Live Wire (Ramsey Security #2)

"How did he die?"

"Driving home from work, his truck hit a slick spot on the road, and he lost control. He survived the crash, but when he was climbing out of the truck, it began rolling. Just a fluke accident."

"I'm sorry," she says, sounding genuinely sympathetic.

"Thanks. Mom made sure I knew him as much as I could when I was growing up."

"When did Ruth and Nell get together?"

"My father left a decent life insurance policy, and their old house was paid off. Mom only worked part-time. Nell was recently divorced and moved into the house to save money. They were two women starting over. At some point, they became more. I was a kid, so I didn't notice anything change. They were both around, raising me."

"How did you get into acting?"

"Tell me about your mother first."

"She was cold."

"Cold how?"

"She tried to abort me while in a third world country," Saskia says nonchalantly. "She told the doctor not to fuck up anything, so he ended up being so careful that I survived. When she realized the mistake, she decided pregnancy was something she could use in her job. Once I was born, she hired someone to raise me. When I was old enough, she trained me to be like her."

Her story horrifies me nearly as much as her indifference does. "Did she tell you about the abortion?"

"Of course. Maven didn't believe in lies unless they benefited her."

"That was her name?"

"No, her name was Elena. Maven was her code name. Mine was Little Maven."

"What did you do when she died? You were only seventeen. Did the woman who raised you continue to care for you?"

"No, she was dead too."

"So what did you do?"

"I disposed of the Maven's most loyal people and took over her business."

The way she speaks of her past is devoid of any emotion. Our accountant is livelier when discussing taxes.

"Why did you stop that line of work?"

"Boredom."

"Really?"

"Yes."

Right now, right here, Saskia is all I can think about. Her life before I met her shouldn't matter, but it does. I want her to show me something. Pain, sadness, anger, joy, anything to reveal her humanity.

"Nothing happened that made you want to live a different life?" I ask, hoping to see a glimmer of life in her cold eyes.

"No. I wasn't raised to be sentimental."

"Neither was I, but I have plenty of life changing moments."

"I'm sorry."

Saskia doesn't know what I want her to say, so I offer her an out. "It's not your fault your mother was a cold woman."

"No."

Even confused about my questions, Saskia refuses to show a hint of emotion. Her silence now feels like a lie, just as her cold eyes do. She hides everything. Not just from me, but from everyone. Saskia infected me with a nearly unbearable need. Fair or not, I need her to show me something.

"You were meant to be here right now with me," I say.

"Really?"

"You nearly died before you were born. I'm sure you nearly died a number of times in your line of work. Yet here you are sitting across the table from me. It's fate."

Saskia studies me, seeming genuinely surprised by my words. "Do you believe in that?"

"Yes. Well I believe in God and the good in people. I believe what you felt wasn't really boredom, but the desire to do more. Now you are."

"I'm babysitting a grown man."

Frowning, I realize Saskia responds to uncomfortable situations by lashing out. Likely Mother Maven did the same thing. I can't imagine growing up with such a cold bitch, yet somehow I'm drawn to the cold bitch across the table.

Sighing dramatically, I pat her hand. "I feel bad that I got off in the car, and you're still waiting for your orgasm. I promise to fix that injustice when we get back."

Saskia stares at me, thrown off by my lack of anger. She might know how to push my buttons, but I'm figuring out how to push hers too.

"I can manage on my own."

I caress my bottom lip and smile. "I'm sure you can, but I don't imagine you'd enjoy it as much. I still remember what your pussy felt like wrapped around my cock when you came. You weren't faking that."

"It's true that I enjoy sex with attractive men. I did before you, and I will after this job."

"Is this where I cry and beg you to stay?"

"I don't know. Maybe. You're a very delicate man."

Grinning wider, I take every insult as a sign of how badly she wants me. Saskia holds my gaze, daring me to be angry. No, not daring. She's fucking begging me to lash out.

"You moan in your sleep," I murmur. "Like you're dreaming of me fucking you."

"You or some other man. Lots of possibilities."

"Your cold heart can't be thawed then?" I tease, tapping her foot.

"Doubtful. I will sacrifice anyone to save myself. Wouldn't even feel guilty afterwards," she insists, staring hard at me.

"You know, I used to be an actor, so I could show you a few tips on how to lie better."

Saskia rolls her eyes. "This is just a job."

"Oh, I know. For me too. Part of the Ramsey contract came with sexual benefits. It's why I picked a chick as my bodyguard."

"You're not funny."

"You want to laugh though."