Page 33 of Devious Corruption

It’s the first time she’s made any real sense since I’ve met her.

“That may have been true before, but this time they’ve stepped into something they’re not going to be able to simply walk away from,” I explain.

“I will deal with it.”

“What I’m telling you is that you’re out of your league here, too. You can’t help them. Not with the people they’re working with.”

“And who is that?” She pushes, lifting her chin.

I’m not an idiot, either. If I tell her who, she’ll be on their doorstep tomorrow demanding answers about her brothers. And the last thing I need is her getting anywhere near the Armenians.

“People you can’t win against.”

“But you can?” She huffs.

I slide forward until the toe of my shoe presses lightly against the tips of her ballet flats.

“Yes, Maxine. I can. You stay away from it. I will findyour brothers.”

“No.” She snaps immediately. “I saw how mad you got when you saw that gun. I don’t want you near them.”

“I’m not going to hurt them. I’m going to get them away from those that will and get them to back off. They’re way out of their element here.”

She chews on the inside of her lower lip, indecision warring in her eyes.

“They’re not bad guys.”

“I didn’t say they were.” But I’m damn sure they are.

“If I could just talk with them?—”

“Let me find them, then you can.”

“I can probably?—”

I press two fingers against her full lips—those full, fuckable, kissable lips—to stop her.

“No. You stay out of this now. I will handle it.”

Fire ignites, and I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve given her a direction again, or if because she’s relieved she doesn’t have to carry the weight.

“You’ll scare them off.” She says against my fingers.

“Not your concern. You stay out of it. You go home tonight, gets some damn sleep. You’re exhausted. And then tomorrow, you go to work and don’t worry about them.”

One of my cars pulls up behind Maxine’s car, and the passenger window rolls down.

“Stay right here.” I order, though she can’t go anywhere, anyway. But just once, I’d like to see her obey an order, even if it’s because she really has no other alternatives.

Through the passenger window, I grab the items I requested.

“Wait for me downstairs.”

“You got it.” Dmitri nods and pulls away.

“Of course you have one of those things just laying around,” Maxine remarks, taking in the slim Jim I’m holding.

“Hold this. Careful, it’s hot on the bottom.” I hand her the takeout container.