Page 73 of Lethal Vengeance

“This is it,” Sterling states softly. “I’ll come around and open your door. After parking the car, I’ll text you my location, likely the garage or kitchen.”

We’ve gone over this several times, but I know he needs to say it again.

The door opens, and I step out. A nearby guard looks at me and turns his head to speak into a mic, likely alerting Armando of my arrival.

I shake out my dress and thread my arm through Sterling’s elbow. “Thank you, Sterling.” My tone is formal to match his role, but my grip on his arm is anything but.

“There she is,” Armando exclaims loudly from the door, causing several people to turn around and stare at me. “My guest of honor.” Now, they’re beyond curious to know who I am.

Long strides bring him directly in front of me. “May I?” His elbow is out and waiting.

I slip my arm from Sterling’s to Armando’s. From good to evil. The thought brings a smirk to my face.

His hand squeezes mine hard. “Smile, Quinn darling. We want the press to print our best side.”

I bare my teeth, and the photographer captures it. That’s one set of pictures I won’t be buying.

When we get into the house, the formal living room has been transformed into a glittering ballroom. Wearing their best suits and gowns, guests line the dance floor, sipping on beautiful cocktails or chilled champagne. A few brave souls are dancing to the surprisingly good band.

We glide through the crowd like a king and queen, cold and haughty, looking upon the masses. When we pass the ballroom without stopping, my stomach clenches with equal parts anticipation and uneasiness.

He escorts me into a study. Several armed men line the perimeter of the room.

“Relax. I brought you in here to pat you down. Unless you disobeyed my orders and brought weapons with you, this will go quick,” he reassures me. “Hold your arms out.”

Warm palms glide up my bare legs to the silky strip of thong between my thighs, the first inclination of his intent. Gripping my control with both hands, I flash him a cold look.

“Icy glares turn me on,” he confides, cupping me under the dress.

I raise an eyebrow in response.

Large hands glide from my thighs to my hips and eventually, to my breasts. Shaping them with his hands, he chuckles. “These are certainly a weapon, but not one you can use against me.”

He glides one hand up until it’s circling my throat. Jerking me close, he inhales. “Delicious. It would be so easy to snap your neck, but death shouldn’t be easy, should it?”

His won’t be.

I smile in agreement.

His hands cup my breasts, then slide to the sides. Emotionless eyes watch me while he finishes patting me down. What he is hoping to see, I have no idea, but I give him nothing. Once he’s finished with my body, he runs his fingers through my hair.

A speculative gaze lands on me. “I’m impressed. No weapons. Did the party give you a false impression of safety?” His eyes dart to the window.

Paranoid asshole. Needing to allay his suspicions, I give him an answer sure to flatter him. “Leverage, remember? It was certainly an incentive.”

He preens. “Ah, yes. I almost forgot about my little plan. Although I wasn’t sure if it would work. You care so much for this man—Raider, is it?”

I snort. “Hardly. He has powerful friends, and I have enough enemies without adding more to the mix.”

Fingers sweep the line of my jaw. “Enemies are truly the spice of life. Take you, for instance. When I first heard that a beautiful, petite woman had come to Monterrey in search of new work, I laughed and threw you scraps. To my surprise, you took the jobs, did them well, and returned for more.”

He signals his men. One by one, they file out of the room.

Every muscle in my body goes rigid. This is the true beginning of tonight’s festivities. His level of excitement is off the charts.

When they’re gone, he leans against the mahogany desk in front of me. “Would you be successful with more challenging work? So, I gave you more, you succeeded. Surprisingly, you asked for nothing in return.” He picks up a gold coin from the desk and runs it through his fingers. “Everyone wants or needs something. It made me suspicious. Rodrigo is a good spy. For months, he watched you and reported back to me.”

Zane was right. I glare at him. “No wonder he became obsessed with me.”