“You’re making a grave mistake by turning me down.”
Did he really just threaten her?
Sure as hell sounded that way to me.
“Okay, it’s late.” Coulter slid his smile from Gordan to Alex. “Why don’t you go on inside and give me and Gordan a minute to talk.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He put a hand on her shoulder andgently brushed her with his thumb. “I actually have some business to discuss with him myself since he’s here. Don’t worry. I won’t be long.”
In a purposeful move, he leaned in and kissed her lips.
With a look that said she hoped he knew what he was doing, Alex turned back to Gordan with a smile. “Goodnight, Gordan.” To the other man, she said, “It was nice meeting you, Cyrus.”
Coulter waited until she was safely inside before dropping the friendly-guy act. With his hands on his hips and his voice dropping low, he demanded, “Why are you really here?”
“I think it’s you who should be answering that question. You’re supposed to be getting everything in place for our deal.”
“What do you think I’ve been doing? I told you Owens’ daughter was flying into Charlotte this week. Her flight lands tomorrow afternoon.”
“Good. I’d like to be there when you and your boys pick her up.”
Coulter shot him down in an instant. “Yeah, that’s not happening.”
“I think you forget who’s in charge, Cole. Let me remind you, it’s me.I’mthe one calling the shots, not you.”
“Not with this, you’re not. Think about it, Gordan. Something goes sideways and you’re there, you’ll be royally screwed.”
“If you’re as good as they say, then things shouldn’t go sideways.”
“No, they shouldn’t, but you know as well as I dohow unpredictable life can be. Look, I’m trying to protect you, okay?”
Damn, it’s hard saying that shit with a straight face.
The asshat arched an arrogant brow. “I appreciate the concern but I pay Cyrus a lot of money to protect me.”
“I’m not talking physical harm.”You moron.“Ever heard of a thing called plausible deniability? I mean, shit.” He raked a frustrated hand through his hair. “You just being in Charlotte right now puts you at risk.”
Cyrus shot his boss a look. “Told you coming here was a mistake.”
The unexpected comment took Coulter by surprise. “You did?”
The bodyguard-for-hire—who happened to be the size of a tank—nodded with a look of annoyance. “As you can see, he didn’t listen.”
“Why not?” he asked Crawford. “What was so damned important you couldn’t wait until after the sale to come to Charlotte?”
Cyrus cleared his throat, the sound pulling Coulter’s attention back that way. In a silent response, the other man’s dark gaze slid from his, to Alex’s door, and back again.
He’s here for her.
His chest grew tight and his stomach began to churn. Crawford had flown all this way because Alex had been avoiding his calls.
Oh, hell no.
“You need to leave, Gordan.” Coulter did his best to convince the sick prick to leave. “Now. Tonight. I don’t care what you had planned for tomorrow; you need tofigure out a lie good enough to explain the digital footprint you made by coming here, then keep your ass in L.A. until the auction is complete.”
“And if my reasons for being here are personal?”
