Page 24 of The Billionaires' Gamble

I shoot out a hand to stop the doors and instantly regret it.

Lucinda Winthrop appears, shoulders back, chin up, eyes sharp. I swear this woman was a hawk in a past life.

Her lips twitch into some sort of a smirk as she steps into the car. “Mr. Hunt.”

The doors close, cocooning us inside.

I nod. “Mrs. Winthrop.”

“What a lucky surprise. You’re just the man I need to see.”

Unease prickles up the back of my neck. “Is that right?”

I keep my hands loose at my sides and face forward but watch her out of the corner of my eye. Given what I know about her and what Tyler just told me, I don’t trust her.

The elevator starts its journey downward and stops at the next floor. Two men get on, and I take a step back, making room for them. The one on the right jabs a button, and the car descends. Lucinda’s fingers drum against her Birkin bag.

A handful of floors later, the men get off, and she turns to me as soon as the doors close.

“You’re a hard man to get a hold of.”

Which is by design, but I don’t tell her that.

“Did you leave a message with one of my assistants? They’re very good.”

“I’m sure they are.”

What she doesn’t say, but I know to be true because I’ve had this exact interaction with other wealthy people before, is that she’s too important to deal with a lowly assistant. She wants direct access to the top dog.

These types of people are used to getting their way, being put through to CEOs and Chairmen of the board.

The car reaches the parking garage with a ding, and the doors glide open. I step out and quickly turn around when she stays put. There’s a gnawing feeling in my chest, reminding me of what it feels like to be prey. She takes a step toward the panel of buttons.

“My driver will be at the curb,” she says, glancing skyward.

She rode down a level to say whatever it is she wants to say. I reach out and stop the doors from closing because, as much as I’d like to get into my SUV, there’s a burning need inside me to find out what this woman’s game is.

Luckily, she doesn’t make me wait. “I’d like to hire you.”

“I’m not for hire.” I cock my head, studying her, trying to see past the expensive haircut and priceless earrings. What’s her move here exactly?

She waves a hand as if my words are a pesky fly. “Everyone’s for hire. Your best man, then. I need someone to watch out for Katherine.”

“Does she know you want to put security on her?”

She ignores my question and laces her fingers. “I understand that it might be a conflict of interest and all, given your winning bid at the auction.”

I sense a but coming. A big but.

“But you have the best reputation in the city, and my daughter is going to be worth a fortune soon.”

So Tyler was right. Katherine is about to come into her inheritance. Does she know? Surely she has to.

How interesting that this woman had years to care about Katherine’s safety, but only when there’s money involved does she care.

I tip my chin up a notch and let the doors go. “Your daughter already has protection. Mine.”

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