Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
What the fuck just happened?
The blood spreading across the man’s chest was the only thing occupying my mind on our way back to the hotel.
I kept telling myself that it was necessary to keep my boss safe, but that didn’t sit right with me.
I wasn’t sure why this was weighing on my shoulders so heavily.
I’d killed before. Sometimes my job warranted it, but I couldn’t shake the feeling I had done something wrong.
Mr. Smith was on the phone. I caught bits and pieces of the conversation. I was usually observant. Listening. Watching. But right now, I couldn’t focus.
The driver pulled into the turnabout, cut the engine, and stepped out of the vehicle.
I jerked the handle on the door, pushing it open.
I was so rattled I forgot to make sure our surroundings were safe for Mr. Smith.
Before I realized my mistake, I was headed through the door.
I halted inside the lobby, took a few deep breaths, and scanned the area.
“Miss McLean, you’ve been quiet.” His deep bravado vibrated through my body. I’d just done my worse for this man, and I was still attracted to him. My body betraying me pissed me off.
“Trying to do my job,” I answered, leading him to the elevators.
I pushed the button. Luckily, there wasn’t a wait.
I stepped into the car, and Mr. Smith followed.
The doors closed, and I felt as if the air was sucked out of my lungs when he pulled me into an embrace.
My fucking body melted into his. My curves fell against his hard muscles.
Fire coursed through my veins, and my face grew hot.
Moisture pooled between my legs. I thought I’d erupt when I felt pressure on my neck.
I gritted my teeth together to hold back a moan.
“You did good,” he whispered, then let me go like nothing happened.
Praise seemed foreign coming from the man I was around these past few days. He was ruthless and cutthroat in business and in life from what I gathered. The man in front of me, with tenderness in his eyes, baffled me.
I cleared my throat of the lump stuck there. “Just doing my job.”
“Regardless, you did what needed to be done.”
I studied Mr. Smith, but the elevator dinged before I made a fool of myself.
I scanned our floor before I allowed him to exit the lift.
For once, he didn’t smirk, snort, or push back.
We headed down the hall toward our rooms. I desperately needed to get away from him, or I would do something I’d regret.
It was like I had no control over my body when he was around. I hated it.
He was so close I could feel the heat from his body. I stopped at my door, breaking protocol by not walking him to his and checking the room. With everything that happened, I needed space between us to think. Meditate. Or be by myself and not think about him.
I pulled out my card from the inside pocket of my suit jacket and gave it a wave over the keypad. An electric current slid up my arm where he touched me.
“Meet me in the lobby at seven.”
Gently prying my arm from his grasp, I refused to look at him.
“For what?”
“You’re my date tonight, remember? Your dress should be laid out on your bed along with shoes and other accessories.” He turned to walk away. “And Miss McLean?”
“Yeah?”
“Wear exactly what I bought.” He sauntered the ten feet to his room and entered, closing the door without giving me a chance to respond.
I pushed open the door to my room, letting it slam shut.
I didn’t want to be his date tonight. I didn’t want to go to any fancy party.
I didn’t feel like dealing with anyone. What I needed was to decompress.
I’d killed before, but this left the blood in my veins cold.
I felt sick. There was nothing about any of this that was right.
Slowly walking through the living room area toward my bedroom, I understood why this place boasted five stars.
The living room itself was as big as my entire apartment.
The curtains covering the bay windows were white and sheer.
The view was spectacular. I continued to the bedroom, stopping in my tracks.
The most beautiful sequined emerald gown I’d ever seen was laid on the bed.
I picked up the dress, holding it to my chest and facing the mirror.
The plunging neckline would show the inner curve of my breasts.
The split up the left side would surely end where my thigh and hip met.
I laid the gown back on the bed, spying the shoebox on the floor.
Reaching for the box, I slowly opened it like it was some sort of long-lost treasure.
Inside was the most beautiful pair of leather heeled sandals I’d ever seen.
I was sure they cost a fortune. They were the perfect size, as was the dress.
How did he know?
