Hell on Heels (Hotel Rodeo #1)(7)

His words gave her a sudden chill. “Is that some kind of threat?”

Did she even know this man? She’d seen his ruthlessness in business, and now, for the second time in their relationship, he’d revealed a darker, controlling, and manipulative side that made her increasingly uncomfortable.

“Not at all,” he replied mildly. “I’m simply reminding you that nothing worthwhile in this world comes for free. You’ve been around long enough to know that. You scratch my back, I scratch yours, and all that.... But it’s not my back that’s itching. So tell you what, Mon, I’ll make this whole thing real simple. You take care of me and I’ll take care of you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Blow me and I’ll let you take my plane to Vegas. One call and you fly out tonight. You see how neat that is?” He flashed a smug smile. “We each get what we want. Problem solved.”

She weighed his offer—ten minutes on her knees in exchange for a flight on a private jet. She could be by her father’s side in a matter of hours. It did seem simple on the surface. It wasn’t as if she’d never given Evan head before, and she even had his ring on her finger. But on deeper examination, the whole thing felt far too much like emotional extortion.

She studied his face, wondering what other surprises lurked beneath the surface. “What if I refuse?”

He shook his head slowly, a deep frown furrowing his brow. “Now, why the f*ck would you want to do that? I asked you nicely, Monica. I even offered you an equitable trade. Now you’ll do it because I told you to.”

“Excuse me?” Monica gaped as if she regarded a stranger. “I’m not some whore at your beck and call, Evan. And I refuse to be treated like one.” Her hands shook uncontrollably as she wrenched the five-carat Cartier solitaire off her finger and set it on the desk between them.

Evan’s voice was dangerously soft, his words slow and overartic-ulated. “I placed that ring on your finger, Monica. You have exactly ten seconds to put it back on.”

“Or what?”

His eyes turned to ice, and his mouth compressed. “Don’t challenge me, Mon. You’ll be sorry if you do.”

“You know, I believe this trip to Vegas might be just what I need.” Abandoning the folders sitting on her desk, Monica continued packing up her laptop.

“Put the ring back on.”

Monica snatched her purse out of her desk drawer.

“You’re making the biggest f*cking mistake of your life.”

“Really?” She shouldered her purse. “At the moment, it feels like my biggest mistake was accepting your proposal.”

“Is that so? Well, sweetheart, if you walk out that door, I can promise there’ll be nothing left for you to come back to.”

She paused. His threat was real enough. He owned a managing share of the firm and even her apartment building. One word from Evan could mean both termination and eviction. On top of that, he could destroy her credibility and her career, but she’d be damned before she’d let him bully her. She was Tom Brandt’s daughter, after all.

“You presume a lot, Evan.” Forcing her lips into a smile, she met his glower with her own steely stare. “Who says I intend to come back at all?”





Chapter Three


Las Vegas, Nevada



Red-eyed and restless, Ty paced the corridors of Desert Springs Medical Center. Guilt and concern weighted his shoulders into an uncharacteristic slump. Why the hell hadn’t he recognized what was happening? He’d been too damned preoccupied with himself. That’s why.

Tom had collapsed in the parking lot right in front of him only moments after they’d exited the restaurant. Earlier he’d mistaken Tom’s slight slur and sloppy smile to alcohol, not knowing until later that Tom hadn’t imbibed anything stronger than mineral water.

With his heart in his throat, Ty had made the 9-1-1 call, only to stand by completely helpless until the first responders hauled Tom off in an ambulance. Everything that ensued was just a blur. The only thing he knew was that the man who’d been like a father to him had nearly died before his eyes. The thought shook him to the core.

It was late. A number of nurses and support staff flitted from room to room like bees in a hive, but none paid him any heed. “Please, ma’am,” he inquired of the lone secretary staffing the nurse’s station. “I’ve been waiting here for hours. Can you tell me any news about Tom Brandt?”

“Are you family?” She sized him up and down. Standing six four without the boots, he was used to that.

“Not exactly. I’m a close friend. My name’s Ty Morgan. I was with Tom when it happened.”

“I’m very sorry, Mr. Morgan, but only family members are allowed in the critical care units.”

Ty set his jaw. “If you’re asking me to leave, you’re gonna have to call security to drag my ass outta here. I’m not going anywhere until I know what’s happening with Tom.”

“Again, I apologize, but I can’t give you any details without his daughter’s permission.”

“Has anyone been in touch with her yet?”

“Yes. Dr. Chen spoke to her earlier. She’s on her way.”

He was glad to know Monica was flying in, but she was coming all the way from New York. Although his bond with Tom was as strong as blood, only Monica was his true kin. There was no denying that. He just hoped to God Tom held on until she arrived.