Cruel (The Buck Boys Heroes 2)

I reach for a plate of food even though I don’t know how much of it I can stomach. “Absolutely.”

Sinclair tucks her legs under her as she takes a seat next to me on her couch. Her blue eyes scan my face. “Maybe once this article is published, you and whoever you got drunk with can have some fun together.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

She takes a bite of the corner of her toast. “You don’t know that.”

I reach forward to place my coffee mug back on the table. “He’s intense, Sin. Crazy intense. This is an assignment, and once it’s over, it’s over.”

Her gaze drops to the plate on her lap. “It’s not over until fate says it is.”

Fate.

That’s a concept I used to believe in until fate proved that what it dishes out isn’t always welcome.

Wearing a pair of charcoal gray pants, a short-sleeved white blouse, and my black heels, I step toward the SUV that I know Mr. Bane sent for me.

I recognize the driver, Drew, immediately.

He waves a hand as he pulls the vehicle next to the curb in front of my apartment building.

“That’s your ride?” Ricky, the doorman, questions from behind me.

He asked if I needed help when I stepped off the elevator. I told him I was fine since the strap of my purse was wrapped around my body, courtesy of Margot. That did make it easier to carry my laptop case.

Nigel mentioned that I’d have an office to work in, but my own computer is a must.

I’m still considering what Mr. Marks said about the article. I know he wants me to dive deep into the night Ares Bane died. My plan is to test those waters to see how Kavan reacts.

After the other night, I’m more confident that I can push the envelope a bit without risking the assignment.

I glance over my shoulder. “It is.”

Ricky smiles. “I hope you have a wonderful day, Juliet.”

I offer him the expected, “I hope you do too,” as Drew exits the car.

“Good morning, Miss Bardin,” he greets me before opening the back passenger door. “You’ll find a cup of coffee there for you. Cream and sugar are on the center console. There is also a selection of pastries and fruit for you.”

“Wow,” Ricky whispers as he moves to stand next to me. “Someone is going all out to make your ride to work a special one.”

I turn to look at him. “Don’t mention this to Margot, okay?”

The last thing I need is my sister questioning me about the full-on buffet on wheels that swooped in to pick me up today.

“My lips are sealed, Juliet.”

I guarantee that by handing him the twenty dollar bill that I tucked in the front pocket of my pants. I do that every morning, so I can stop and buy a large coffee and a pastry from Palla on Fifth.

They make the best cup of coffee in the city. It’s pricey, but it’s an investment that has always served me well. The extra jolt of caffeine keeps my energy level high for hours.

He thanks me with a curt nod of his head. “Let me help you with your laptop case.”

Before I can hand it off to Ricky, Drew has it in his hands. “It’s my pleasure to help in any way that I can, Miss Bardin.”

With a shrug of my shoulders, I say goodbye to Ricky again and settle onto the soft leather of the back seat.

Scooping up the cup filled with coffee, I let out a sigh when I see the distinctive logo stamped on the side of it.

It’s from Palla on Fifth.

Mr. Bane is either a mind reader, or the man knows almost everything there is to know about me.

Chapter Twenty-One

Juliet

“I thought I’d be working at the Bane Enterprises building,” I stress the last three words to Nigel.

He steps aside as a man with a briefcase rushes past us on the sidewalk.

“Mr. Bane prefers to work from home.”

I look up at the building that houses Kavan’s penthouse.

When I left here on Saturday night, I had no idea that less than thirty six hours later, I’d be back.

“We can conduct the interview at his office,” I suggest. “Then I can work there piecing it together while he comes back here to work.”

He shoots me a look. “That won’t work. Mr. Bane is expecting you. I’ll see you up and get you settled in your office.”

“I have an office in his penthouse?”

He nods as if that’s a normal thing. “I do as well.”

I’ve heard stories about eccentric billionaires before, but this tops them all.

I understand that Mr. Bane has his reasons for wanting to stay out of the public eye, but this seems extreme.

I don’t get to set the rules for this assignment, so I nod. “All right.”

Nigel moves to grab my laptop case. “I can help with that.”