Page 62 of Bargaining

“Vatican City today.” Charlotte popped her head around the balcony door.

Her hair hung damp from the shower and a towel wrapped tight around her chest, pushing up her full, shapely breasts. I fought to keep my gaze from drifting down to where the towel skimmedher delicious, thick thighs. She moved to the balcony and peered at the impressive panorama over Rome. This had to be the best view in the city. The Colosseum and Roman Forum dominated the mosaic of terracotta rooftops and winding cobbled streets.

Her eyes filled with wonder. “You could stay here forever and never get bored. How am I going to fit it all in?” Her voice was bright. “Sure you don’t want to come today?”

“I have too much work to do.” I paced to the other end of the balcony, holding my phone up to see if any magical little bars of reception would appear.

Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Leonardo. Raphael. Michelangelo. Donatello. We’re talking about all the turtles in one place. Iconic Renaissance art and history at its finest. But why would anyone want to take time off work for that?”

“Because it’s inhumanely hot and overcrowded with tourists.”

“It’s not that bad. You can’t take a break?”

“I’m the head of the company.”

“So? Don’t you have minions?”

None that I could trust not to sell the company for magic beans.

“You’re on honeymoon. People are going to think it’s weird that you’re working.”

“I can’t afford to take time off.”

She threw her hands up. “We’re in Rome. You can’t afford not to. You can’t put a price on beauty, Cole.”

“Yes. You can. This suite costs five thousand euros a night. My work obligations come first. That’s the first point in the contract. If you want to go on more trips like this, then you’d better let me do my job so I can bankroll it.”

Hurt glimmered in her eyes. “Of course. Sorry I mentioned it. Do what you need to do.”

She disappeared back into the suite. A guilty feeling swept over me. I’d been too harsh, but it was the adrenaline thrummingthrough my body. Why could I never take time off without my company falling to shit? I’d hardly slept last night thinking about her words in the hotel bar. Everyone thought I was an arsehole, and I didn’t give a fuck, but it rattled me how much she despised me. These past few days in Rome had lifted her spirits. I didn’t want my shitty attitude bringing her down.

I dialed Theo’s number again. He answered on the fifth ring.Sloppier than ever.

“I’m in the middle of something,” he growled.

“Any security updates?”

“Stop calling me. You’re on honeymoon.” I could hear his disapproving frown in his tone.

“Answer my question.”

“For fuck’s sake. You’re going to make me lose the bet.”

“What bet?”

“I gave the two of you a year. Lucas said six months. Stop thinking about work or you’re not going to make it past a week. Lucas said your shareholders are grumbling. They won’t like you offering on this hotel—”

“What is Philip offering Gabe? He’s filled my company with moles. Maybe it’s time I returned the favor. I want eyes and ears inside his office. I’m sick of him getting the jump on me.”

Silence filled the line before his low growl. “I can’t help you with that.”

“Why not?”

“Because if we park the ethics to one side, you’re asking me to commit corporate espionage. You want to get yourself locked up? You don’t need to stoop tohislevel.”

Then what? Let Philip win? Not going to happen.Sweat dripped down the back of my neck. I needed to get out of this heat, and I needed a fucking espresso. “You used to get paid to blow shit upand kill people in Helmand, and now when I ask you to do something for me, you’ve developed a conscience?”

“Fuck you.” The line went dead.