In his right hand, he held handcuffs.
I gulped.
He put his attention on my arms, barely covering my breasts. “What’s on your mind?”
“Nothing.”
“You’re very quiet.”
I looked at him. “I was just thinking. . .”
“About what?”
About how I would kill you.
I cleared my throat. “About your job. What is it?”
“You’re lying, but I’ll allow it today.” He turned his view to my face. “My contact thinks my brothers and I could rob a specific nightclub. From what I gathered, it has several levels—a brothel, spa, hotel rooms, etc.”
“How different would that be from robbing a strip club?”
“I have no idea. That is why we came up to stay in Paradise and check it out. I’ll decide after my assessment.”
“Where is the this nightclub?”
“North Paradise.”
I considered the location. “I didn’t know that there were nightclubs in Paradise that weren’t owned by the Syndicate.”
He frowned. “I learned this morning that the place is owned by a top Syndicate member.”
“Then, it’s protected by the Syndicate.”
“My middle man thinks it’s no problem.”
“But, you’re not sure that’s true.”
“Exactly.” He put his view on my panties. “Take them off.”
Shivering, I did as he ordered.
He watched. “What do you know about the Syndicate?”
“Four gangs make it up. Each gang rules a section of Paradise city—North, East, South, and West.” I slipped my panties down my hips and stepped out of them. “And not one of those gangs are here to play any games with anyone that fucks with them. Additionally, the Syndicate will go to war with anyone that messes with their property and people.”
“Then, we’ve heard the same thing.”
Right when I was about to put the panties on the table, he grabbed them, lifted them up, and placed the thin fabric to his face.
I raised my eyebrows.
He loudly inhaled. “I love the smell of your pussy.”
And apparently my menstrual blood.
He put the panties down on the table. “Get in bed.”
I swallowed, grabbed Dr. Fuzzy, and went over to the huge bed. “How much would you get from the job?”
“Do you think you’re going to do this with me?”
“That thought hadn’t come to me, but. . .”
A dark chuckle left him. “How could you do the job handcuffed to me?”
“I don’t plan on you keeping me in handcuffs the whole time.” I set Dr. Fuzzy between us as if he could protect me.
“Oh really?”
I bent over and pulled the thick white covers back. “I’m going to earn your trust back.”
“That will take time.”
“It can’t take too much time.”
“No?”
“I don’t like being in handcuffs.” I crawled over to the middle and lay down. “If you truly want some sort of relationship with me, then you’ll have to trust me.”
“Hmmm.” Still holding those handcuffs, he went over to the other side of the bed and climbed on. His heavy body made the bed shift. Soon, he lay next to me. “Lift one hand.”
“You don’t have to cuff me to the bed.” I glared. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“Oh really?”
“Really.”
“Excuse me, if I’m not so quick to trust you.”
“Why would I leave now?”
“Because you’re impossible to trap.”
“Have I made an attempt to run off yet?”
“No, but it has also been barely a few hours.”
“Where do you think this is really going, Cain?”
“What?”
“Us.” I pointed at the handcuffs. “Is this really how you want to start us?”
“Lift your hand.”
Frowning, I raised it. “You said I was the most powerful person in the room.”
“You are.” He cuffed one wrist and then attached the other cuff to the frame’s golden bar.
At least my other arm is free.
I sighed. “How long will we be here?”
He lay down and rested his head on the pillow. “It matters on if I decide that we do the job or not.”
I lowered. “It’s not a vote between all three of you?”
“No vote.” He wrapped his huge arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him. “I’m the boss.”
My breasts pressed against his chest, and I had to admit that I enjoyed his warmth. I stared at him. “Do you think you’ll say yes to the job?”
He closed his eyes. “I don’t know. I need the money now more than ever.”
“Why?”
“It was hard enough to feed my siblings and take care of their needs. Now I have. . .new responsibilities.”
I quirked my brows. “Me?”
“Yes. You. And I have new goals.”
“Like what?”
Opening his eyes, he lowered his voice as if nervous to say it. “I want to show you the world, Phoenix.”
I widened my eyes. My heart warmed. I shoved the warmth away, hating the effect he was having on me.
“Of course. We would both need to get passports.” He grabbed the covers and pulled them further over his body and mine. “I want to do this right and not get fake passports. This money could help us retire. I want to live as honest as one can in this fucked up world. And most of all. . .”