I was curious to read what the notecard propped against the mirror on the dresser with three more boxes said.
I picked up the notecard with my name scrawled across the front.
Not Miss McLean, but Tisha, in neat but hurried handwriting.
Flipping the card over, my eyes skated across the small command.
Wear the dress and the jewelry.
Steven
Dropping the notecard on top of the dress, my hands trembled with anticipation of what was in those boxes. I picked up the square box the size of a book. All the boxes were black with a silver D and L intertwined with one another in calligraphy beautifully written on the top.
I ran my fingers across the lettering, then opened the lid.
The air lodged in my lungs. I’d never seen anything so lovely.
The diamond necklace sparkled like stars in the night sky.
Gently, I laid that box down and picked up another.
This one was much smaller than the first. A diamond bracelet matching the necklace was nestled on top of black velvet in the bottom of the box.
I placed it next to the other one and picked up the last box.
Diamond earrings to match the other two gifts glimmered.
I settled them next to the other two boxes.
I marched to the door. I couldn’t accept any of these, and I wanted to know why he thought it was okay to buy them.
I wasn’t his girlfriend or his mistress… but his employee. It was inappropriate.
I swiped my keycard from the counter and flung open the door. “Hey Tisha,” Dennis called, waving from the end of the hall where his room was located. My plan to have a heart-to-heart with Mr. Smith would have to wait.
“Hey, what’s up?” I answered as Aaden, Jeremiah, and Alex came out of their rooms and into the hallway.
Dennis cocked his head at me, a confused look on his face. “The briefing about tonight. We need to know what’s up.”
Damn, I’d forgotten about that. Even though I was spooked about the shooting earlier, then the shock of the dress and jewelry, we still had a job to do tonight.
“Follow me,” I ordered, heading back toward my room.
All of them filed through the door, and Aaden whistled. “My room looks nothing like this shit.” He faced Alex. “Does yours?”
“Hell, no. ?Cómo conseguiste esta habitación?” he whined.
“I didn’t do anything.” I waved him off. “And never mind any of that. Let’s talk shop. What happened when you went with Donavon?”
I needed to know what led to the hostility today. I wouldn’t say anything about the shooting if I could help it.
Dennis shook his head. “That man was not budging. He said Mr. Smith was a criminal, and he was tired of giving his money to help fund him.”
“Yeah, I thought it was going to get rough there for a minute, but Donavon is an excellent negotiator, and he talked the dude down,” Jeremiah replied.
I sighed, shaking my head. “No wonder they were gung-ho when we got there.”
“Why? What happened?” Aaden asked
All their eyes were on me. I wasn’t as good at schooling my emotions as I thought I was.
“Mr. Smith hit one of them. I mean, just clocked him. I think he broke his jaw or something.” I made my way to the bar. Reliving what happened was giving me fucking anxiety. “Anyone want a drink?”
“No,” Dennis answered for everyone else. “We’ll be on duty soon.”
He stood beside me. Out of everyone, Dennis kept the closest eye on me since we took this job. “What are you leaving out?” he asked.
I took a sip of the vodka and orange juice and shook my head. “Nothing. Just he was super fast for such a big man. Before I even moved, he was on that guy.”
“Well, I’m sure he didn’t get that scar down his face for nothing. He’s got them on his knuckles too,” Aaden observed.
“A brawler for sure,” Alex agreed.
“Well, what about tonight?” I took another sip. “We need to coordinate with the mayor’s security.”
“Already taken care of. While you were with Mr. Smith, Donavon set up a meeting,” Jeremiah explained.
I sighed. “So, what’s the setup, then?”
Alex strolled to the window and stared for a second.
He shook his head. “Damn, this shit is sweet.” He turned to everyone.
“Basically, there are hella areas a gunman can hide to take a shot at any of the bigwigs who will be at this thing tonight. We’ll have to alternate in teams, especially since you have to go as his date.
” The pointed looks didn’t go unnoticed.
Donavon must’ve told them. I was just as surprised and didn’t like the idea myself.
