Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 439(@250wpm)___ 366(@300wpm)
Flying debris had even burned a few holes in my shirt. My jeans hadn’t fared any better, but at least the blood wasn’t dripping from my arm anymore, although it stung like a bitch.
Leaving the elevator, I strode through the high-class lobby. The warm tones, with glass sconce lighting and dark wood molding, gave off an aura of rich luxury, seldom seen in a corporate office. Of course, this wasn’t just any office. This company belonged to Quintin Vanetti, the most respected and revered businessman in the city.
I bypassed Vanetti’s executive assistant and headed straight to Vanetti’s personal office. Without knocking, I pulled the door open and stopped in my tracks.
Whoa. Who the hell was she?
A beautiful woman stood chatting with Vanetti. Average height, with long golden hair that somehow framed a perfectly oval face. Her bright, blue eyes shone like sapphires, darkening as she turned toward me.
Heat flooded through me, and my throat went dry. Damn. Several yards still separated us, but I could almost feel her presence in the space between us.
“What happened to you?” Vanetti’s voice snapped me out my trance.
Grimacing, I sent a pointed glance toward the beautiful visitor. Did he really want me to tell him in front of her?
“It’s fine, Nate. Spit it out.”
Flattening my lips, I stepped into the office, and closed the door behind me. “You were right. It was a trap.”
Vanetti’s lips turned down. “I told you so. But you wouldn’t listen.” He shook his head. “It’s time we find out who’s targeting you and put an end to this. That’s why Serenity’s here.”
He motioned to the woman, and my gaze met hers. Her eyes darkened, and her full lips parted, sending a blast of heat through me.
“Serenity, this is Nathan Stone, my security specialist and bodyguard. He’s the one I need your help with.” He glanced at me with a raised brow. “Since nothing you’ve done so far has worked, I’ve hired Serenity to help you figure out what’s going on.”
“What?” My eyes widened. “I don’t need any help… especially from—” I glanced at Serenity. Sure, she was probably amazing in bed, but in a brawl? Could she even shoot a gun? Would she even fight if she were in danger? Most people froze or ran. “—someone like… her.”
“Someone like me?” Serenity’s nostrils flared, and a rush of dark pink stained her cheeks.
She had a nice voice, too, even when she was mad. Yeah, I’d offended her, but it hardly mattered. She wasn’t cut out to help me in any way, shape, or form, and Vanetti was blind to think she could. If anything, she was a liability that I didn’t need.
“Now, Stone.” Vanetti held up his hands, but his lips twitched. “You’re over-reacting. You’ve been with me long enough not to question me.” His eyes glinted with a dangerous challenge.
I tried not to grind my teeth, but he was right and we both knew it. “So, what’s the angle?” I glanced at Serenity.
She crossed her arms tightly over her chest, enhancing the cleavage below the collar of her blouse. Hmm. Nice. Even from here she smelled amazing. Shaking it off, I shifted my stare to the boss. If his plan was to distract me, it was working.
“It’s simple, she’s perfectly suited to help you, because she’s got something you need.”
My brows rose. How did he know I’d be attracted to her?
Humor crinkled his eyes, and his lips twisted. “She’s a psychic.”
“What?” I glanced at Serenity in time to see her lips twist in a grimace before she composed her features into something resembling… serenity? With sudden clarity, I stepped close to tower over her. “Are you trying to scam Vanetti? Because let me tell you right now. It won’t work. He’s not a fool, and neither am I.” Dammit, she smelled even better up close.
She jerked back a little before straightening to glare at me, her gaze sparking with blue fire. “I am not a scam artist, and if I was, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to try it on Mr. Vanetti.”
With a huff, Vanetti stepped between us. “Back off, Nate.”
I fell back a step and crossed my arms.
“She’s not scamming anyone.” His eyes narrowed. “She’s the real deal, and if you’d give me a moment to explain, you’d see that.”
“You believe her?” He had to be joking.
He nodded. “Yes… and you would too, if you’d shut up and listen.” With a shake of his head, he turned to Serenity. “I apologize, Ms. Jones. I should have told him what was going on over the phone so he wouldn’t be so pig-headed.” He looked me up and down. “You’re a mess. Go clean up. I’ll explain the plan when you come back.”
“Fine.” I glanced at Serenity, and she glared at me.
Unfortunately, the argument hadn’t made her any less attractive. Dammit. Shaking my head, I left the office and stalked to the door at the end of the long hall. Unlocking the door, I opened it into the apartment Vanetti kept for my use. Thankfully, I had everything here that I needed.