Page 43 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“You don’t need me.”

“Your family name opens doors and you know it.”

“All right. Fine. If you play nice and give me what I want, I’d be more than happy to keep slipping you juicy leads.”

He studied her, his gaze far too sharp. “I thought you wanted out.”

“I want my sister out. I like my job.” God. It galled her, the lie. But it was necessary. He needed to believe she still wanted to work for his sorry ass, if she would be of any use to Sterling and his team.

Marcus was silent for a long while. Then he tapped his lip and said, in a cloying tone, “We might be able to work something out. Call off your dog.”

“No chance.” No fucking way. “I’ve had it with your promises. I want Annabelle and I want her now.” And, frankly, she’d had enough of him.

Apparently, he’d had enough of her as well. He swung for the door and she followed. She could only hope she’d bought Ant enough time to bug Marcus’ cell phone and drop the clone into his laptop.

God help them if she hadn’t…

* * *

The change in the tenor of their conversation indicated Roni and Morrow were heading back to the office. Sterling’s nape prickled as he stared at Ant still struggling with the computer.

“Finish it, buddy,” he muttered. “They’re coming back.”

“Hold your horses, I’m nearly there…nearly there…”

Just as the door to the office opened, he snapped the laptop closed and lunged back onto the sofa, snagging his cell phone.

When Morrow and Roni entered the room, he was just where he had been, flicking through his emails. He glanced up and gave a goofy grin. “All done?” he chirped.

“All done,” she said.

“Excellent. There are some epic waves over in Malibu. Is that how you say it, sugar pie?” He shot a look at Morrow. “Dude. Ya surf?”

Morrow, middle aged, dumpy and wheezing from the walk to the conference room across the hall, shook his head.

“Aw, bummer. I hear it’s awesome.” Ant stood and draped his arm around Roni’s shoulders. “Ready, babe?”

Sterling closed his eyes as smooching sounds rattled his nerves.

“All ready.” Roni fixed her attention on Morrow. “I’ll expect to see those papers signed,” she said.

“I’ll expect those juicy stories to come rolling in.”

She frowned. “I’m working on it. I have some good stuff coming down the pipe.”

Morrow lifted a brow. “Do tell.”

“Not yet. I need to firm up some…details first.”

“Don’t take too long.” The fucker smirked. “Your sister isn’t getting any younger.”

Sterling’s gut began to unclench as Roni and Ant headed for the door and Morrow turned back to his desk. But the guy stopped. Frowned.

Fuck. Everything clenched back up.

“Get out of there,” he hissed into the mic.

“Oh, and one more thing, Roni…” Morrow said.