Kade blinked up at me, his eyes full of surprise. “Just like that, princess.”
Both our chests heaved. I looked up realizing we had acquired an audience. Machine had his arms crossed on his chest with a smug smirk on his face. “Kade, it seems like the new girl can kick some ass. Probably a good idea not to piss her off at the office.” The group laughed at Machine’s comment.
Kade closed his eyes and sighed. “Shut up, Machine. Badger has been showing you your maker this entire class.”
That earned an eye roll from Machine. I chuckled along with the rest of the class. Everyone got back into their spots, leaving Kade and I.
His hands tapped my thighs, teasing me. “You going to get up, or are you to stay there? If you stay, we may need to move to another room.”
My face blanched before I sprang to my feet. “Sorry!”
He chuckled and gazed up at me. “Don’t be sorry. I don’t think I’d mind you being on top.” He shot me a wink before getting up.
Oh, sweet baby Jesus, I was so screwed. Kaden Romano would be the death of me. Cause of death: sexual frustration.
TWELVE
KADE
Machine and I limped out of Domino's Gym with me sporting a few new bruises and Machine with a bruised tailbone.
“Fuck, man, I think Badger broke my ass bone.” He rubbed his lower back, trying to ease the pain.
I couldn’t hold back my laugh. “Quit your bitchin’. You did this to yourself by antagonizing her.” I clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Maybe you will think before you speak next time.”
Machine groaned as he got into the driver’s side of his Durango while I got into the passenger side.
As much as I tried to stay focused on my intercepted artillery, my mind seemed to wander back to Evelyn’s panicked face when I had my hands around her throat. I was grateful that she was able to work throughher emotions with me. Her trust was an olive branch I didn’t deserve after the way I’d treated her in the office.
A knock sounded before Machine and his dog Lucy entered my home office. Lucy didn’t waste any time coming over to me, her butt wiggling from her excitement.
Lucy was a beautiful Rottweiler pup I had rescued for Machine after he came home injured from the war.
Although she was Machine’s dog, she always listened to me as much as him. She was as much my dog as his, especially since I had two dog beds in the penthouse—one in the office and one in the living room.
After getting her pets and ear scratches, she walked over to her bed and lay down. Machine plopped down on the sofa with a loud sigh.
Turning to him in my seat, I gave him an expectant expression and pinched the bridge of my nose. “I’m guessing by the look on your face I am not going to like what you have to say.”
Machine put his interlaced hands behind his head. “That’s a safe assumption.” He paused. “I've received word that Ricci is planning a shipment in the next couple of weeks.”
“Okay, this is good news. We can strike back,” I said, not understanding where he was going with this.
“The Sinaloas want a meeting with us and Ricci.”
My eyes bulged. “What the fuck for?!” I roared.
Lucy's head perked up at the noise.
“Miguel wants a new business arrangement and alliance that includes Ricci’s ‘merchandise’ after the stunt pulled with Moretti.”
This wasn’t good news. The Sinaloa Cartel’s leader, Miguel Stefanos, was a lethal mother fucker who had nobusiness entering the skin trade. If he entered the ring along with his drug and gun smuggling, he would be untouchable.
Beneficial for me, but not when I was trying to take down Ricci while making an alliance.
“Cazzo!”I cursed. I sucked my lip into my teeth before asking, “When?”
Machine sat forward and rested his forearms on his thighs. “In four days. I requested to have it here where it’s the most secure.”
