Speak Easy (Speak Easy 1)

“Yes. More time to come up with the first five grand.”

He froze for a second before adjusting his collar. “Is that what we’re doing here?”

“Couldn’t you intervene for me? Ask for more time?”

“Why would I do that?” His tone had gone cool and even.

My spine stiffened. “I thought you liked me.”

He didn’t answer right away. “I’ll admit there’s something I find hard to resist about you,” he finally said, pulling a handkerchief from a pocket inside his coat. He wiped the lipstick off his mouth before handing it to me. “So I’ll tell you that as long as you do what’s asked of you, no one gets hurt.” The look in his eyes was razor-sharp. “But don’t mistake attraction for affection.”

His words infuriated me, but fear tempered my reaction. “What if I can’t do what’s asked of me?”

He walked away, picked up his keys from where they’d dropped and unlocked the door. When he pulled it open, the light from the hallway spilled in, washing him in gold. He watched as I quickly wiped my mouth and smoothed my hair, uncomfortable under his scrutiny. “Don’t underestimate yourself, Tiny. Nobody else is.”

#

Joey was waiting for me near the club entrance. Chin jutted. Eyebrows furrowed. At the sight of us, he released his crossed arms and puffed up his chest a bit, but relief eased his features.

“I see that your date is glad to have you back in one piece,” said Enzo from behind me. Since I’d asked for more time, his demeanor had been all business. No wink-and-smile banter, no flirty innuendo, and no touching. Was he actually angry thinking I’d kissed him under false pretenses? Maybe he did like me—at least more than he was willing to admit.

I glanced over my shoulder. “I never said he was my date.”

“In any case, I’ve returned you as promised, and—”

“Not exactly.” I turned and walked backward a few steps. “I believe you promised to return me unmolested.” The barest flicker of fire crossed his face.

“You ready to go, Tiny?” Joey did his best to stand tall, although Enzo had a couple inches on him. In a fight, though, I might bet on Joey. He just looked hungrier.

“Yes.” I locked eyes with Enzo. “We’re through. For tonight anyway.”

“Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Enzo nodded at us before turning on his heel and striding away.

“What the hell was that about?” Joey demanded.

“Just business.”

Enzo went behind the bar, poured himself two fingers of whisky and downed it. Then he poured another.

Ha, so I did get to you.

He looked over at me then, and when our eyes met, I vividly recalled his fingers on my bare legs, sliding higher. My thighs clenched involuntarily, and I sucked in my breath.

“Doesn’t look that way to me.” Joey grabbed my elbow. “Let’s get out of here. Now.” He was rough, tugging me toward the exit as if I was going to put up a fight.

I jerked my arm from his. “Quit it! I said I was ready to go, you don’t have to grab me.”

Joey’s chin slid forward but he said nothing—not a word until we were halfway home. “So are you going to tell me what he said or not?”

“What who said?”

“Angel!” Joey thumped the steering wheel with the heel of his hand.

“Oh, right.” With difficulty I shoved the memory of Enzo’s torso between my legs from my mind. “Uh, he said I have three days to bring him five thousand dollars.”

“What? That’s crazy.”

“I know it’s crazy,” I snapped. “That’s why I was trying to play nice with Enzo.”