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“The dead part?”
“The part where you think I’d go down easily.”
“I don’t underestimate you, Javier. That’s where it becomes dangerous for you.” At those words, I shift my attention to him and arch a brow. “Your heart is black, and I hired you for that quality, but watching my cousin run you around will be the highlight of my days. Just don’t let it interfere with work. You do, and the consequences won’t be agreeable.”
“Understood.”
“Good.” He waves a hand in the air. “Now, go get your milk because she’s not coming back.”
“Not necessary.” Picking up my lukewarm cup of coffee, I bring it to my lips and take a large sip. “I take it black and without sugar. That was just to annoy her.”
“She’s not a wilting flower. Her bark is darker than her bite.”
“I’m counting on that.”
The first thing I notice as I exit Malcolm’s office a few hours later is the lack of movement. No one’s here. No noise. Nothing but the sweet lingering scent of her perfume and the temptation it causes.
It pulls me in the direction of her desk where it’s stronger, where I can almost feel Mariah’s fire surround me, and I sit in her chair.
A little creepy? Maybe.
Do I care? Not one bit.
The first thing I take notice of is how organized—uncluttered—her items are. Not so much as a pen is out of place and I remedy that by repaying the little beauty for making me hard all afternoon.
For each time she walked into his office with a file.
For each time she brushed past my arm, extending herself while placing an item down in front of him.
My muñeca could’ve walked around but chose not to. So I’m choosing to do this.
I pull out a pen with my name monogrammed and leave it in her holder. Then, I take hers. All ten of them. A simple switch that will annoy her, and so will the flipping of file placements.
What’s on the left will move to the right and vice versa.
“She’s going to kill you.”
“More than likely.” I’m scribbling a note for her to find before standing from her seat and facing an amused Malcolm. “I’m not afraid.”
“Don’t say I never gave you fair warning. I think I’ve more than done that today.”
“Understood.” Patting my pocket with her pens, I smirk. “Now, have a good evening.”
The elevator’s already waiting when I press the arrow down, and as I step through, my phone rings. It stops at the third ping and then starts again once I press the button for the lobby.
Not many people have this number, so I pull it out and answer without looking at the caller ID. “Hello?”
“Mijo!” Mom’s excited voice comes through the line, wind rustling on her side. “How are you? Are you eating okay?”
“I’m good. Can’t complain too much.” The large metal doors close and the metal box begins to descend as I lean back. “I’m pretty settled in now and I’ve made the necessary moves. Have you thought about my proposal?”
“Not interested.”
“Think of it as a mini-vacation.” I want her out of the country for a few months. “Just enough time for you to relax, maybe cook me a meal or two—”
“I know what you’re doing, and it’s unnecessary.” There’s a hint of annoyance in her tone, that motherly don’t-argue-with-me-on-this that almost makes me laugh, but I rein it in. If I go that route, I’ll lose. Ida Lucas is the most stubborn woman I know. “Besides, I’m staying with your aunt Sara for now. Alejandro picked me up yesterday against my will.”
“Did he, now?” The doors open and I step out, nodding at the guard beside the entrance. He has an envelope in his hand and casually slips it into mine before I cross the exit. I know what’s inside: my ID for clearance, a key to a company SUV, and a monetary donation for agreeing to his terms. “When was this?”
