He laughed. “I never do and it's one reason she trusts me with everything.”
“Who?”
“Gianna.”
“Is that her name?” I asked. He nodded and my heart deflated. Not the name I was hoping to hear. When the SUV rolled to a stop outside my apartment thirty minutes later, the man withdrew his knife, severed my binds, and handed me back my gun. “Now what?”
Staring out the windshield, he tapped his forefinger on the wheel and I got the feeling he was choosing his words then he looked at me. “She wants you to spend the night with her.”
“What the fuck?” My laugh was incredulous. “She hides her face from me and now wants to spend the night with me. How the fuck is that going to work?” I shook my head. “I fuck hard, Julian but I’m not into kinky shit?”
I didn’t think the man had it in him to laugh and when he did, I had to smile. “That’s her deal. You spend the night with her and the child will be delivered to you at the airport the next day.”
I eyed the man, my mind on a bender. “Why the airport?”
“To protect the child. He’ll be flown in and handed directly to you. Gianna will then get on that flight for her return home.”
“And where is home?”
“Nice try.” He grinned. I didn’t know the man, yet I felt like we’d get on well if we were friends. “So, what’s it going to be?”
While I found her request strange the idea of a hot fuck with a beautiful woman didn’t seem like a bad deal. I balked. “She doesn’t have a penis or three breasts or some weird fetish that she’s seeking casual sex with some random stranger as payment, does she?”
His brow creased, expression solemn, Julian eyed me for a moment before he threw back his head and let out a belly laugh. “You saw that dress, how would she hide any of those...” he paused to laugh before continuing, “those extra things.” He shook his head, sobering. “While I am against this, she has her reasons, and trust me. She’s beautiful inside and out. Although, you’ll only see it if you get to know her.”
He didn’t strike me like a man who’d perv on his younger female boss, and I said, “you care for her, don’t you?”
His eyes on the road outside, he replied, “like a daughter.” He looked at me. “I’ll protect her with my life,” the last part came out as a promise I didn’t doubt.
“What if I refuse her request?”
His shoulders lifted in a slight shrug. “No deal then.”
“You can’t be serious.” I ran a hand through my hair. “A woman’s nephew is missing and you’re playing with his life,” I snapped.
“He’s safe,” Julian replied, his voice just as stern and confirmed they knew the whereabouts of the child. “Look, it’s not a bad deal. I’m sure you’ve fucked a stranger, haven’t you? There are only two ways it can go. Good or bad.”
“You sound like a suspicious salesman, selling me shit I don’t want.” That was a lie. I wouldn’t mind fucking her if it helped the child. I was, however, more intrigued to meet the face beneath the veil. He smirked, further annoying me. “By when do I need to give you an answer?”
“Tomorrow night.” He started the engine, a hint I should get the fuck out of the vehicle.
I climbed out and as I walked around, I realized I had no way of contacting him. “How do I—”
“Go to that ball, Mr. Morrone.” He was already driving away before his words registered.
How the fuck did he know about the ball? Jesus, what the fuck was going on? I dragged both hands down my face and entered the building. Going to that ball would probably give me the answers I needed and thrill the fuck out of Jaz.
