“This place has high surveillance. No one is getting in or out without permission.”
His words don’t go over my head. No one is getting out. I am right to be afraid, but I won’t show him. I already revealed too much of my hand in the car. I hold my head up high, then reach out and open the door, ready to see what’s behind the curtain.
As I step through the entrance, the first thing I notice is that the air feels stiffer inside the warehouse. Or maybe that is just my nerves. The room is large and cavernous. A smell lingers in the air. It’s almost fruity, and I can’t pinpoint its origin.
My gaze drifts along the space, and on the far side of the room, I see men sitting around a table talking. There is nothing out of place. Nothing to indicate that this is a space used for illegal activity. Other than the random table, it’s vacant.
A man pushes back from the table.
The metal legs scratch the concrete as he makes his way to standing and heads over to us. The first thing I notice is how handsome he is. Not as good looking as Tobias, in my opinion, but I can totally see why a woman would fall under his spell.
Well, that would be before they realize who he is.
Hell, maybe even after.
Look at me. I know full well who Tobias is, and I can’t help that he makes my body warm. I have a strong desire to make him the star of my next midnight fantasy session.
Lucky for me, that hasn’t happened yet because I don’t know how I would ever look at him again if he starred in one.
Lorenzo crosses the space with a level of arrogance only present in a man who knows or, better yet, thinks he’s better than someone.
When he’s almost upon us, his stern features morph, and a wicked smirk spreads across his face. Then his gaze travels down my length, making the smile broaden.
“The lawyer,” he remarks, but there is no question. It’s a statement. “I can see why you hired her.”
That’s it. I am so sick of condescending, arrogant assholes. I step forward, meeting Lorenzo head-on.
“The lawyer has a name. She also has eyes.” I lift my hand. “Up here, buddy.”
A part of me expects Lorenzo to probably shoot me on the spot, and to be honest, my outburst, though warranted, might not have been one of my best ideas. Instead, Lorenzo throws his head back and laughs. “I like her already, Tobias.”
“I don’t need you to like her,” Tobias grits out, and I turn to look at him. His jaw is set tight, and he looks pissed. Surprise, surprise. This man has worse PMS than a fourteen-year-old girl.
“Then why is she here?”
“I’m here because, apparently, I’m his babysitter, and he can’t go anywhere without me,” I mutter under my breath, but my voice is loud enough that again, Lorenzo’s hearty laughter rings through the air.
“She’s your babysitter, eh? I think I have that movie on DVD somewhere around here.”
“Shut the fuck up.”
Tobias is clearly frustrated by Lorenzo, and it makes me wonder why. From what I have gathered, these men are friends. Why the attitude?
I’ve seen Tobias act nicer than this. Take me, for example. Sure, he’s not warm and fuzzy, but he did smirk. That one time.
Maybe he didn’t laugh, but the way he looked at me, I know there is more to Tobias than meets the eye. Why can’t he let go?
“Did I hit a nerve, Tobias?”
Tobias steps up to Lorenzo. They are around the same size, so I would clock them both close to six foot two, give or take an inch.
There is a stare down for a minute, and Lorenzo’s men stand from the table.
A full second goes by, or maybe it’s longer. Who knows? All I know is my heart is hammering in my chest a million times faster than normal.
The showdown continues, and I’m one hundred percent positive someone will draw a gun.
My hands are shaking at my sides, and I try desperately to ground myself. Tobias looks my way and then back at Lorenzo. Something must pass between them because Lorenzo steps in and throws an arm around his shoulders.
“I missed your broody attitude.”
“And here I missed not a single fucking thing about you.” This time, I can hear the bite of sarcasm he gives me.
He’s not pissed. This isn’t a pissing match that is about to be a war. Nope. This is the best Tobias can do. He doesn’t let anyone in, and this is what Lorenzo has grown to know of him.
“Come, old friend, let’s sit, drink some tequila. Tell me about the next shipment.”
As if nothing just happened, the men walk toward the table. I’m stunned at first, but then I get my feet to move in their direction.