“Yeah, not too happy about that, either. I was going to discuss that with Mr. Smith when you guys caught me in the hall,” I explained.
Especially when I’m attracted to him.
“Is there anything else I need to know?” I finished off my drink and headed to the kitchen, putting the empty glass in the sink.
“No, only that we are supposed to get there an hour before guests arrive to make sure things are clear for you and Mr. Smith,” Aaden relayed. “Once it’s all clear, we call Donavon, and he calls Smith, giving him the okay for you two to come.”
I nodded, satisfied they had everything under control. “Make sure you guys wear your earwigs at all times. Communicate every thirty minutes unless something’s wrong. A simple ‘clear’ will do,” I ordered. “Is there anything else?”
I was running on empty. The adrenaline coursing through my veins from earlier had long since run out, leaving me completely drained.
It was clear I needed to discuss boundaries with Smith.
There was no way I could at the moment. I didn’t have the energy for the fight. And there definitely would be a fight.
We were like oil and water. Steven Smith was the type of man who was used to getting his way, and I was used to giving orders. Not a good mix.
“Not that I can think of,” Dennis stated, looking around at everyone else in case they had something to add. The guys shook their heads.
I made my way to the door to let them out. “Well, if that’s the case, I’m going to take a nap before this.” I rolled my eyes, opening my room door. “Shindig.”
The guys filed out, saying their goodbyes.
I shut the door and headed back to the bedroom.
I glanced at my bags sitting in the corner of the room and then at the beautiful dress laid out neatly on the bed.
I picked it up and hung it in the closet before folding the comforter back, kicking off my shoes and sliding under it.
The softness of the mattress folded around me, conforming to my body, was everything I needed.
I was jerked awake. The knocking at my room door was becoming louder and more persistent with each passing second.
“Damn it! I’m coming,” I yelled, pushing myself up from the bed. I rushed out of the bedroom, hurrying to the door. Flinging it open revealed Dennis standing on the other side.
He pushed past me.
“What is it?” I asked.
Dennis kept his back to me. He paced in front of the window, then suddenly turned. “Look. I know it’s none of my business, but Tisha, be fucking careful with Smith.”
He started to say something else, but I threw my hand up, halting him. “You’re right. It isn’t any of your business, and you know me, Dennis. I’m a fucking professional.”
He dropped onto the couch. For the first time, I noticed his clothes. He was dressed in a black tailored suit with a black bow tie. His shoes were shining, and he had a fresh haircut. He cleaned up well.
“I’m just saying, Tish. I see how he looks at you, and I don’t like it.”
I huffed, taking the seat next to him. “Look, I know you’re only looking out for me. All of you treat me like a little sister, and so you should know I’m not looking for a relationship with anyone.”
Dennis laughed. I didn’t see what was so funny about what I’d said. “You think a man like Smith wants a relationship?” All humor left his handsome face, his brows almost touching one another. “All he wants to do is fuck you.”
His words surprised me. Dennis wasn’t direct. Was he jealous? I couldn’t go through that again with someone on my team. I refused to have another Tristan incident. The thought made me fucking angry. Who the hell did he think he was?
“Dennis, if I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were jealous. Let me tell you something.” I stood, walking to the door. “If you don’t know me better than that, you can get the fuck out right now. I don’t need another Tristan in my life.”
Saying the words made my heart ache. Dennis was one of the few who knew what happened when I was in the Navy. For him to come off as a jealous dick, I couldn’t deal with it.
“Tisha, that’s not fair,” he complained, standing and making his way to the door slowly. “You know I wouldn’t do anything like that.”
“Then fucking trust me to do my job and not fall in bed with my damn boss!”
“I’m sorry, Tish.” Dennis hung his head, pausing in the doorway. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’ll see you later,” I sighed, closing the door before he or I could say anything else.
I was pissed as hell at what Dennis implied but also angry with myself because on some level he was right. Mr. Smith was a problem. A problem I was letting get under my skin. If I weren’t careful, it would be easy to fall for the villain. And I’d had enough villains to last me a lifetime.