“Uh . . . about that . . .” Chris rocked back on his heels. “I might have already mentioned the dinner. And that Tate wanted her to come. I told her I’d see her tomorrow night because I was planning on riding with both of you.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” I rubbed my temples and leaned against the wall. “I’m gonna punch you so hard in the nuts that you won’t be able to fuck for a week.” I growled and tightened my hands into fists.
Chris held his hands up and stepped back. “Okay, okay. Sorry. But how was I supposed to know you didn’t want her to come?”
“Why the hell would I want Heidi to come with me to Tate’s?”
Chris glanced over my shoulder, cleared his throat, and tugged on his collar. I knew without looking that Heidi stood behind me and had heard my last sentence. “Uh . . . and that’s my cue to leave. Nice seeing you again, Heidi.”
“Shit,” I muttered under my breath. Looking over my shoulder, I said, “Hey, darlin’,” with a fake-ass grin on my face. “Have I mentioned how pretty you look tonight in those shorts?”
She didn’t answer me. Instead she walked Chris to the door. “Thanks for coming.”
I couldn’t hear Chris’s reply, but he glanced at me one more time before leaving. I didn’t move. Just watched Heidi as she locked the door behind him. We were alone. She leaned her hands on the door and took a deep breath. By the time she turned around, I knew I was in for a fight. The look in her eyes only confirmed it.
“What’s happening tomorrow night at Tate’s?” she asked softly. “And why don’t you want me there?”
“Nothing. And because it’s nothing you would want to go to.” I rubbed the back of my neck and tried my best to look innocent of any possible wrongdoing. I had a strong poker face with everyone else, but with Heidi, I wasn’t any good at it. If she even suspected that her being there would help my case with Tate, it would be impossible to get her to stay home. “It’s just a stupid work party.”
She nodded as if she wasn’t pissed off at all. “And by work party, you mean . . . what? Champagne and lobster? Caviar and mousse? Only the best gourmet treats for the crème de la crème of Boston’s criminal elite?”
It sounded ridiculous when she said it like that, and that was probably the point, but Heidi didn’t know Tate considered himself something of a foodie. The mousse would probably be salmon. “Tate uses these parties to network and build alliances. Half the invitees are probably on some agency’s most-wanted list. You have to practically provide a DNA sample to get past the security, but once you’re inside the house, anything goes.” I cocked a brow. “Everything illicit that you could possibly conjure up. It’ll be there.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Drugs? Murder? Prostitution?”
“Drugs? Sure. Murder? Hopefully not. Girls? Yeah, there’ll be some.” I shrugged. “But not for us. Tate doesn’t mind if we party a little, but bottom line, it’s a business event. The women are for the clients.”
“Oh my God.” She crossed her arms. “Seriously?”
“Don’t worry—I’m not interested in them, or anyone else.” I skimmed my knuckles over her soft cheek. “I only want you.”
She licked her lips and stared up at me, her wide blue eyes locked on me. She looked so soft. So hesitant. As if unsure of her welcome, and that made me feel like even more of a dick, because I’d made her doubt herself by being a prick for a few hours. “Oh . . .”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.”
She blinked at me, clearly thrown off. “For?”
“Being an asshole.” I pulled her into my arms. “I thought . . . actually, it doesn’t matter why I did it. It was a stupid idea, and you deserve better.”
“I thought you were just in a bad mood.” She softened and rested her hands on my shoulders. “Tell me the truth. Why did you do it?”
“I wanted to scare you away. Send you running with my cash with a few callous remarks.” I rested my forehead on hers, gripping her hips, and breathed in her scent. “It didn’t work, though. It’s so fucking easy for me to be an ass to everyone. Everyone but you.”
A smile lit up her face. “Even if you managed to be the biggest jerk in the world, it wouldn’t have changed a thing. I told you I’m not going anywhere, and I meant it.” She skimmed her fingers over my jaw. I could barely feel her touch, but it soothed the beast inside me. “I’m not leaving till this thing is over.”
What she meant by this thing, I didn’t know. But I wasn’t about to ask. It wouldn’t be fair of me. Not when I was standing at the entrance of the Valley of Death. And something inside of me, deep, deep down, below all the anger and knowledge, believed her. That scared the shit out of me.
Not trusting myself to speak, I let go of her, walked to the door, unlocked it, and motioned her through it. She wore short denim shorts, a tight sweater, and a pair of knee-high boots, so like usual, she shivered as soon as she stepped outside, even though it was slightly warmer tonight.