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“Why are you calling so early?”
From her tone, she’s noticed the extra security. I hope she doesn’t expect a mea culpa, because she’s not getting it.
“Not so early here. But I heard you had an appointment with that asshole from Bancroft Spirits, and I want to know how it went.”
“You heard? You mean you checked my schedule. Or maybe you asked one of the additional guards that’s been shadowing me since the wee hours of the morning?”
“We’ll get to that. But first talk to me about the meeting with Scott Bancroft.” Once I tell her about the traffickers and Lexie, that will be the end of any Bancroft discussion.
“He cornered me at the reception last night and insisted we meet for breakfast.”
“Cornered you?” My blood pressure is rising. I don’t like that fucker, even when he’s not cornering women I care about.
“That part wasn’t a big deal. Breakfast was fine too. But I don’t like that guy. Every time I see him, I feel like I need a shower.”
I feel like I need a shower. What the hell does that mean? “Did he say something to make you uncomfortable? Did he touch you?”
“Jesus, Rafael. With the amount of security that’s been added to my detail, you think anyone can get close enough to touch me? And we are going to talk about that. Don’t think I’m going to forget,” she huffs.
“It’s just a feeling I get about him,” she continues, seeming distracted. “He has that smarmy television preacher thing about him. Too pious. Too good. Too charming. Too slick with all that thick, shiny dark hair that’s so perfectly coiffed you can’t tell if it’s fake or his own. He’s creepy.”
I’ve heard enough. “Don’t meet with him alone again. Next time, he talks to me, or he doesn’t talk to anyone.”
When we launch in the US, we’re going to cut into Bancroft’s profits in a big way. He’s focused on Valentina because he thinks she’ll be easier to pry information out of than me. Good luck with that, buddy. I’ve pried information out of seasoned Bratva soldiers, but Valentina has had me chasing my tail more than once. She’s not spilling a goddamn thing by accident.
“I don’t plan on meeting with him again. Okay. Let’s not start with, You’re not in charge of my security. That’s so yesterday,” she taunts. “Instead, let’s begin with, What’s with the extra security?”
Working with Valentina on this project has made it the single best thing I’ve ever been involved in. If my mother were alive, she’d be thrilled that we not only run Premier together, but we share a special bond—despite what the monsters wanted. I do my best to treat her like a partner, but I won’t compromise her safety, even if it means incurring her wrath.
“You’re on Premier business. Premier decides when it’s necessary to increase the security on employees or principals traveling abroad.” Technically, I should have gone through Marco, but I’m not big on asking permission, especially from the likes of him.
“You might not be smarmy, but you’re as full of shit as Bancroft.”
I don’t want to worry her, but I do want her to call Lexie, and I want her to come back to Porto, especially now that Marco’s not with her. Not that I would ever trust that pussy to protect her.
“The traffickers were in Porto last night,” I say quietly. “At Sirena.”
“What? Oh my God. Was anyone hurt? Did they abduct another woman, Rafa?”
“No. Everyone’s okay, and the assholes we caught were turned over to the authorities.”
“You turned them over to the authorities?” she asks, like I just said the Douro River completely dried up last night while we slept. It’s just a huge hole in the earth now.
“Sometimes there’s no choice.” I pause, trying to figure out the best way to tell her the rest without upsetting her more than necessary. “You should know that Lexie got snared in their net.”
Valentina doesn’t say anything for several seconds. I’m sure she’s trying to wrap her head around it, much the same way I was when Lexie walked into Sirena with them.
“Lexie? My Lexie? Is this some kind of sick joke?”
There’s fear and anguish in her voice, and for a moment I regret telling her.
“She’s absolutely fine. You don’t need to worry. But it’s no joke.”
“Rafael. That’s so scary. How is she?”
Gorgeous. Sassy. Sexy as hell. “A little shaken up. She’s staying at your apartment for the time being, so she doesn’t have to deal with her father. I didn’t think you’d mind.”
“Of course I don’t mind. I wouldn’t want to deal with my father either if I skipped out on my security.”
