Page 10 of Dirty Roxie

A stream of extremely good luck combined with the ability to read people well moved me up to a leadership position in my own area quickly. And when the chance came to take over two smaller neighboring organizations, I didn’t hesitate. Making me a contender in the fight for control of the streets almost overnight. I’ve done nothing but succeed since.

“Viktor is here too?” Roxie asks, interrupting my musings.

“Si—”

“I need to call Daria and tell her. She’ll want to know what’s happened to her father.” Roxie goes for her phone in her back pocket.

Roberto reaches out his hand and places it on her upper arm to stop her. “That is not a good idea.”

“Why not?” Roxie sets her phone back down on the table in front of her.

“How you say, too many cooks in the kitchen?”

“Yeah, but it’s her dad.”

“Tell her after you get Andrei.”

“But that could take days or weeks even.”

I scoff.

She looks at me. “What?”

“It will not take me weeks to track him. Nor will it take days. Hours, yes. A day, at most. More time than that? Absolutely not.”

“You sound awfully sure of yourself for a guy who asked for my help.”

“Maybe I just wanted something pretty to look at while I traveled,” I say and instantly regret it. Her face softens and she smiles at me. Beams, really.

I have no business flirting with Roxie or complimenting her. I’m already attracted to her, too much for either of our own goods. I have a hunch that once she gleans onto that, there will be no stopping her. Because I’m certain the feeling is mutual on her part.

For now, I plan to ignore the part of me that hopes it is.