Page 84 of Bastard

“It’s time.”

I don’t need to ask him to clarify. It’s the moment I’ve been dreading for days. Work calls, and he has a mine to close down. I take a bite of my sandwich but don’t really taste anything.

“Work on the trench will continue. I’ve left detailed instructions on what’s to happen next.”

“That’s what you were discussing with the villagers during the break?”

“Yes.”

He pops off the cap off a beer and passes it to me, then does the same to the other bottle. Lifting it to his lips, he drinks deeply.

The question, “When will you be back?” is on the tip of my tongue. Instead, I ask a more important and less selfish question. “Are you going to blow the mine up?”

Silence.

“You don’t trust me?”

“That’s not it.” He sighs. “The less anyone knows, the better.”

“So, I’m just anyone.”

He shakes his head. “You’ll never be just anyone, Luciana.”

I blink in surprise.

“My men have infiltrated the mine. Some posing as workers, some as pushy investors demanding to see the entire operation before investing. Barrington is scheduled to meet one of them next Friday. My team is reassembling back at the resort in Kenya so I can review the details. I’m hoping to shut the mine down so it’ll be inoperable without destroying the natural resources within.”

“And you’ll be directly involved?”

“Yes. I can’t afford any mistakes.”

“Won’t TORC be at risk if you’re caught?”

“I’m careful.”

“You’re not invincible,” I say.

“I’m a trained professional.”

“You can’t control everything.”

He takes a bite of his sandwich, the ruggedly masculine jaw clearly defined as he chews. Is there anything this man does that isn’t sexy?

“And if you’re caught and questioned?”

“I’m torture-proof.”

I frown. “What does that mean?”

He takes a sip of beer, washing down the bite before he answers. “I’d kill myself before revealing anything vital.”

I choke on my food.

He pushes my beer toward me, then silently studies me. “Don’t be concerned for me, Luciana.”

I snort. “I’m not.”

“Liar.”