Page 73 of Ruthless Mr. Ricco

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“Are you ready?”I ask.

Brook looks away from the window for the first time since we entered the vehicle and squeezes my hand.

“Yes, I’m ready, thanks to you,” she says.“I still can’t believe you paid off all my debts behind my back.”

“Think of it as an advance,” I say.

She quirks an incredulous brow.

“Oh?And what are you expecting as payment?”

I lean toward her and whisper in her ear.

“A front-row seat to your father’s demise.”I lick her earlobe.Her sharp inhale pierces through the quiet car.“And your cooperation in coordinating the most lavish, expensive wedding New York City has ever seen,” I murmur.

She elbows me and rolls her eyes.

“I’d rather you demand something more… carnal,” she says.

I hum and bring her fingers to my lips.

“Why would I pay for that when begging works so well?”

I flick my tongue between her digits.

Her pupils shrink and an aroused flush rises up from her chest.

“You’re right.Keep begging.It suits you,” she goads.

I growl and nip the back of her hand.Her engagement ring glitters in the sunlight.I kiss above and below it.

“Whatever you say, little rabbit,” I say, throwing her words from forever ago back at her.

She laughs and gives me a chaste peck on the cheek before reaching for her door handle.I grab her nape.

“Touch that door and I’ll send another package to Mr.Carter,” I promise.

She freezes with her hand an inch away from the shiny handle and swings her narrowed gaze my way.

“Don’t you dare,” she hisses.

I chuckle and tease my thumb over her jugular.

Every time I send new gym equipment to her old-school landlord, he refuses to let other patrons use it until she breaks it in.The payback is inventive and cruel in a way that’s somehow underhanded yet straightforward.When I sent a leg press and two treadmills at once, my poor little rabbit could barely walk up the stairs to her apartment afterward.

She’d done the right thing and called me for help.Her swearing and disgruntled side-eyes were worth it.I finally have a bargaining chip.

She sighs and drops her hand into her lap.

“Fine, then.Hurry around, my husband-to-be.I’m ready,” she demands.

I pull her to me by her nape for a quick, hot kiss before exiting the car.She accepts my hand and rises with the grace of a queen.In her tailored pantsuit with her hair pulled back and retribution shining in her eyes, she’s he most stunning woman I’ve ever seen.

I lead her up the back steps to join the team of FBI agents standing in the alcove.After a few handshakes and a quick rundown on the plan, we push through the opulent double doors.

Brook leads the procession down the gleaming hall to the last courtroom on the right.The agents stop a few feet away so the occupants of the courtroom can’t see them.