Page 44 of Bastard

“A marriage of convenience.”

He snorts.

I frown. “Followed by a divorce bychoice.”

He wipes his mouth with a napkin, his eyes never leaving mine, but when he pulls it away, I’m thunderstruck by his knowing grin.

“Does our divorce amuse you?”

“I’d tell you why I’m smiling, but then you’d have to kill me.”

I sit up in my seat, suddenly worried. “Want to kill you or have to?”

“Same difference.”

“Esto es muy frustrante,” I mutter. “Youare frustrating. You get off on being evasive, don’t you?” I sip my drink and resign myself to keeping this discussion light and conflict free. After the delicious meal he surprised me with, my questions can wait. “By the way, someone needs to tell you the truth.”

That catches his attention. “About?”

“The man bun. It needs to go away.”

He blinks in surprise.

“¡Nomanches! It’s ridiculous.”

His laughter begins as a soft rumble. “You dislike it?”

“If you weren’t so manly, you’d look like a girl.”

Now he’s laughing. I wonder how long it’s been since he’s done so.

“Everyone is too intimidated by you to speak the truth.”

“But not you.”

I pause, considering his question. I’m deeply, utterly attracted to him. Man bun, or not. That in itself intimidates me. I don’t offer him an answer. “About the party ...”

He stares at me for a few heartbeats, then grows serious. “Your job is simple. Get me inside locked doors. Chat up the other guests and report back to me about what they say. Cause a fight with me and offer us an easy excuse to leaving.”

“Can I pick any topic?”

He snorts. “Keeping within the character you’ll be playing.”

“Soundsperfecto.”

“Never assume,” he warns. “Sometimes the easiest assignments are the most dangerous. Remember that.”

“Are the miners from South Africa involved?”

His eyes twinkle. “You’ve always been quick.”

“If they’re our target, what are they involved in that warrants TORC’s involvement? Are they mining black market diamonds?”

“Worse.” He pauses a few seconds too long.

I scowl. “You can trust me. I’ve never once revealed information about you or your work.”

“I trust you more than most.”