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“Sorry,” Toth said, casting a glance her way. “We had every reason to believe Danny ended his business with them three years ago. Also, I want you to talk to Lach. Find out who was with him yesterday when Savannah called him.”
“All right,” Rami said, dragging out the words with curiosity. “Where are you now?”
“Heading back to Seattle. Wish I had somewhere else to go but right now I think we’ll have more protection there.”
“That reminds me,” Rami said. “I’ve got some guys to consider for expansion.”
Curiosity struck Savannah, but she kept her lips shut. She was already sitting in on a call she shouldn’t be, or at least it felt as if she were eavesdropping.
“’Kay. I’ll text you when we get in and we’ll talk some more.” He hung up.
“What does he mean by expansion?” The question blurted from her mouth.
Toth slid his hand from the top of the wheel and rested his fingers loosely at the bottom. “Right now, Backcountry Protection Services is just Rami and me. We’ve had to turn away a few jobs due to lack of manpower. Neither of us is comfortable hiring just anyone. He must have come across some people he thinks are a good fit.”
She nodded slowly. “Is this what you’ve always wanted to do? Protect people?”
He shrugged. “Not much else I can apply my skills to. I like making my own hours and running my own business. Rami’s a good partner. He has more desire to grow than I do, but I guess it’d be nice to have guys working under us and less work on our plates.”
She rested her head on the seat. “You mean so you don’t have to babysit women like me?”
He chortled. “Yeah, it’s been unbearable.” Sarcasm dripped from his words.
“Well, I highly doubt getting shot at and killing people is fun for you.”
“It ain’t dull, honey. That’s for sure.”
She chuckled. “Guess not.”
He intertwined his fingers with hers. “Spending time with you hasn’t been too bad either.”
“Mmm. I agree.”
His fingers grew hot on her lap and her core clenched at his proximity to the V between her legs.
Easy, girl.
Her attraction to Toth was superficial. Had to be. He’d saved her life, and that drew her to him as if she were lost at sea and he were a beacon. Meanwhile, she’d brought nothing but death and destruction to his door—when he realized that, he’d turn and never look back.
But for now, she’d soak up every drop of affection.
***
After ordering roomservice, Toth hung up the hotel room phone and propped his feet on the table. The one-bedroom suite overlooked Elliott Bay and the sprawling harbor. Mountains peaked in the backdrop. He couldn’t have picked something more romantic. Hell, maybe some subconscious part of him had selected the upper-class hotel for that reason. Savannah standing at the huge window and staring out with a soft smile on her face was an even more beautiful view.
The bustling downtown was a sharp contrast to the seclusion of the woods, and normally he’d pick his little cabin in the mountains any day. But now he had to have bodies removed from the damn place—discreetly at that—so it’d be a while before he could return.
Savannah glanced at him. “We could have stayed somewhere less fancy.”
He crossed his ankles and took a sip from one of the two complimentary bottles of water he’d found in the room. “You know I’m not broke, right?”
She pursed her lips. “I don’t assume anything about your financial status.”
“I run a business with one partner, so I’m sure it’s crossed your mind.”
She took one of the chairs next to him. “Not really, no.”
He lifted a shoulder. “Well, a few nights here won’t break me.” He nodded at the ships. “Besides. It’s pretty. Lots of security and witnesses, so that doesn’t hurt either.”