Bait: A dark erotic thriller (Hunter & Prey Book 2) by Kira Barker Page B
Authors: Kira Barker
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a problem solver.”
Completely legal my work might not be, but I was sure that this would ramp up to a criminal record in no time.
Looking at the paper in my hand, I folded it and put it away in my purse, then held out my hand for her to shake.
“Deal.”
Her grasp was as firm as I remembered it, and this time, her smile was real.
“Speaking of which,” she said, getting up to fetch a single piece of paper from her desk. “I happen to have a printout of Darren’s personal calendar, including the events where he intends to show Daliah around. You might find this very useful.”
I accepted the contraband from her, smirking when I saw that the weekends firmly belonged to my favorite place in the world—the country club.
“You know, it would probably help me if you’d foot me an invite,” I remarked. “Or, better yet, sponsor my membership. I can more than afford it. And I think I’m now of an age where having young, spunky boys wait on me hand and foot becomes interesting rather than embarrassing.”
Alison laughed, just as I’d intended her to.
“So no more awkwardly sitting at the bar, cringing whenever a disgruntled wife glares at you?”
I shrugged, the very memory making my gorge rise, but it was easy to ignore.
“I’m no longer the woman who their husbands cheat on them with. They all have sons. Sons-in-law. Or maybe even husbands that they want to divorce but can’t unless they are caught in flagrante because their prenups force them to take extreme measures. And if they are friendly with me, they might even get me to sic one of my girls on one of their rivals’ husbands? Who knows? The possibilities are endless. I just need someone to open the door for me.”
“Done,” she agreed, still highly amused. “Just remember that I am one of the women who would not appreciate her husband to get tempted.”
“He’s blacklisted,” I offered—not without a healthy amount of satisfaction. No doubt Ray would find company elsewhere—if Alison allowed it.
“Very well then,” Alison said, getting up with a clear purpose of dismissal. “I will get back to you about the country club as soon as that is sorted out. Or, better yet, have someone from the committee call you. I’m sure she will choke on it, whoever is misfortunate enough to get tasked with it.” She paused, focusing on something behind me, likely someone passing beyond the partially fogged glass wall. “Which reminds me… you could start your new task right now. As always, it was a pleasure to talk to you, Penelope.”
“Likewise, Alison,” I said, not quite sure what she meant—until I stepped out into the hallway and came face to face with Darren, wearing rather casual clothes even for Casual Friday—khakis and a dark polo shirt. Someone else might have appeared ridiculous in that, considering all the perfectly tailored suits around, but he just looked delectable.
I might have been biased, though. And with the way his eyes perfectly peeled me out of my clothes, it was hard to focus on anything else—except maybe the security hatchet over by the fire station.
“I thought today was your day off?” Alison chirped from behind me, clearly talking to her junior partner. “Oh, I forgot. You mentioned that you would come in briefly to catch an update on the Mercantor case, right?”
Darren’s eyes lingered on me a moment longer before they skipped over my shoulder to Alison.
“Right. And of course you forgot.”
It was not just that he said it, but how he said it, that made it obvious that there was some bad blood between the two of them—something that I would have thought of as impossible mere months ago. He also didn’t seem particularly happy to see me here, but that wasn’t news. That Alison had clearly set things in motion, hitting the perfect timing, was obvious, and the fact that it irked Darren sweetened the deal for me more than any amount of money ever could.
Smiling at Alison one last time, I
Completely legal my work might not be, but I was sure that this would ramp up to a criminal record in no time.
Looking at the paper in my hand, I folded it and put it away in my purse, then held out my hand for her to shake.
“Deal.”
Her grasp was as firm as I remembered it, and this time, her smile was real.
“Speaking of which,” she said, getting up to fetch a single piece of paper from her desk. “I happen to have a printout of Darren’s personal calendar, including the events where he intends to show Daliah around. You might find this very useful.”
I accepted the contraband from her, smirking when I saw that the weekends firmly belonged to my favorite place in the world—the country club.
“You know, it would probably help me if you’d foot me an invite,” I remarked. “Or, better yet, sponsor my membership. I can more than afford it. And I think I’m now of an age where having young, spunky boys wait on me hand and foot becomes interesting rather than embarrassing.”
Alison laughed, just as I’d intended her to.
“So no more awkwardly sitting at the bar, cringing whenever a disgruntled wife glares at you?”
I shrugged, the very memory making my gorge rise, but it was easy to ignore.
“I’m no longer the woman who their husbands cheat on them with. They all have sons. Sons-in-law. Or maybe even husbands that they want to divorce but can’t unless they are caught in flagrante because their prenups force them to take extreme measures. And if they are friendly with me, they might even get me to sic one of my girls on one of their rivals’ husbands? Who knows? The possibilities are endless. I just need someone to open the door for me.”
“Done,” she agreed, still highly amused. “Just remember that I am one of the women who would not appreciate her husband to get tempted.”
“He’s blacklisted,” I offered—not without a healthy amount of satisfaction. No doubt Ray would find company elsewhere—if Alison allowed it.
“Very well then,” Alison said, getting up with a clear purpose of dismissal. “I will get back to you about the country club as soon as that is sorted out. Or, better yet, have someone from the committee call you. I’m sure she will choke on it, whoever is misfortunate enough to get tasked with it.” She paused, focusing on something behind me, likely someone passing beyond the partially fogged glass wall. “Which reminds me… you could start your new task right now. As always, it was a pleasure to talk to you, Penelope.”
“Likewise, Alison,” I said, not quite sure what she meant—until I stepped out into the hallway and came face to face with Darren, wearing rather casual clothes even for Casual Friday—khakis and a dark polo shirt. Someone else might have appeared ridiculous in that, considering all the perfectly tailored suits around, but he just looked delectable.
I might have been biased, though. And with the way his eyes perfectly peeled me out of my clothes, it was hard to focus on anything else—except maybe the security hatchet over by the fire station.
“I thought today was your day off?” Alison chirped from behind me, clearly talking to her junior partner. “Oh, I forgot. You mentioned that you would come in briefly to catch an update on the Mercantor case, right?”
Darren’s eyes lingered on me a moment longer before they skipped over my shoulder to Alison.
“Right. And of course you forgot.”
It was not just that he said it, but how he said it, that made it obvious that there was some bad blood between the two of them—something that I would have thought of as impossible mere months ago. He also didn’t seem particularly happy to see me here, but that wasn’t news. That Alison had clearly set things in motion, hitting the perfect timing, was obvious, and the fact that it irked Darren sweetened the deal for me more than any amount of money ever could.
Smiling at Alison one last time, I
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