by Amelia Shaw
I pointed toward the door and the guard. “The babysitters can leave. I’ll meet you in your study once I finish up here.”
I eyed the spread, looking for my next victim. A vat of strawberry jam and a rack of toast alongside sat unassuming a few dishes down. Yes, please.
I caught a smirk on his face while I dragged them both through the maze of containers until they met the edge of my place setting. There were few things I enjoyed more than fresh buttery toast.
I gobbled down a few greedy bites and watched him take his coffee to his office with him.
To be honest, I needed the space to think. Of course I would help, as promised, but I needed more than what he’d given me. I needed to know what information he already had, what we still needed to gather to be in a better position. I needed to know the plan... and I would have to lay some trust down along with it. No way he would just tell me everything immediately, especially since I bet his reasons for going after the Black Mage were just as personal as mine.
I shoved a long elegant butter knife in my boot, and then another in the other one for good measure. A girl needed shiny accessories. And these were pure silver, good for other kinds of supernatural creatures too. Maybe fae.
When my belly was pleasantly full, I poured some coffee in a cup and wished I had a bigger one. This was like an eight ounce. I needed one of those gas station big gulps to see me through the morning. Especially with the pure snark he was throwing my way, as if we’d crossed some boundary where he no longer needed to be the tyrant.
Armed with my coffee, and the queen’s silver, I wandered into his office, taking in the bookshelves and the room dappled by sunlight. I’d seen it the night before. Today it looked more like a library than the darkened dungeon it appeared last night.
“Ready?” I asked as I made it to his desk. A guard took up a place by the door once I settled into the chair across from Fin.
He raised an eyebrow. “Of course. Are you sure you had enough to eat? There’s always plenty.”
I waved him away. “If I eat any more, you’re going to have to get one of your goon squad to hoist me up the staircase.”
The corner of his lip quirked up, but he hid it with a duck of his chin. “My apologies. The security is always around. I kept them away last night as I made my... negotiation.”
“So that’s what we are calling it?” I gave him my slightly unhinged smile and shifted to swing my legs over the chair arm, all while perfectly balancing my coffee cup. “So, where are we starting? To begin, I’d like to know what information you already have on the Black Mage. We can mix and match to see what we think is valid and then start looking at the information we need to find him.”
He nodded once and leaned forward on his elbows. “I’ve been tracking individuals I think work for him. So far none of them are mages. Well, none of them except the man you took into custody a few days ago.”
Wilson, Wallace... I couldn’t remember his name now. “Yes. But he didn’t give me anything before he practically shit his pants and killed himself. Sadly, he’s a dead end.”
I chuckled at my little pun. He didn’t return my smile, and I sobered to hide my awkwardness with a sip of my coffee. “Who were the others you identified? Like kitchen staff or goons?”
He nodded. “Not anyone who might be important. I have a few drivers on payroll for information. So far, I haven’t been given an accurate location. It’s as if he makes multiple calls when he plans to leave, giving out a lot of false information. I want to get someone in his inner circle on our side, however, I know how risky and unlikely that will be. At the very least if we identify one of them we can follow them.”
He stared over my shoulder and I could feel the distance he pushed between us.
I cocked my head to the side. “What is it? You know one of us is going to have to share real information soon. The first actual act of trust.”
And it wouldn’t be me.
After a long-charged moment, he met my gaze again, direct and impersonal. The distance was there, but muted.
Then he said, “I have an inside man.”
I dropped my feet to the floor and spun to look at him head on.
“Uh, excuse me? That is some information you start a conversation with.” I glanced down at my coffee. “I’m sorry, but I have nothing nearly as valuable to bring to the table.”
“I’m more interested in your hunting skills than your information.”
Interesting... He’d gone to great lengths to get me to agree to work with him. Guess he thought me more than a pretty face.
I leaned over my knees and considered the facts. If he had someone on the inside, then he had all we needed to make a move. Whoever his man was he’d be able to get us in, maybe get us a disguise that would pass whatever gatekeeper the Black Mage used to keep people out.
“When can I meet him?”
“I’m sorry, but not yet. I need to prepare him, and I already set up a safe meeting time with him. It’ll be soon. Can you handle it?”
He scanned me from the trembling saucer in my hand to my scuffed boots.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
He sighed. “My apologies for being indelicate, but can you handle undercover work? Of an upper-class variety?”
I put the cup and saucer on the edge of the desk and stared him down. “I can’t Foxtrot or whatever it is the kids are doing these days, but I can look nice in a dress and even kick ass in a pair of heels.”
“Eloquent as always.”
I snorted. “Oh, you mean, can I keep my thoughts on the inside?”
“Something like that.”
I couldn’t be offended. I hadn’t exactly been gentle with my needling of him. The man kidnapped me. Sometimes my sass was enough to warn off even less committed assholes.
“Well, since you’re asking so nicely, I can play whatever you need. But I swear if you make me some simmering bimbo on your arm, I’ll put a stiletto through your eardrum.”
“Do you always threaten everyone with so much violence?”
