Steal the Day (Thieves #2)(64)

“Now, kiss your wife,” Dev commanded quietly. “Like you mean it.” I shot Dev a surprised look, but his face was bland, like this was an ordinary situation. “Don’t get stubborn on me, Zoey. It’s only a kiss, and it will spare us all so much trouble later.”

Daniel looked apprehensive, but I walked into his arms and let his lips find mine. It wasn’t our most passionate kiss, but I still felt his warmth. Then it was over, and Dev looked down at me. He smiled a slow, seductive smile. He kissed me, snaking his hand through my hair, leaving no one confused about his intentions.

“I had to watch that, why?” Daniel nearly growled the question.

“Because we’re creating an illusion, Daniel. Now we all go upstairs.” Dev gestured toward his second floor office.

“Why are we going upstairs?” Daniel asked, very confused since this scenario wasn’t playing out as he’d obviously planned.

Dev’s green eyes rolled, his frustration evident. “Keep your voice down. We’re going upstairs because I don’t want to do this in front of everyone, you imbecile.”

“Look man, if we go upstairs now people are going to think…” Daniel started.

“Yes, that’s what they’re going to think, and in one swift move, you go from cuckolded husband to a man of some exotic tastes. One is pathetic. The other is infinitely more interesting. It’s your choice, Daniel. Now, Zoey, take your husband’s hand and try to look like you’re leading him to the Promised Land.” Dev took my hand and started toward the stairs that led to his office. Daniel slipped his hand into my free one, and the three of us made our way through the very interested crowd.

“Boss.” The bouncer at the stairs acknowledged Dev. He smiled at me, but his eyebrows rose at the sight of Daniel.

“Mike,” Dev replied as the bouncer let us up the stairs. “I think we’re going to require a few hours of privacy. Wouldn’t you say, Dan?”

“At least,” Daniel stammered.

Dev led us the rest of the way and used his card to open the door. I took one last glance at the crowd. Sure enough, there were very few people who weren’t watching us disappear into the office. Dev dropped my hand as he shut the door behind us. He took a deep breath and proceeded to take a seat behind his desk. He held out his hand, indicating the two seats in front of him. Daniel and I sat down because I don’t think either of us was sure of what else to do. I personally felt like I’d been called to the principal’s office.

“What the hell was that?” Daniel asked.

“That was me saving your ass because you were about to make a huge mistake,” Dev explained flatly. “I’ve watched you screw up long enough. I’m done. If you don’t start playing this thing smart, you’re going to get us all killed. I personally couldn’t care less if you choose to commit suicide, but it affects Zoey, and that is my business.”

Daniel’s face flushed. I knew he didn’t like me being Dev’s business. “I didn’t come here to talk to you, Quinn. I came here to talk to my wife.”

Dev slapped a hand on his desk. “You came here to have a knockdown, dragout with your wife in a public forum. Rule number one in a royal court is this: Keep your problems behind closed doors.”

Daniel looked at me like I knew what the hell Dev was talking about, but I was in the dark, too. He’d been very pensive since we returned from our trip. He hadn’t been distant. To the contrary, he lathered affection on me at every given opportunity. He seemed happy I was staying at his place. He took time from his business to have dinner with me each night and to sit and watch whatever I wanted on television. He was trying to keep that boyfriend promise he made to me. It was nice, but the whole time I could see he was thinking. I had a suspicion I was about to find out where his mind had been.

“I am going to make you an offer, Daniel.” Dev sat back, and I wondered if this was the way he dealt with vendors and business contacts and employees. There was nothing teasing or reckless about him now. He was all business. “I’m only going to make the offer once. If you refuse, I’ll take Zoey where she wants to go and you can do this on your own.”

Daniel waved his hand, a gesture for Dev to continue. Condescension was plain in his every move. “Please, let me hear this plan of yours.”

Dev’s long fingers made a thoughtful steeple as he spoke. “It’s not a plan. You already have a plan. It’s just obvious to me you don’t have the training to carry it to a successful conclusion. What I’m offering are my services as an advisor.”

Daniel threw his head back and laughed. “What the hell am I supposed to learn from you, Dev? I’m not going into the nightclub business. I suppose you could teach me how to dress like a metro douchebag.”

“You have no idea who I am, do you, Daniel?” Dev asked, and I was surprised because there was no small amount of sympathy in his voice. “God, this is worse than I thought. Everyone keeps assuring me you’re a highly intelligent man, but if you don’t even have a file on me, I’ll have to disagree.”

“Why would I have a file on you?”

Dev got up and took out a key. He walked to a large filing cabinet. Dev pulled out a fat file folder and tossed it to Daniel. I heard his shocked intake as he realized what it was.

“Know your enemies, Dan,” Dev said, settling back into his chair.