Page 54 of Bastard

He doesn’t even crack a smile.

“Overlooking even the smallest detail can get you killed.”

Business it is.

“The first is that I must have your complete trust and cooperation. The man hosting this party may seem harmless but he has blood on his hands.”

Based on the earlier conversation with Hayden’s men, so does he.

“We’re going to pretend to be different people, a superficial couple interested in getting rich. Our primary focus is on gathering information about our target’s business partners so I can build a list of potential threats.”

“What about the mine?”

“Information first, then I’ll blow the fucker up.”

“You might have recruited me—”

He snorts. “Is that what I did?”

I ignore his curious comment and continue making my point. “But I want to do this. I’m eager to work for you.”

His eyebrows rise before he composes himself. “Whatever I say. Is that clear? Even if you disagree with my tactics or dislike what I do.”

“Okay.”

He walks over to a suitcase and opens it. “You have an hour to freshen up. Showers are located next to the main building. Get dressed and meet me on the terrace.”

A beautiful red silk dress is placed in my arms.

I stare down at it, speechless. Knowing this is no coincidence yet confused as to why my ex esposo would have me wear a garment that so closely resembles my wedding dress.

But he’s disappeared into the night before I dare ask.

* * *

Flames of light dance across the terrace, the torches surrounding it casting a melon-colored glow across the slate stones.

Animals are stirring off in the distance, waking from a late afternoon doze to begin their nighttime activities.

Classical music softly filters outside from the main building, though we’re the only two people outside on the terrace. I’m in a faraway place, where nature and mankind live in blissful harmony.

I cross the stone floor toward him, feeling his eyes on me in my red gown and three-inch heels. The dress fits perfectly, the sleeveless top snug at the bosom and the long, billowing skirt brushing just below the ankles.

My hair is up. My body pampered and smelling like orange blossoms. I still wear the chain around my neck, his ring dipping deep between my breasts and out of sight. I’ve grown accustomed to its feel against my skin. Except, it’ll have to come off for the assignment.

I draw up next to him. “Why am I all dressed up tonight if the party’s in Cape Town?” Sí. This is the question I’ll ask. Playing it safe and stifling my curiosity. Reluctant groom or not, he must remember our wedding, right?

“The party is tomorrow evening.” His eyes rake across my body, causing my skin to turn only a few shades lighter than this dress.

“And the dress?” I blurt out. So much for playing it safe.

“I’d like you to teach me how to dance,” he deflects.

My eyebrows arch in surprise. An extremely pleasant kind of surprise, coming from a man who seems to be full of them.

“Slow dance.”

I swallow hard. “You don’t know how to slow dance?”