“Only when they kidnap me and make me think they’re going to make me play a bimbo.” I waved at him in his crisp shirt and suit. “You wake up ungodly early and are more productive before breakfast than I am in an entire day. Men like you only date those sorts of women. What else would a woman on your arm be to you?”
His regard took a heavier quality. I refused to squirm under his roving gaze.
“What role would you like to play?” he asked.
Was there a double entendre under that question? Well... well... well. Mr. Proper had a flirty side. Most beautiful men did, but I appreciated it on Fin more somehow. The way his grin turned playful and his elegant hands steepled together as he waited for my answer.
“Why, Fin, I’m clutching my pearls on the inside.” I gave him a genuine smile, and for a moment his mouth flopped open. So worth it. “But in all seriousness. I’ll do whatever I need to do, to make this plan work. Even if it means straddling a pole and climbing into the bastard's lap. I’ll gut him with an erection if I have to.”
His lip curled up. “Please don’t hold back on my account.”
A soft knock interrupted our verbal sparring match, and I shifted to stare at the shrouded newcomer.
“Captain, come in,” Fin said.
A man strode into the room, and he skirted the desk to stand by Fin. His gaze was heavy and not in a good way. I stared back. I didn’t blink for toy soldiers.
“Miss, can I ask you to stand, please?” The captain said.
I narrowed my eyes. “What for?”
Fin stared at me now, too.
The captain gestured. “Please, ma’am. It’s come to my attention that you have brought several items you can use as a weapon in here.”
“Is there a rule about arming myself?”
He crossed his hands behind his back in the classic military at-ease stance. “There’s a difference in arming yourself and walking off with the silver.”
&nb
sp; Fin made a noise, and I slid my gaze to his. “I wasn’t trying to steal it.”
The captain gestured at me again, and I stood in a huff. When he waved his arm, I dragged the long sharp pair of scissors from the waistband of my jeans and put them on the desk. Then I added the ornate letter opener to the pile.
“Anything else?” Fin asked as he eyed what I’d placed on his desk next to my coffee.
I stared at the wall of books while I dug the butter knives from my boots. Then I fished into my t-shirt, right to my lackluster cleavage, and thunked a tiny screwdriver I’d found in my bedside table last night onto the pile.
I shoved both hands on my hips and glared at their shocked face. “What? I don’t enjoy walking around unarmed. Fin, you have men in pretty uniforms to keep you safe. I have myself.”
Fin snorted. The sunlight gleamed off his carefully tamed hair. I preferred him dressed more casually. “They are here to keep you safe too.”
“Psh... please, if it comes down to you or me, we both know Captain America here is going to pick you over me every time. You pay the bills. I’m the brat with a smart mouth.”
Fin gave me a reluctant nod, and I moved to grab the knives, but the Captain swooped in, took all my weapons, and marched out of the room.
“I don’t think he likes me very much,” I said.
Fin stood and stripped his jacket off. “Come along. I’ll make you a deal. If you can show me you’re capable of handling them, then I’ll give you all the weapons you require to feel safe. I’ll provide anything you need, and you can keep them once our task is complete.”
“How do I prove that?” I asked, thinking the fact that I was a trained bounty hunter was obvious.
“Hold your own in a fight against me.”
This was definitely a ‘Pretty Woman’ moment. A man offering me all the weapons I could want. I would swoon if I didn’t fear he would like me too much at his feet.
I ducked my chin to keep the wayward thoughts out of my eyes and followed him out of the office. I absolutely wasn’t staring at his ass as he led the way to the bowels of his house.
I’d always been good at lying to myself.
Almost as good I was at lying to others.
Chapter Ten
Usually, if a man led me into a dark basement, I would be full of jokes. But to be fair, I wouldn’t be following a stranger down a staircase. Only a friend that already accepted my smart mouth.
“Is this where you murder me?” I attempt to joke, more to comfort myself.
He stopped, and I nearly ran into the back of him, my face inches from his shoulder blades. His spicy scent hit me a second before he flipped on the lights and I blinked.
The royal blue mats lay across the floor in a neat row, and workout machines lined one wall, weights neatly stacked beside them. Columns dotted throughout the room, , elegant things painted shiny white to match the crown molding. A gym with crown molding... I’d stepped into an entirely new world.
I slipped my boots off and dropped them where I stood, then removed my shirt to fall to the ground. My black cami underneath would be fine.
I half expected to find big glaring price tags on all the workout equipment.
He slipped out of his dress shirt and folded it neatly before laying it on a chair near a column. I stretched my arm across my body and gripped it under my elbow with the other. My shoulders always felt tight during a sparring match.
Simon had written me a note telling me to try yoga once, but I didn’t go in for that stuff. And I didn’t work out unless I would build a sweat.
Like a brief trip to the mats with a sexy fairy man.
I finished stretching my shoulders, then Fin’s hands wrenching one of my wrists spurred me to action. I gripped his wrist in one hand and twisted hard as I pulled from his grip.
He released me and grabbed for my ponytail. I dodged his grasp and danced behind him. Man knew how to go on the offensive. I’d give him that. While fighting was always a fun way to pass an afternoon, and I would deny it if anyone asked, I preferred to talk my way out of a situation. Sticks and stones and all that. Bruises were a bitch to hide on my pale skin.
