Dangerous Illusions (Steel Hawk Book 3) by Sarah Ballance

Author:Sarah Ballance [Ballance, Sarah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romantic suspense, royalty, private investigator, corporate espionage, betrayal, spies, female investigator, lawyer, antihero
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Published: 2016-08-15T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Monique looked up as her contact entered the café. He didn’t come straight for her. He never did. Instead, he spoke to a few other patrons and chatted up the barista. It wasn’t until he’d paid for his purchase—today a pack of gum—that he approached. He dropped the gum he’d just purchased on the floor and leaned to pick it up.

“That bitch stuck her fingernails in my eye,” he hissed. “You can pass that along. Let him know my price just went up.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she murmured. Though she kept her voice low, the man’s anger alarmed her, as did the implication of his words.

“He assured me I wouldn’t have any trouble today. I don’t take guarantees lightly.”

Who assured him? Monique wasn’t allowed to make eye contact, but she did it anyway. “He contacted you?”

The man straightened but spoke in a low voice. His tone deceptively pleasant, he said, “You’re not the only game in town, cupcake. Tell him I won’t have any information until I’m properly compensated for my trouble.”

“But—”

He shrugged. “Sorry. Break’s over, and I seem to have gotten something in my eye. You tell him.” He backed away from her, grinning. With a short, friendly wave—one he repeated to a number of people throughout the café—he walked outside and crossed the street to Steel Hawk.

Monique’s hands shook.

You’re not the only game in town. The words could only mean one thing—Rufus had someone else.

He’d grown distant. He’d neglected her. And now this, her greatest fear realized.

She snapped shut her laptop and stood. She was leaving. To go now would be to abandon his orders, but the contact had already made himself clear.

It was past time Rufus did the same.

* * * * *

Edward didn’t so much walk as he stalked back to Sophie’s hotel, and there was no getting away from him. He kept a tight hold on her arm and stepped easily through the crowded sidewalks, but he was tall, wide, and etched with fury. It was no mystery why people scattered.

When they arrived, he went straight for the elevator. “Which floor?”

“Seventh.”

He punched the button and didn’t release her until the elevator door closed.

She adjusted the bag that had slipped from her shoulder. “Are you that afraid I’ll get away?”

“Trust me, Ms. Garza,” he said, his voice as dark as his countenance, “that’s the least of my concerns.”

The doors slid open. He reached for her, but she stopped him with a glare. “I can manage.”

“I’m sure you can.” He took her arm again, irritating her. She wasn’t a prisoner. “Which way?” he asked.

Sophie shook him off and led the way to her room. She swiped the key card, then pushed open the door and stood back, a sarcastic gesture for him to enter.

He did. She couldn’t say she was surprised, but she’d still only half expected him to go inside.

She frowned. “You don’t read people very well, you know.”

He shot her a dark look. “What’s to read? You don’t want me in here. Message received.

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