Chapter 6 #2
Halle wasn’t certain how to respond, but the light flush on her cheeks indicated she wasn’t ready to toss me to the wolves just yet. However, she wasn’t used to compliments. “The last time I checked, I don’t belong to you.”
I lifted my drink, taking the time to lick a few drops off the rim of my glass. “Then maybe you should look again. I won’t leave here without an answer.”
“To what question?” She leaned further over the bar and when I gathered a deep whiff of her enticing perfume, my balls grew heavy.
“To my question of you going out with me. One night.”
Without saying anything, she watched me toss back the entire volume of liquid. But I knew the moment I lowered my glass she wasn’t easily impressed. “Okay, Alexsey. I’ll go out with you, but on one condition.”
I thumped the glass on the surface of the bar exactly the way she had and leaned in so we were so close, our lips were almost touching. “And what’s that?”
Her breathing was labored and she took a few seconds to drag just the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip. “That once it’s finished, I’ll never have to see you again.” She remained where she was, our mouths so close I could almost taste the passion pink lip gloss slickening her soft lips.
“Deal.”
She took a deep breath, easing back with her eyes never leaving mine. The corners of her mouth upturned into a wicked, controlling smile. “I’m free tomorrow night if you are. I’d like to get this over with. No offense, of course.”
“None taken.” I stood slowly, pulling out my wallet and a business card.
When I leaned over the bar, a slight hint of fear trickled across her lovely features.
Whatever Liam had told her about me she’d listened to.
I cocked my head, slowing my actions. When she didn’t flinch again, I tugged the cheap stick pen from behind her ear, using it to scribble on the back of my card.
She backed away so I wouldn’t try to touch her again.
I pulled out folded cash, placing the card on the money and slid that along with the pen across the surface of the bar. “Tomorrow night. I’ll pick you up at your house at seven. My number is on the back of my card if you should need anything.”
“I doubt I will.”
When I started to turn, I heard the tiniest noise. Was what I was hearing a slight moan? With the same smile on my face as she had on hers, I offered her one piece of advice.
“Be careful, Halle. You might find that you actually enjoy yourself and crave more. And don’t worry. I won’t hold a grudge. What I will do is provide you with everything you need and have been craving for a very. Long. Time.”
“And what exactly is that?”
“Feeling safe enough to surrender to your darkest desires.”
I left the bar without being hassled, although after reaching my SUV that was parked right across from the bar, I tipped my head, noticing Liam was standing outside. Watching me. If I had to guess, I’d say he would be on the phone within two minutes.
Another guess would be he’d contact one of the Papadakis brothers. Maybe he wasn’t working with them directly, but he certainly hadn’t appreciated the fact I’d walked into his bar. His reaction hadn’t simply been about decades of mistrust either.
Maybe I pushed the envelope by going to the bar, but I was drawn to Halle, much more so than I’d been with any woman. Her perfume lingered, staining my skin. Once inside the Mercedes, I pulled my hand to my nostrils, taking a deep whiff.
Sweet and spicy. Just like her.
A deep chuckle left my lips as I started the engine, immediately yanking out my phone, dialing Mikhail. I’d decided to head to my condo for the night. In the morning, I’d grill the fire inspector and meet with the insurance agent. But my brother needed to be made aware of my impromptu visit.
Before I pulled away from the curb, I noticed there were three of the other men who’d been inside the bar, standing just outside with Liam. Still watching.
“Did you convince your heroine firefighter to go out with you?” he asked, already laughing.
“I did. It took a little while, including me heading into the bar owned by Liam O’Leary.”
“Wow. You have balls.”
“That’s what Halle said as well. I did ruffle feathers being there. I think we need to delve deeper into what if any involvement Liam has with the Papadakis boys. I have a feeling I haven’t heard the last from any of them.”
Mikhail exhaled. “You need to be careful. Word on the street is that you were made an example.”
“By whom?” I rarely got angry when anyone tried to get the leg up on me, but I did just have my house burned to the ground. I could admit the act of terrorism had pissed me off.
“You know how people talk. One of our security men came to see me at the office and mentioned he’d heard a few of our guests talking. Now, don’t make too much of it since it’s all over the news with almost everyone speculating arson.”
“Ya think?” I rubbed my finger across the seam of my mouth and made a turn away from an area the Irish mostly controlled. It would seem news traveled fast since there’d been several people on the sidewalks and streets who’d watched me as I was driving by.
While I wasn’t prone to paranoia in the least, a thought about a calculated attack did cross my mind.
He laughed. “Still, I’d consider having a few of the men who work for you nearby to keep watch.”
“You mean to ask them to return to being soldiers instead of well-paid employees with exceedingly excellent benefits.” Since we’d had a few attacks over the last two years, we’d upped the game with our security measures.
We’d yet to become a police state with soldiers trailing behind us everywhere as I’d experienced as a child, but we were damn close.
And I hated every second of it even though it was a necessary precaution.
“Yes. We also need a calculated retaliation.”
I was somewhat surprised but had a feeling I knew what he was getting at. “Destruction of a warehouse.” The Papadakis brothers owned more than one. Yes, even I could say after all we’d been through that returning to the old ways of handling difficult situations was a good idea.
“Yes. Perhaps neither Papadakis believes we’ll respond.”
“When?”
“We’ll wait for a few days. Allow them to believe we aren’t interested in responding.”
I tapped on the steering wheel as I thought about what he proposed. “You want them to allow their guard to fall.”
“Exactly. So I suggest business as usual.”
“Agreed. Just know tomorrow night I’ll be busy.”
This time when he laughed, it was as if he knew me too well. “Be careful.”
“I don’t think Captain O’Leary has anything to do with what happened. I’m firmly convinced.”
“That’s not what I’m suggesting, at least not until we learn more.”
“Then what?”
“I’m suggesting you just might finally lose that ice running through your veins when it comes to a woman. Wouldn’t hurt you to settle down.”
“Trying to marry off your younger brother?”
“Think about it. Then I’ll get you out of the family’s hair.”
I rolled my eyes. “Very funny. Speaking of family. Is Bristol at home today?”
“Hmm… Since when do you want to talk to my wife? What are you up to?”
“Don’t worry. Nothing nefarious. I simply need her help with making a few purchases.”
“Ah…”
“What does that mean?”
“That means you like this girl. Just think, all it took was for her to save your life.”