Page 17 of Cartel Rose (Jorge)

“Sei nicht begriffsstutzig, Jorgito.” Don’t be obtuse, little Jorge.

No one’s called me that since before my dad died. An event like that ages a kid.

I grin, so she can’t see how the nickname rattles me. It was special whenPapásaid it.Hor-he-toe.I refuse to allow an argument with this spitfire to taint that memory. Just the opposite. I could get used to it—though no one’s said there’s anything little about me in nearly thirty years.

Her blend of German with the Spanish is hot. Her pronunciation tells me she isn’t a Spanish speaker, which begsthe question how she knows the nickname. But it reassures me she didn’t read my notes. Not that it matters since I wrote nothing she would’ve understood even if she was a fluent speaker. It was my shorthand.

“I’m not threatening you. I’m pointing out the obvious. By now, half the corporate world has read the news. They’ll know my family didn’t intend that to go public. They’ll know the information came from within your organization, not mine.”

“Because our employees don’t fear us like yours do you?”

She steps around the desk, no longer hiding from me. Ballsy. She’s only safe because she’s a woman.

“If that’s what you believe, then you know the risk you take with that accusation.”

“I’m not accusing you. I’m pointing out the obvious.”

I shrug as I slide my hands into my pockets. Not that I need them, but the two knives are always a reassuring presence.

“It was nice almost doing business with you, Liesel.”

“And if I can prove the Kutsenkos sold the companies to their own shell corps? That you could still buy them from them? Out from under them?”

That gets my attention.

“Can you?”

“Yes.”

“How?”

“Confidential.”

She has the most expressive eyes. They’re windows to her soul when she opens the blinds. They can be blank when she wants them to be, but they can hold a wealth of messages when she allows it. They’re mocking and challenging again.

I slide my hands out of my pockets, so my suit coat falls back into place. I don’t need her seeing what she does to me as my dick twitches. What I wouldn’t give to nibble at her plump lips while pinching and twisting her nipple until she whimpers withneed. What I wouldn’t give to spin her around and fuck her ass against her desk.

The lurid images dancing through my mind aren’t encouraging my cock to behave.

“Liesel, even if you could prove that, why would I ever trust you?”

She practically bares her teeth at me when I use my pet name for her, but her eyes—they tell me she likes it.

“Because it wasn’t me.”

“No, it was your father. Your boss and the owner of this company sold a story that cost us millions in potential revenue. As long as you work here, you’re as untrustworthy as everyone else.”

“If I’m so horrible, leave.”

“I didn’t say you’re horrible.”You’re magnificent when you’re angry.“But you’re guilty by association. That’s what makes you untrustworthy. Leave this firm, and I might believe you.”

Chapter Five

Liesel

Leave this firm, and I might believe you.

Pick the Handkäse mit Musik, and you might not be hungry.