Page 118 of Summer Heat
“Roman?”
“Yeah, Roman. The jackass who runs his mouth like he’s an alpha dog on ’roids. Though you seem to be a classier version.”
“And who are you again?” Her eyes swept the DC cityscape.
“Jared Westin.”
“We’ve established that, Einstein. You work together?”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“Oh, cut the shit, Jared Westin, Jackass to the Spies.”
His laugh sounded like a grumble bouncing off the walls of a cave. She got the idea he tossed barbells for fun and spent too much time at the gun range. “I like you.”
“Spectacular. At least one of us is feeling the other.” She gave him a smile that moved the dial from sarcastic to snarky.
“Want to do a job with us?”
Then again, if he wanted to talk about a job, she’d listen. “You’re with Titan Group?”
“In a manner of speaking, yes. I’m with Titan.”
“Well, in a manner of speaking, explain a little more, or I’m gone.”
“Roman works for me. As does Cash. As does everyone at Titan.”
For him? Crap. This was the big boss, and she wasn’t on her best behavior. “You could’ve just said that.”
“And miss all this fun? Not on your life, princess.”
What? Princess? “I’m not a princess. Why am I here?”
“I want the butler, and the candlestick too, if you think you’ve got it in you.” For the first time, Nicola was willing to let him play his game. He tilted his head. “Got your attention, didn’t I?”
“The CIA sent me to you because of the butler?”
“The CIA doesn’t trust him either. You’ve been partnered with him, and you and I are going to smoke his ass out.”
“And why aren’t the Farm boys doing that?”
Jared smirked, maybe as impressed with some of her co-workers as she was. “It was better to outsource this one. They already had us working on Antilla Smooth anyway.”
“Yeah, found that out.”
His smile was half-cocked and fully-loaded with a snarly comment. “You’re just like Roman. Bet you’re a pain in the ass too. Aren’t you, princess?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’ll partner with you if you don’t call me princess.”
“Why are you negotiating when we both know you can’t wait to gut the fucker?”
He wasn’t at all stupid. “Fine.”
“Fine. I’ll be in touch.” He turned toward the elevator. “Have a good evening.”
Of all the people this blind date could have been, Titan’s head honcho wasn’t someone who’d crossed her mind. Nicola’s phone buzzed in her purse. Unknown caller ID.
“Hello.”
