“I say we wait, and see if Martins makesany more threats,” Luke says.
“What if he’s done making threats andactually tries to…” Preston trails off, not finishing his sentence. “Oliviacan’t take much more of all the security measures. All the looking over hershoulder.”
“That makes two of us,” I mutter.
“So, what do we do?” Cooper asks. “Justhole up in the hotel until we think the threat is gone? I am tired of lookingover my shoulder, too”
“Why don’t we talk to this Mezzo guy faceto face?” All the men stare at me like my head has fallen off my body. “Sorry,just an idea,” I whisper, rubbing my fingers along the shiny black table.
“Actually, that’s not a bad idea.” Lukestates.
“The only thing I’d like to do to RafaelMezzo is punch his lights out.” Kit pounds his fists on the table.
I cover my mouth so no one sees my smile.Who knew Kit had a fighter hidden somewhere in him? I took him for all loverand absolutely no fighter.
“What, we call his office, and ask him totake a meeting with us? We only suspect that Martins aka, the Italian reaperworks for Mezzo.” Cooper argues.
I suck in a breath. “The what? The who?”
“Great. Thanks, Coop.” Cole glares athim. “Come here, he means Melvin Martins.” Cole crooks his finger at me and Igo and sit on his lap.
“He’s only ever been connected to Mezzo’sfamily. We know that’s who he’s working for. I don’t think he’ll meet with us.”Luke taps his fingers on the table. “But we could try.”
“I’m for waiting.” Cole finally chimes inon the conversation. “I told Martins he could tell Mezzo I was done playing hisgame. If he didn’t leave me and mine alone, he’d regret it financially. I meanit. Lawton belongs to Kate, and I doubt she’ll sell it.”
“Not to that jerk I won’t.” I cross myarms defiantly.
“Not even for twenty million?” Race asks.
“I mean, maybe for thirty of forty.” Itry to smile, but it’s weak.
“Cooper’s right. We can’t keep lookingover our shoulder. Security needs to stay in place, but we can’t hide outeither. Tomorrow’s the Mayor’s Gala. I think we all need to make an appearance.To show that we’re good and business is better. If we don’t hear anything bythe first of next week, we can assume he’s dropped the matter. What doeseveryone think?” Cole looks around the room at all the men.
“You’re right, but I don’t think thematter is closed. We’ll hear something. What I’m not sure.” Luke stands up.“We’ll keep the security measures we’ve had in place and then revisit thesituation Monday or when we hear something. Is that acceptable to everyone?”
“I’m in.” Cole raises his hand. He nudgesme.
I guess I’m in too since I poked thelion. I raise my hand. Slowly, everyone’s arms come up.
Luke nods at everyone and then picks upthe conference room phone.
“Can we go home now?” I skim my nosealong Cole’s jaw.
“Yes baby, now we can go home.”
I sigh with relief, “Oh good.”
“Do we need to go over anything else?”Cole helps me stand up, then stands up himself.
“Does this mean we can resume business atLawton tomorrow, Mrs. Holt?” Kit asks with a grin.
“Oh Jeez-Louise, ask my chief executiveofficer.” I turn and look at Cole. “Mr. Holt?”
Cole cocks a smile. “It’s business asusual.”
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN
I kick my shoes off, collapsing on mystomach across the bed. I watch Cole go into the bathroom. What a day. Justwhen I think things are going to get back to normal, I get side swiped. Thisfeels more like being plowed over. The bed dips and then Cole’s cool hands areon the back of my thighs, pushing my dress up over my hips. I glance at himover my shoulder. He’s taken his clothes off and is in his boxer briefs. Hiseyes are dark and fixed on my overly round ass. His hands grasp each mound, squeezinggently. Cole’s touch makes my center ache. Without saying anything, he grips mywaist, sitting me up. He pulls my dress up my stomach but stops when I don’thold up my arms. “Cookie,” he rumbles, part warning, part seduction. He movescloser to me, his lips skimming the back of my neck.
