Page 10 of Savage Boss
The scent of her perfume, the sound of her cries of pleasure, the slight smokiness to her voice. Irememberthat long, dark, straight hair with the blunt-cut bangs thatfeltlike silk as itslippedthrough my fingers. I remember touching her heart-shaped face. Ican still tastethose full lips; lipspaintedthe color of a rich Bordeaux today. And to see her eyes, a bronze-hazel color thatseemedtodrawin all the light in the room, was enough to hook me all over again.
My body craves her like it craves water, air, and food.
“You could say that,” is what I tell Pavel. He knows there’s more to it, but he also knows not to ask, for now. “I want a full background check on her.”
His expression turns to one of confusion. “There would have been one done before shejoinedthe company.”
“Yes, but Iwantmore than that. I want everything about her past, her present, who shedated,and what sheatelast night. All of it.”
There’s a twitch at the corner of Pavel’s mouth. Not quite a smile but something resembling amusement. “Got you tangled up, doesn’t she?”
No, she’s got me entirelytwisted,because I haven’t been able to get her out of my mind. And I can’t have that.
“It’s due diligence, Pavel. She came to me that night as a fluke, and I want to ensure it was just that—a fluke, that she wasn’t sent here to stir up trouble.”
“Or get information.” Paveladds.
I nod.
Pavel watches me with his hands steepled over his stomach, green eyes contemplating me, until annoyance crops up as a twinge in my chest.
“What?”
“Is this Clara Benson going to become a distraction?”
“She isn’t a distraction; she’s a liability, and liabilities get people killed.” A distraction is a lost dollar. A liability is a bullet to the head. “This isn't a game of corporate law, Pavel. We both know what happens when thepakhanloses trust.”
That wipes the smirk from his face, and he clears his throat as he straightens in his chair. “On that note, we absolutely have a mole somewhere in the company.”
The lingering warmth from my run-in with Clarais dousedinstantly. “You’re sure?”
“Someone’s been talking to the cops. Our own mole is hearing rumors within law enforcement—they’re gathering what they need. We don’t know how much they have yet.”
“Any idea who itis?”
Pavelshakeshis head. “Unfortunately, no. Not yet.”
I curse, the computer monitor and crystal paperweight jumping as I bring my fist down onto the desktop. “We have to find this traitor before the next Bratva council, before the others decide my seat is vulnerable."
“Dah,” Pavel agrees, because he knows it’s true. He knows just how much is at stake.
Fatemust be playinggames with me. Clara, of all people,showsup toworkfor me at the worst possible time, just as I’mbattlingan unknown andgrowing threat.
It’s the worst possible time to try togetClara Benson, her curves, and those eyes out of my head.
6
CLARA
Ican getused to a job with a view like this.
The last rays of the setting sunarea shimmering glow at the horizon, making the skyline and the buildings blaze, especially where the lightreflectsoff the windows. Ipackup my bag,slipon my jacket, andclosemy office door behind me. The officeismostly empty, with just a couple of my coworkers stillsittingat their desks. Ipassthem as Iheadtoward the elevator.
Despite the way the day started, it ended well. I think I showed my best side; John seemed pleased with me. I managed not to let thoughts of the big boss upstairs distract me.
Not too much, anyway.
I’m looking forward to going home, settling on the couch, and watching some trashy TV, with a glass of wine and Indian leftovers from my dinner with Emily to celebrate my new job.
