“Will you grow back your beard?” She reached up and stroked his smooth jaw with her fingers. “You don’t look like yourself without it.”
“Anything you want, baby. The boys at Bane thought I’d fit in better here with the clothes and fancy haircut. But if you want the beard back, I’ll gladly grow it again.”
She blinked. “I think this is the most you’ve said in one sitting since we met.”
“Somethin’ else I’m workin’ on.” He looked down, as if trying to decide on what to say. “A man once told me that the less you say, the less you give away. I learned a long time ago to only speak when strictly necessary.”
“Well, you learned that lesson pretty well.”
“I did. But for you, I’ll do better. At least, when we’re alone.”
Suzie couldn’t help the smile. This was a new side of Stunner she wanted to explore. “I’d like that.”
He nodded once then turned to go again. Before he got to the door, he seemed to make a conscious effort to stop himself. He turned back to her. “I have a bag in the cage -- er -- car. I’ll be right back.”
As he shut the door behind him, Suzie actually giggled. She was still put out with him, but he’d gone a long way already toward making her feel better.
Chapter Four
Cain might well kill him. If not his president, his woman certainly would. This was going to happen. Suzie was his. Cain thought he knew what she needed, thought Stunner was a good man, but he was wrong on so many levels. He’d be loyal to her, protect her with everything in him down to his very life, but his needs ran dark. And she needed soft and sweet. Caring. Vanilla in the extreme. She needed someone who could show her the joys of sex and pleasure without pushing her too far. Stunner would definitely push her.
On his way out, he saw Jake on the phone. The man had changed his clothes and was really engrossed in his call, so much so he missed Stunner walking across the lobby. The second he did, Jake jumped up from his chair and put it between him and Stunner. Though he was hyperaware of the little fuck, Stunner merely glanced in his direction before turning away. He gave it just enough attention to let the other man know he was watching. He also knew Jake was doing his best to get Suzie in trouble. Most likely over Stunner being there. Which made him grind his teeth. Was the whole world conspiring against him? Was this even a good idea? If he got her kicked out of school, she’d never forgive him.
It was almost enough to make him get in the fucking cage and drive back to Florida with his tail tucked between his legs. Almost. Only the thought of Suzie waiting upstairs on him made him grab his duffle and head back to her.
Jake met him at the door. Yeah. Whole fucking world was against him.
“You don’t belong here. And you certainly don’t need a girl like Suzie. You do realize she’s about to flunk out, right?”
Two women he’d noticed sitting in the corner watching him when he’d first entered the lobby approached him then. “Jake’s right. Why not spend some time with real women? Not only are we smart, but we’ve got sex honed to a fine science.”
The other one agreed with a wide, predatory smile. “We could definitely blow your mind.” She glanced at his crotch. “Or other parts of your body.”
“Not interested,” he said without so much as a second glance. Turning to Jake he said, “Not sure what your problem with Suzie is, but this is the last time I talk to you.”
When he started to go around the trio, Jake stepped in front of him, putting his hand in the middle of Stunner’s chest to halt his progress. “You’re obviously a man of means. You need a woman in your class. Obviously any woman at MIT would be better than someone like Suzie.” He chuckled. “Hell, even her name is childish.” He lowered his voice as if he were an old friend imparting the deal of a lifetime. “Look. My father knows people. He’s not only an MIT graduate, but he’s big in the field of weapons tech. Your ExFil operation probably got their weapons from him. He’s making a deal with Argent Tech. Once it’s complete, he’ll be on their board. If you help me out here, I can see to it he’ll help you out.”
“With what?”
Jake looked at Stunner like he knew he had a sucker. Also, like he had Stunner right where he wanted him. Which was away from Suzie.
“With anything your boss needs. Look,” he said when Stunner opened his mouth to answer. “Don’t make any decisions until you talk with your boss. He’ll be angry if you fuck up a good opportunity for him to save money. I might even get ExFil set up as a test facility.”
Stunner wanted to point out that the son of a bitch had no idea what he was talking about. Instead he took out his cell -- a burner, so it didn’t matter if he left it -- and punched in the number to the Boneyard.
Pops answered on the third ring. “You good?” No question Pops knew who the call was from. Each team had some kind of safeguard in place in case they needed something immediately.
“Fine. Need Cain.”
“Sure thing. Hang on.” There was blaring music in the background and raucous laughter. Then everything was muffled for a few seconds. He heard a door closing in the background, then Cain’s voice came over the earpiece. Stunner put him on speaker phone.
“Stunner. Is Suzie OK?”
“Fine. I have someone here who thinks you need to hear him out.”
“I see. Any idea
