Chapter 9 #2
“You’re right,” he relented, stepping back away from the door, “I forgot your rules.”
I thought he’d put up more of a fight but was relieved he didn’t.
“Jackson, you and Rivera go like we discussed.” They moved toward the open door cautiously, then stepped out. “The rest of you, back away until we get the okay.”
Mr. Smith did as I ordered, but he paced to and from the bar a few times.
Jackson poked his head in. “Clear!” he yelled. Jackson escorted Donavon out of the plane, his head and gun sweeping the area as Rivera waited at the bottom of the stairs.
“Mr. Smith, you follow me as close as you can. Got it?”
The mischievous glint in his storm-gray eyes almost had me regretting what I’d asked him to do. I knew he was about to turn this into something sensual.
“Miss McLean.” His eyes traveled the length of my body, “I’ll stick to you like glue.”
I thought I’d be repulsed by the bluntness of his remark, but to my mortification, my pussy fluttered. The arousal I felt was quickly squelched with Blackmon and Conrad’s looks. I rolled my eyes to cover the effects of his words. I turned to the open door, pulling my weapon.
“These two.” I thumbed behind me at Conrad and Blackmon. “Will bring up the rear.”
Before we made it fully down the stairs, a black car, followed by another one, pulled in next to the private jet. My hand flew back, causing Mr. Smith to run right into my outstretched hand. I had to will myself to not inspect his magnificent chest.
“Relax, Miss McLean. It’s only the car service I ordered.”
He stepped around me, heading to the second car, while Donavon, Rivera, and Jackson headed to the first car. I let him, but when we settled, we needed to have a word about communication.
“I only ride with her,” he said to Conrad and Blackmon. They both looked at me. I nodded, letting them know it was fine. They strolled to the other car.
“We’re gonna have a talk when I get back,” I threw over my shoulder, hurrying behind my guys to the first car. Donavon was settled inside along with Jackson and Rivera, ready to go to wherever the hell we were heading.
I knocked on the window, it slowly slid down.
“Did you know about this?” I asked Donavon as soon as I saw the top of his head.
“He always uses this particular service.” He shrugged, and I gritted my teeth.
“What the hell happened to letting the security team know what the fuck is going on?” I whisper-screamed, trying to keep my voice steady.
Donavon sighed. “You’re right, but sometimes he doesn’t even tell me until the last moment.”
I glanced over at the waiting car, then back to Donavon. He wasn’t to blame. This was on Smith. It was time for us to lay down some ground rules and boundaries.
“Just let us know as far ahead of time as you can.” I tapped the car twice to let the driver know I was done and made my way back to Smith.
I slid in and slammed the door. “Next time you pull some bullshit like this, it will be your ass.”
A rumble echoed through the car. It took me a while to realize Mr. Smith was laughing. And it annoyed me even more.
“I apologize,” he said. “It’s funny.”
“I don’t see anything funny.” I smoothed my ponytail a few times, trying to calm down. This guy really needed a throat chop or some shit.
He waved a hand at me. “No, you misunderstand, Miss McLean.” All the mirth was gone.
His eyes locked with mine. The scar down his face was prominent and angry.
I didn’t scare easily, but Mr. Smith’s piercing eyes had my heart rate jumping from fear, excitement, and pure lust. “You are not funny,” he said. “This situation is.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I folded my arms across my chest. “You’ve never had a woman tell you no before?”
Before I fully turned to him, he was in my face. “You have no idea who I am. Do you?”
My breath lodged in my throat. I couldn’t speak or move. It was like I was hypnotized or in a trance. His eyes were beautiful this close. I swallowed down the moan crawling up my throat at his closeness.
“You are my boss who agreed to let me run the show,” I said. “Which entails me knowing ahead of time where the fuck we’re going and the car service you use so they can be verified.”
His devilish smirk was back. He leaned out of my space, pulling his phone from his inside jacket pocket. I watched suspiciously as he typed.
“Fair enough.” He turned his phone screen to me. “This is where we are headed.”
I quickly read the screen before it went black. We were headed to a five-star hotel, complete with four restaurants, a spa, a gym, and a whole lot of other amenities I’d never heard of.
“You don’t get out of this car until my men and I check it out,” I ordered.
He didn’t respond, then dialed a number and sat back in his seat.
With him agreeing—well, if you could call it that—I felt a little better about this operation.
But what Mr. Smith said stuck with me. I really didn’t have any idea who I was dealing with.
What I saw in his eyes frightened and excited me.
This assignment was becoming more interesting by the minute. When we reached the hotel, I gave Mr. Smith a pointed look. “Stay in the car,” I ordered, and he grinned.
The guys met me out front, and I directed them into teams of two to walk the perimeter and check the roof.
If Mr. Smith had enemies like Josh and Donavon said, then we needed to cover all bases.
And after today, they would change the car services too.
If he wanted to be spontaneous, it needed to include using random car services as well.
“We’re clear on the roof,” Jackson stated as he and Conrad met back at the car. Five minutes, and Rivera and Blackmon were calling it clear as well.
I nodded, directing Conrad and Rivera to go with Donavon and Jackson and Blackmon to go ahead of us into the lobby.
“Be alert, guys,” I ordered. It didn’t need to be repeated, but it made me feel settled to give the directions.
I opened the door and allowed Mr. Smith to step out. I turned to him, craning my neck up so we were at eye level.
“Follow them. I’ll be right behind you.”
Mr. Smith’s brow furrowed, but he didn’t comment, although I could see he wanted to. He straightened his suit jacket, fastened the buttons, and strolled past me. I shook my head and sighed.
This assignment will be the death of me.