Page 107 of Hunt Me

“Good. You’ll find payment for your services in your bank account later today.” I glanced at the sketch, hopeful I’d recognize the bastard, but there was no sense of who he was. The face wasn’t memorable, as if it could be anyone walking down the street. Either Bristol had been right and she hadn’t been able to see the assailant very well or he was an unknown player. However, at least I had something to run through our data banks.

He seemed relieved. “Thank you, sir. Please call me if you need anything else.”

“I will.” I followed him from the den toward the front door, letting him out. When I was alone, I took another good look at the picture. Not a single hint of recognition.

When I returned to the room, I noticed she’d turned on the television. I remained in the doorway, studying her as she stared at the large screen. Even the lateness of the morning hour didn’t prevent some news channels from splashing the recent overdose. Fuck. They’d even included a picture of the casino. The day was just getting better and better.

When the next news story was the one highlighting Jax Shane’s whining about being beaten up, I walked closer, leaning over from behind and taking the remote from her hand. When I flicked it off, she shivered. Perhaps she was remembering when I’d found her inside her friend’s house.

She remained where she was, completely tense. The mug of coffee she’d asked for earlier remained mostly untouched, now cold after the time spent with Jacob. I placed the remote on the console, immediately heading to the window overlooking the pool.

The quiet tension between us was even more palpable than before.

“Did you beat that man up?” she asked in a much quieter voice than I was used to.

“Yes, I did.”

“Why?”

“Because he stole from my casino.”

“Is that how you handle all your naughty guests?”

I chuckled. “Only those with hidden agendas.”

“I can only imagine what you do to someone who steals the resort’s towels or God forbid the fluffy robes.”

As I turned to face her, I realized she was now as nervous, if not more, than she’d been before. “Are you suddenly realizing what I’m capable of, Bristol?”

“No, I pretty well figured that out after reading your impressive dossier.” She lifted her head, searching my eyes. “What do you want with me, Mikhail? If I had to guess, I’d say you need me to rat on my father. To weasel my way into his operation like a good daughter, pretending to fight for the cause while you determine his fate based on how reprehensible his treachery is. How close am I?”

“Actually, you’re very good. Perhaps you should be a fortune teller.”

Her laugh was bitter as she dragged her eyes back and forth across mine.

“If you’re searching for my soul, don’t bother.”

“That’s exactly what you need me to think. That you have no soul,” she admitted. “And that your heart is pitch black.”

“But you think otherwise.” I was curious where this was going.

“I know so. I remember the boy who’d fought to save my life and I now know the man who is more worried about my safety than me running to the police or disappearing into the night.”

“Interesting for a woman who’s only known me a couple of days.”

“You seem to forget they’ve been event-filled days, Mikhail. I also know your type. You enjoy displaying your power, using violence as a tool of interrogation as well as intimidation. When you walk into a room, you want everyone to see that you ooze power and you have no issue controlling the room or anyone in it. But at the end of the day, you’re like all powerful men. You long for peace and quiet with someone you can share your life with.”

“You give me too much credit.” I could feel the muscles in my body tensing from her accurate read.

She shook her head and rose to her feet. I’d thought she’d be unstable, but her resolve was strong. “No, I don’t. You’re right. You could have extracted whatever information you wanted from me and forced me to disappear. No one would have been the wiser. Not really.”

“Hardly the truth.”

“But you didn’t.” She dared walk even closer. “Plus, I saw the way you were looking at me and not like just a possession. From day one, you wanted me to believe you were a bad man. Maybe you are to everyone else, but I have the benefit of knowing the truth. You allowed me a taste of the true man.”

I gave her words consideration. “Don’t think too highly of me, Bristol, because you’re not going to like what I’m about to say.”

Bristol folded her arms. “You think my father is dirty and you want me to find out if he is.”