He lunged forward as if to grab my waist. I pulled his outstretched arm and twisted so he would fall on his back. But Fin moved in my grasp to come out of the hold and wrapped himself around my back. I elbowed him to the chest and stamped my foot hard down on his.
A lesser man would have released me, but he only gripped me tighter, sliding his hands up to wrap one around my neck and the other on top of my head. Not good. He had height on me and he would blood choke me in seconds.
I reached down and grabbed his balls. Tailored pants made it so much easier to find the goods in one shot. He choked behind me, and his hold lessened enough for me to slip out from his grip and face him again.
He eyed me warily. “You fight dirty.”
“I detect a note of respect in that statement. Honor in death is useless... You’re still fucking dead.”
He wrinkled his brow as he stared at me.
I chuckled. “Let me guess, your fight training consisted of careful rules, moves, and manners? What did you start with? Fencing?”
The corner of his lip turned up. “You underestimate my age. I started with a broad sword heavier than you are.”
That was a turn on I chose to ignore.
I gave him the classic bring it on gesture and braced myself. “All right, old man. Let’s go.”
I didn’t give him the chance to strike first this time. I charged forward, twisted my feet around his ankles, and brought him down to the mats. Quickly, I mounted his waist, squeezing my thighs around him, my feet tucked tight against his thighs.
He stared up at me with a grin. “If you wanted me on my back, all you had to do was ask.”
He shoved his hips up, his feet flat underneath him, and bucked me off him. He twisted to get behind me, but I guided him between my thighs and locked my ankles at the small of his back.
We lay quiet for a moment, both of us panting. He braced his hands on either side of my shoulders.
“Give in yet?” he asked.
I laughed. “Never. It’s a character flaw, really.”
“Your only one, I’m sure,” he said, his too pretty face only inches from mine.
I met his intense eyes and drew in the scent of him. For the first time in a long time, I could admit I was enjoying myself. Fun with a fairy. It sounded like a Sunday cartoon. But there was nothing juvenile about the press of his hip bones into the sensitive flesh of my thighs and the slow rise and fall of his chest.
Focus!
“I have many flaws. I’m sure you’ve witnessed several in the short time we’ve known each other.”
“As a gentleman I’d never bring them to your attention, of course.”
I snorted. “Of course.”
He tried to drag himself from the grip of my legs, but I held him tight.
I crisscrossed my arms in front of me, grabbing opposite edges of his t-shirt, and squeezed tight at the throat.
He slammed his forearm hard across mine. I let go as the pain hit me just as hard.
I smiled. “It was worth a try.”
He surged forward, pressing off the ground to standing so I hung off him like a limp balloon. This wouldn’t end well. I twisted over and released him to get to my feet. Before I could, he grabbed my hips, lifted me in the air, and slammed me flat on the mat. Not the first time I’d been body slammed, but it hurt as much as it did then.
I rolled away and shifted to my knees. He stood with his hands on his hips regarding me. “You’re also kind of scrappy.”
“That’s what they tell me.”
I stood to match him, arms up, waiting for the next attack.
He didn’t charge forward though.
I dropped my arms and looked him over. “Done so soon? Your pants get wrinkled already?”
“My valet uses Scotch Guard. I don’t get wrinkles, thank you.”
I put my ha
nds on my hips. “Was that a joke?”
He didn’t smile.
“Or do you really have a valet?”
I couldn’t read him as well as I read other people. When he spoke to me, he seemed pretty straight forward. But I had no idea what little thoughts lurked behind those intense eyes.
I was busy scanning him and didn’t realize he’d closed the distance between us. Preparing for another attack, I shifted on my feet, but he didn’t touch me, only stared down into my eyes from his height.
I wanted to crack a joke, make a quip, something to break the unbearable tension building between us. He reached out, and I took the chance, I grabbed his arm, and twisted him over my hip to throw him flat on the mat.
He groaned from his new place, flat on his back. “I wasn’t making a move.”
My heart was going way too fast, and it had nothing to do with the workout.
I shrugged, attempting to remain cool and collected. “Better safe than sorry. Better an assault charge than being shot or stabbed or something you can’t recover from.”
He pushed up on his elbows. “You’re very cynical.”
“Lots of observations about me today. I thought you did your research. Thought you knew everything about me.”
“I don’t need to know everything about you when you shout your emotions with every surly remark and sarcastic statement. You use your words like armor. I bet it’s hard for you to make friends.”
I crouched down to stare at him on his level. “Are you just mad you got your ass beat by a girl?”
He pushed up to sit. “It may surprise you, but I’ve been beat by many women. My mother was the one who started my combat training when I was a child.”
Oh... I kinda liked that. Strong women were fantastic.
I tried again. “Are you just mad you got beat by a human?”
He cocked his head and gave me a pointed look. “Fae are faster and stronger than humans. I wasn’t using my full strength because I didn’t want to harm you. I only wanted to test your skills to be sure it was safe to arm you. That you wouldn’t hurt yourself.”