? Are you home?” I called out as I walked through the front door. The lights were on inside. Though I wasn’t expecting him to get back before me, his hours had become erratic lately. “Or should I be looking for my Prince?” I added. Either way, it warmed me. I still almost thought of him as two separate men. Prince Walker, the arrogant billionaire who would take me whenever he pleased. Or Alec, the sensitive genius who ran me hot baths and played my body like a harp. The best of both worlds.
I loved them both.
A movement in the living room caught my eye, and I turned to see him silhouetted against the tall window overlooking the city. Twilight was descending, and lights were twinkling beyond him.
“Hey,” I said softly. “Whatcha doing there?” He turned abruptly and stared at me, his eyes hard. “Hello, Prince.” I walked over and smiled up at him. I was still fragile after the shock of yesterday and my gruesome discovery that came with Razortip’s note – I still had no idea what to do about it. Alec would have been better for me now. But either would do. “Busy day at work?”
He had a scotch glass in one hand, and he raised it to his lips before he answered. “Interesting,” he said simply.
I tilted my head. He was being strangely reserved. “Interesting good or interesting bad?”
“Who the fuck is Manolo Gutierrez?” he asked softly, then took another sip from his glass.
I felt my knees go weak. I opened my mouth and then closed it again. “I- He…”Fuck!
His eyes hadn’t left mine. Still cold as emerald chips. “Who the fuck is Manolo Gutierrez, Sasha?” he shouted at me. I gave a tiny shriek and clutched my hand to my mouth. There was no way to hide my terror. No point either.
He knows! My God, he knows!
“He- He has my brother,” I finally choked out. “He took him. He’s going to kill him!” The words were babbling out, but not in any way that was making my case any better. Tears were beginning to prickle. I couldn’t seem to catch my breath.
“Your brother, the drug dealer?” he bit out.
I shook my head. “Emilio’s not like that!” His expression grew colder. “He’s made some mistakes,” I acknowledged, “but he’s a good kid. I swear it.”
He was still towering over me, his posture not softening. “You sent money to these people, Sasha,” he said at last. I nodded, swallowing hard. Why deny it? It was all going to come out now anyhow. “What else have you sent them? Are you doing deals for them, Sasha?”
“Oh, my God! No! No, I would never!” How could he think that of me? But then again, I hadn’t given him much to go on.
“Do you have any idea what this could do to me if it got out, Sasha?” he said grimly.
I shook my head. I didn’t know what else to do. “I’m so sorry,” I whispered. He raked his hand through his hair and spun away from me. Pacing across the room like an animal. “Prince, please…Alec…” My voice was tiny. His shoulders slumped slightly. He stopped and set his glass down on the table so abruptly it shattered. I bit back another little shriek.
“Explain it to me,” he said when he turned back to face me again. He was standing beside the sofa we’d made love on last night. Now bright spatters of blood marred the white leather.
“You’re bleeding,” I choked out.
“It’ll keep,” he replied, ignoring the steady stream from his palm. I walked hesitantly toward him, then changed my mind.
“I have to show you,” I murmured. He stared after me as I raced down the hallway to my room. When I returned, I had the box in my hand. It shook as I extended it to him. When he flipped the lid open, his eyes narrowed, and then he shot a look up at me.
“Jesus! Fuck, Sasha!” he snapped. “And you were going to keep this from me?”
“I…I didn’t know what to do!” My voice was agonized. He rubbed a hand over his eyes and left a streak of blood on his cheek. I so desperately wanted to wipe it away. It was as if his blood was on my hands now.
