Savage Charm

Popping off the faux molding in the corner of the wood-paneled room, I entered the access code and a wall slid open revealing a small compartment. I reached in, removed a stack of files, and carried them to the desk. Using my phone, I snapped pictures of all the documents. Underneath them were photographs of people Daniels targeted for execution. Hard copies of offshore bank accounts were in the stack as well. I copied it all before putting it back the way I found it.

Once out of the room, I tracked down all the security footage. Anything that could implicate me was erased and purged from the system, but I made copies of anything that could be construed as evidence against Daniels. Before O’Connor tracked me down, I uploaded everything from my phone to an off-site server that only I could access.

And then O’Connor came into the security quarters and laid a bombshell at my feet.

The things he said about Peyton broke my fucking heart, not because she fucked him—although that didn’t help. It was the fact that she brought my name into it. The big Irishman accused me of some sordid shit.

“I ain’t gonna be part of some fucking threesome!”

“It’s not like that, Sean. I don’t know why—”

“Don’t fucking lie to me! That woman screamed ya name all damned afternoon. Then she started cryin’ about how her da didna love her. All of ya, fucking loony! I’m outta here. Solve ya own shit!”

I couldn’t stop him. Honestly, I didn’t have it in me to keep him from going. Problem was, Sean O’Connor was supposed to take my place. Become Daniels’ right-hand man and keep an eye on Peyton.

“Dash?”

I remained quiet with my back to the door, looking out over the yard one more time.

“Dash, I know you’re there.” Her voice traveled across the dark living room.

Taking a deep breath, I faced Peyton. It was time to put all of that, including her, behind me once and for all. I slipped my hands in my pockets and asked flatly, “What do you want?”

She brushed a hand across my chest, and I flinched as if her touch burned. In a way it did. Scorched a hole in my heart right down to my soul. I’d never be the same again.

“I just want you.”

I caught her fragrance. Fresh like flowers in a field on a hot summer’s day. My fingers itched to caress her, but I wouldn’t act on the impulse. It was an invitation to madness or a death wish.

“Don’t.” My voice, hollow and distant, sounded foreign.

“Why not? No one’s here but us.”

“It doesn’t matter.” I paused, exhaled, and slid another brick into the wall I built around my emotions. “I told you it’s over between us.”

Clean breaks were always best, I told myself.

Peyton pressed her body against mine, making my dick twitch. I couldn’t get enough of her.

The wall swayed.

She spoke near my ear. “Come on, Dash. You know you want to. Did you know that there’s scientific evidence that sex prevents massive heart attacks?”

The woman was good, but I had to be better. I stepped back. “I’ll have to take my chances.”

“Oh?” Peyton wouldn’t stop touching me—stroking my arms, running her fingers over my chest. “You have another option?”

“I’m leaving town.”