Page 24 of Silver Fox Grump

My brothers, Rafe and Vito, and Wes Matthews, are lounging in the conference room at the end of the hallway, and glance up at me when I walk in.

I shouldn’t look them in the face, and I recognise my mistake as soon as I make it. I didn’t want to see the guilt reflected back at me from the mirror, and my brothers’ identical eyes are just as bad.

“Sev.” Wes greets me with a nod.

“Have you murdered one of the staff again?” Vito asks.

I mean… In a sense, yes.

“Why were you late? What have you done?” Rafe shakes his head wearily.

“You’ll have to find out in your own time, as usual. Information couriered by glacier, no?”

“Does he send spies to work for you, as well?” Wes asks my brothers.

“It’s practically a sign of affection from Sev.” Vito turns to Wes. “He’s done it to all of us.”

“A new spy, maybe?” Rafe muses to Vito, totally ignoring me. “I think there’s that shifty expression that’s a giveaway.”

“Shall we talk business, or would you prefer to waste time in speculation about my greatness? I’m good with either.” I take a seat at the table.

“Can’t start without our note taker,” Vito says. “Where is she?”

“Delayed. But we can—” The door opens, and Maisie steps in with a bright smile, that I immediately see is brittle.

I did that. I am a fuckwit.

I’ve been so desperate since our first kiss though. I’ve sat in a car outside of her building every night, just for the sensation of being near her. I followed her on the weekend when she went shopping, and watch her on my phone when she’s at home.

“Sorry I’m late.” She takes the seat beside me, and even as I will us both to not do anything, she glances at me, and I look at her because I’m base metal and she’s a magnet.

The zap of electricity is almost audible.

For the split-second I’m looking into her eyes, all I can think of is how she looked as she came. How she tasted. How much I long to feel her come every day for the rest of my life.

I drag my gaze away to see Rafe and Vito exchange a look.

I glower at them. “Shall we get on?”

“What was the delay?” Rafe asks Maisie innocently.

“Teaching problem,” I say.

“Surveillance issue,” she replies at the same time.

“Teaching session on how to use the new surveillance software ran over,” I cover up smoothly. Maisie is blushing a little as though she’s still feeling my tongue between her legs, but covering it with a smile and efficiently tapping at her tablet. I look over at Wes, who is frowning at his daughter. But he’s not looking at me. I don’t know whether I’m relieved he doesn’t suspect anything, or furious that he dares scrutinise Maisie.

She’s mine.

Except she’s not.

“Surveillance,” Vito repeats with sarcasm so heavy it has its own gravitational pull and moon.

“Yes. And luckily for you I’ll help with your shitty security problems,” I say. “I’ve got an update on the joint laundering.”

Immediately my brothers and my friend are distracted by what Morden offers—the most efficient money laundering in London.

It’s only about an hour of meeting, but I’m aware of Maisie for every minute of it. Each second that ticks past my skin is tighter for not being pressed to her. Sometimes I think I can taste her. Smell her.