Ramsey Security (Ramsey Security #1-3)(80)

"I still don't like when a threat gets that close to our client. What do you want to do?"

"I want to set traps around the edge of the property especially in the back where anyone can access without line of sight from the road. Those two adjoining ranches are uninhabited, making them perfect for a target to access the Sloane place."

"What kind of traps?"

"What kinds are legal?"

"I'm not sure any are."

"Not even for animals?"

"I'll check, but probably not. Despite the distance from Houston, the ranch is still considered suburbia. They frown on leaving traps out where innocent people can lose a limb."

"Innocent people aren't my target."

Rafael gives me a sly grin. "The law is a bitch, ain't it?"

"What if we shoot them in the back and dispose of the bodies?"

"Might work."

We share a slight smile and fall into silence. I look around his swanky apartment and wish I bought a place with such space. The view is nice too especially at night. For too long, I've followed my mother's "less equals more" philosophy.

"Do you find me cold?"

"Yes," he says casually. "I don't think you've ever had a reason to be hot."

Nodding, I think of Minka's temper. Reacting rashly makes no sense to me. I might be cold, but my lack of emotion has kept me alive. Plus my bare minimum expectations led to me making a large sum of money now stashed away. Also unlike my mother, I haven't killed anyone innocent.

"Do you think I'm capable of being hot?"

"I think you're capable of being anything you want, Saskia. You're a tiny woman feared by scary men all over the world. I once scared off a f*cker by saying Little Maven was coming for him. He wasn't afraid of me, but you scared the shit out of him. Yeah, I think you can run as hot as you want."

I smile obligingly at his compliment. "What if running hot puts our client in danger?"

"It won't. You've been professional for too long to forget so quickly."

"You hope."

"If you feel like you're losing your perspective, tell me and I'll adjust the security schedule."

"I feel ridiculous even discussing this with you."

"Brad Sloane is a pretty man. I'm not surprised you noticed."

"Pretty," I mutter.

"Everyone likes pretty things, Saskia," Rafael says, winking at me. "No shame in being human."

I ignore his teasing. "Did you feel weak when you fell for Harlow?"

"No, I felt invigorated. Might be a size thing, though."

Sliding off the stool, I flip my hair dismissively while he laughs at me.

"You're not helpful."

"You should ask for dating advice from Harlow or Minka. If you want to know about killing, come to me."

"If you want to be useful then figure out how we can legally hobble anyone prowling around the property," I say, leaving the kitchen. "Or give me the go ahead to kill the targets and dispose of their bodies."

Rafael follows me to the door. "Be careful out there. I know these cult freaks are amateurs compared to what we're used to, but fanatics should never be underestimated."

"I underestimate no one. This is why I prefer to shoot first."

"Good enough. Be careful and don't be afraid to call for help."

Nodding, I leave him to his day at home with Harlow. I don't know what to do with myself afterwards. Only a few hours have passed, and returning too soon might make me seem desperate.

I sit in my car and struggle for something to do rather than return to the Sloane house. Soon I drive, hoping to find a distraction before I reach the estate's front gate. I find none and arrive at the house only two hours after leaving.

When Minka meets me outside the house, I assume the worst.

"What's wrong?"

"The dogs love me. I heard they hate you. Wonder why?"

Glaring at her smiling face, I ask, "Did you throw yourself at our client?"

"Yes. We humped the entire time you were gone. Wait, do you not like sharing?"

"I don't find you funny."

"How come you and I never bonded?" Minka asks, bumping me playfully. "With our history of cold mothers and blood money, we're like twins. I'm Arnold, and you're Danny, of course."

I stare at her until she sighs. "You need to get yourself a Netflix subscription and catch up with the millions of movies you've missed."

"I don't enjoy movies."

"Brad does," Minka says, following me to the front door. When I pause on the porch, she presses against my back. "He has an extensive collection of spooky movies. You should ask him about it."

"Leave me alone."

"Why?"

Frowning, I shrug. "I'm not sure really. I chose to dislike you at some point, and I've seen no reason to alter my decision."

"I'm a great friend. We can gossip on the phone about boys."

"Did you happen to keep an eye on the perimeter in between talking about movies with Brad?"

Minka wraps an arm around me before I can walk inside. "He likes you," she whispers be-fore letting me go.