Page 111 of Hard Bargain

Dominic held his gaze. “Yeah.”

“It was…” he paused, like he was choosing the word carefully. “Thrilling.”

Dominic said nothing.

“Dangerous,” Knox continued. “Fucked up. People shouting. Men getting shot.” His eyes stayed on Dominic. “It was exhilarating.”

Dominic let the words settle, let them hang long enough to see if Knox would take them back, or soften them into something easier to deal with. He didn’t.

There it was. More honest than most people in Dominic’s world ever allowed themselves to be. He took another drink, letting the burn sit on his tongue before swallowing, his eyes never leaving Knox.

“It didn’t feel wrong,” Knox admitted, quieter now. “I keep waiting for it to feel wrong.”

“I know,” Dominic said.

Then—a feminine voice cut into the space between them. “You’re hard to find these days.”

A beautiful woman stepped up to their table with the kind of confidence that came from knowing exactly what she looked like: long legs, blonde hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders, and a dress that clung like it had been poured on. Her attention settled on Dominic like there was no one else in the room.

He recognized her. Sort of. His mind ran through names automatically—Elena…? No. Alina? Maybe. Aria? Something soft, something forgettable.

It didn’t matter.

“Well,” she said, smile practiced and seductive. “I was wondering when I’d see you again.”

Dominic leaned back in his seat, studying her without much interest. “Were you?”

Her hand slid along the edge of the table as she leaned in, close enough for her perfume to carry. “I almost thought you were avoiding me.”

“I was busy.”

Her smile didn’t falter. “I’m free tonight. Thought maybe we could pick up where we left off.”

Dominic looked at her properly then, letting his gaze settle where it was supposed to. This would be easy. A willing woman, no complications, nothing that lingered after. He could take her upstairs, lose himself in something that didn’t require thought. Something that didn’t pull at him in ways that refused to make sense.

Yes. This was what he needed. Not the constant, maddening awareness that sat under his skin every time Knox was near. He could feel the decision settling into place. It was the only one that made sense.

Say yes.

His mouth opened to answer—

A loud, deliberate cough cut through the moment.

Dominic’s attention shifted before he could stop it. Knox hadn’t moved much. He was still in his seat, angled the way he’d been, but the looseness was gone. Tension had taken its place—coiled, pissed, and restless, visible in the set of his jaw and the rhythmic tap of his fingers against the table.

Annoyance flickered through Dominic. “What?”

“You don’t want her.”

Dominic’s expression hardened. “I don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

“You’re already bored.”

A small, awkward laugh slipped from the woman. “Okay, wow—”

Neither of them looked at her. Knox didn’t even acknowledge she’d spoken.

Dominic ground his teeth together. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”