LITMIR.BIZ

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I can’t keep a precious item like that.”

      It was important to him that Hyde have it. He didn’t look too deeply into that thought. “You already accepted it. I would like if you wore it tonight.”

      Hyde touched her bare wrist as if considering it. “I could do that. But I want you to think about it. If you change your mind and want it back, please ask.”

      He wouldn’t want it back. It looked great on Hyde and it belonged with her.

      * * *

      Hyde and Finn drove a sand buggy to Reed’s house. It was huge and opulent, the four-story building boasting numerous balconies and dozens of gleaming windows. Storm shutters carved with elaborate scrollwork were pinned to the sides of the windows, and the front of the house was adorned with Roman-style columns and graceful archways. It must have taken an army of engineers to safely place such a large building this close to the water.

      Inviting them to his home and this island, Barnett had an agenda. He had numerous politicians, police chiefs and judges on his payroll. He blackmailed people he couldn’t pay off. Everyone had something to hide. Dig deep enough, and anyone looking would hit pay dirt. He’d want to know Finn’s weakness.

      Barnett was the master of getting dirty, getting the people around him dirty and then slaughtering anyone who threatened to expose him. His list of friends was long, but his list of enemies was longer. Many people would like to see him dead.

      But many people would also line up to step into his shoes. Finn wanted Barnett and his organization torn to the ground and the roots ripped up. He wanted Barnett to pay dearly for killing Simon.

      They were escorted to the dining room. The walls and ceiling were painted with images of Victorian angels in the clouds, and the white floor tile was blinding. The room wasn’t what Finn had expected.

      Hyde squeezed Finn’s hand. She was wearing a light blue dress, which looked painted on. Cut low in the front, it clung to her hips and thighs. The bottom of the dress was uneven, drawing attention to her strong calves. She was playing her part, and it was distracting to have her so close and know she wasn’t available. The one thing he and Hyde had always done well was sex.

      Why was it off the table? Hyde was different, but Finn couldn’t figure out why. They were frequently apart and Finn missed much from her life. She had seemed to enjoy being close to her family. Had they convinced her to quit her life on the road?

      “Don’t frown, you look pissed off,” Hyde said. She set her free hand on the crook of his elbow. Every muscle in his body flexed in awareness, and his lust elevated to nearly unmanageable proportions.

      He leaned to kiss her cheek and they stared into each other’s eyes. Heat snapped between them and Finn wouldn’t buy this was an act. She played hell with his libido and it wasn’t a one-way street.

      Barnett was seated at the head of the table, no one at the other end. The brunette to his right had her body on display in a barely there orange gown. She was staring adoringly at Barnett. She looked like she was ready for a pageant, her hair curled and styled and makeup coating her face. Barnett was ignoring her, but she seemed unperturbed by it.

      She had to be his latest fling. Finn didn’t understand why women flocked to Barnett. His face was slim and his nose curved at the tip. He was wealthy and dressed well, but beneath his sophisticated demeanor hummed a quiet rage. Didn’t women sense that and want to avoid him? Barnett had an explosive temper. He could turn on a dime. Anyone who had spent time with him would see it and rightfully fear it.

      Barnett wasn’t a man to be trifled with. Acquaintances and companions who displeased him disappeared.

      Barnett stood in greeting. He gestured to the seats next to him. “Mr. Moore and the lovely Alexandra. Thank you for joining me tonight. This is my girlfriend, Ruby.”

      Finn held out Hyde’s chair for her and she took her seat. Finn then sat next to her and between her and Barnett. Drinks were brought and after an exchange of pleasantries, Barnett took over the conversation.

      “I am embarking on an exciting new opportunity. There are fortunes to be made. Before I share my grand plan, I need something from you.”

      Finn didn’t like where this was leading.

      Waiters in white gloves and black ties served appetizers. The longer Finn sat with Barnett, the dirtier he felt. And not dirty in a good way. Dirty as in, “my soul is being corrupted by the second.” If he was the average of the five people he spent the most time with, with the exception of Hyde, Finn was being dragged into the depths of immorality.

      “How about a show of your skill?” Barnett said.

      “What did you have in mind?” Finn asked.

      “Your reputation speaks to your skills as a marksman and as an explosives expert.”

      He was both, though he would rather Hyde handle explosives. Hyde was remarkable with them, having a sixth sense about timing and control.

      Barnett stood and picked up a plate. “Shoot this.”

      Barnett pulled his arm back and let the plate spin like a disc. Finn withdrew his gun and shot the plate before it hit the wall. It shattered, pieces striking the floor.

      Barnett’s brows were lifted and the corners of his mouth turned up in amusement. Ruby’s hand was over her mouth, staring at Finn.

      “Good reflexes and it answers my question that you traveled armed,” Barnett said.

      “Safer to assume every person I meet is armed,” Finn said.

      “Even your beautiful lady?” Barnett said.

      Finn touched Hyde’s shoulder, as if she’d need his protection and reassurance. “Alexandra knows how to protect herself.” Finn wouldn’t let on how skilled a spy Hyde was.

      Barnett snapped his fingers and pointed to the mess on the floor. Two waiters rushed to clean it up.

      At the sound of breaking glass, Finn scanned for the source. Another test?

      Ruby was on her feet apologizing.

      Barnett pointed at her. “You clumsy cow! That’s a five-thousand-dollar wineglass. How will you pay for it?”

      Barnett was a moron if he paid five thousand dollars for a piece of glass. Finn hid his disgust at Barnett’s reaction to what was probably a slip of her hand. Barnett had thrown a plate and had Finn destroy it for no reason. He had lodged a bullet in the ceiling, an expensive repair. Barnett wasn’t a man who cared about wasting money. But he obviously enjoyed humiliating his girlfriend.

      Ruby brought her hands to her mouth, and her body trembled. Hyde moved as if she planned to go to the woman’s side, but Finn clamped a hand on her forearm. If Hyde interfered, she could get Ruby killed. It had to be killing Hyde to see this. Since he had known her, Hyde had harbored a passion for protecting women who could not protect themselves. Rumors had swirled about Hyde’s actions to protect others, and Finn had witnessed it himself over the last several years.

      Humiliation was survivable. As long as Barnett didn’t throw a punch, Finn would let it play out.

      “I suggest you go to our room. You can make this up to me tonight.” His grin was lascivious and Ruby looked at Finn and Hyde, her face red, and then fled the room in tears.

      Barnett appeared composed. This was the hair-trigger temper Finn had read about. One moment Barnett was relaxed and jovial, and the next he was tearing someone to shreds.

      Hyde was seething, twisting her linen napkin in her lap and tapping the gun at her thigh, but she was keeping her facial expression in check. The rest of the meal passed without incident. Ruby did not return to the table and Finn didn’t blame her. He hoped she had found a boat and was hightailing it away from Barnett.

      When dinner was over, Barnett invited Finn to his private office for drinks and cigars.

      “Are you okay on your own?”

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